TRACK 2 CULTURE: Reinterpreting the spatial value of culture, heritage and tourism 
Stefania Ragozino (National Research Council of Italy IRISS, University of Naples, Italy)
Antonio Jose Salvador (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
Anastasia Sinitsyna (University of Tartu, Estonia)

It is argued that culture, heritage and tourism can play a relevant role in planning. This is demonstrated in a high number of policies, practices, European projects, theoretical and methodological approaches recognizing these elements as resources for sustainable development of territories.  

While encouraging experiences demonstrate that culture can be a perfect driver for regeneration, sustainable development and economic prosperity, a marked plurality of failures, contradictions and knowledge gaps were reported. The latter are related to different and complex issues in which various themes overlap such as diversity, cultural and social inclusion, territorial imbalances, economic and environmental sustainability, governance, and education.  

Along the transitional current moment that we are living in terms of ecology, technology, competitiveness and growth, the challenges and crises posed –health or climate hazards, interruptions in economic growth, political upheavals and social transformations–are emphasising the necessity of reinterpreting spatial values of culture, heritage and tourism, which are able to go beyond conventional visions. Also, revisiting the public realm in light of recent global events is necessary to support both urban residents as well as tourists through resilient approaches. 

Track #2 CULTURE welcomes multidisciplinary contributions that will cross this slippery slope from theoretical, methodological, empirical (qualitative and/or quantitative) perspectives, to address one or more of the following topics: 

• Actors and engagement tools to promote culture and (material and immaterial) heritage for planning 

• Heritage-led regeneration initiatives and Heritage communities 

• Culture, public space and spatial justice 

• Newly emerged cultural practices and business models as response to pandemic 

• Transition towards online: traditional vs new locational patterns of arts and culture 

• Revisiting tourism and its management in relation to planning 

• Inclusive governance and management models for traditional, marginalized, and non-touristic heritage sites  

• New digital tools, transferable, interdisciplinary and transversal competences to cope with culture, heritage and tourism challenges 

Keywords: culture, heritage, tourism, public space, spatial justice, cultural practices