The contemporary meanings of cultural heritage for a 'relational' spatial planning. The case of the “Il Quartiere dell’Arte” (The Art District) in the metropolitan city of Naples

Abstract

The research identifies some of the strategic planning policies implemented for the historic centre of Naples, analysing their proactive function in the enhancement, conservation and reuse of the built cultural heritage. The main objective is to evaluate the existence of conditions proving the function of cultural heritage and contemporary cultural production as drivers of strategic regeneration of the territory. The expected result is to contribute to the debate on the cultural-tourist planning of the territory, oriented towards the diversification of services and the fight against the process of touristisation. Through desk analysis and the consultation of primary sources, a brief outline is given of the historical process that led to the implementation of the general variant of the General Regulatory Plan in the old city centre of Naples, as well as some of the salient contents of the “large UNESCO project". Subsequently, the research analyses the project of "Il Quartiere dell’Arte" (The Art District), defining its addresses, needs and opportunities as a contribution to a relational, oriented and sustainable strategic territorial planning.