Strategic design for the enhancement of cultural itineraries and related territories. “via regina”: A european cultural itinerary

Abstract

The research aims at strengthening the common identity of territories in Northern Lombardy (Italy) and Southern Ticino (Switzerland) by safeguarding and enhancing their common cultural heritage, identified in the historical net of pedestrian routes that cross and connect the regions involved. Therefore, owing to the synergy among cultural itinerary experts, administrations, landscape designers, geomatics engineers, architects and designers, the project allows to strengthen the common identity of these “pathways,” safeguarding and enhancing their cultural heritage through integrated initiatives aimed at providing information and communication to the public, thus fostering a greater knowledge and use of said territories. The ancient routes were studied on the basis of various values expressed by anthropic structures (transit and migration routes of populations, art and faith devotional paths, connections between villages in the valley and high altitude pastures, forestry and rural micro-economies, local food and wine production) and through the extensive use of ICTs, survey systems and a computerized management of the territorial and environmental information collected. Moreover, a systematic and strategic design was carried out with the aim to enhance the territorial and environmental contexts.