Preface. Rehabilitation of Traditional Heritage and Local Development (RTHLD) seminars

Since 2019, the Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST) of the Politecnico di Torino and the University of Turin, in collaboration with the Post-graduate School of Architectural and Landscape Heritage, has organized a series of seminars on the Rehabilitation of Traditional Heritage and Local Development (RTHLD). These events focus on the preservation of lesser-built heritage and its role in fostering local development through community-rooted rehabilitation practices. The seminars emphasize the integration of traditional building techniques with strategies for empowering local communities, preserving living landscapes, and promoting inclusive development. The series brings together NGOs, academics, and practitioners to share knowledge, engage in debates, and explore themes such as community empowerment, tourism, multidisciplinarity, and innovation. Each seminar includes lectures by NGO representatives, roundtable discussions, and collaborative exchanges, facilitating both practical insights and theoretical analysis. Through the seminars, an international network of NGOs has been established, fostering dialogue between practice and academia. This collaboration has contributed to the development of methodologies and strategies for sustainable heritage conservation and community revitalization in marginal areas. This publication extends the discussion, presenting concrete examples of high-quality practices and proposing a multidisciplinary framework to support community-driven initiatives. The work underscores the importance of bridging academic expertise with experiential knowledge, fostering a shared commitment to heritage preservation and community empowerment.