Historical and Environmental Heritage as a Driver for Promoting Sustainability

This paper explores how historical and environmental heritage can serve as a catalyst for promoting sustainability, not only in environmental terms but as a multidimensional concept encompassing social, cultural and existential dimensions. Based on a theoretical interpretation of landscape as a cultural and symbolic construct, the paper reflects on a methodological framework for heritage-based territorial enhancement. Through three Italian case studies, it examines the interplay of community participation, institutional governance and technological solutions. The paper ultimately argues for a vision of heritage as a useful resource for future-oriented sustainability and shared hope, moving beyond its conventional understanding as an artifact to be viewed in mere nostalgic terms.