Participatory Strategies for Supporting Decision Making in Cultural Heritage Adaptive Reuse Interventions

Participation is a multifaceted process that has become increasingly popular in projects and scenarios where the needs of the community have to be included in the decision-making process. In the context of cultural heritage management, these approaches are essential to ensure that the perspectives of all stakeholders are reflected in the proposed strategies. This paper traces the participatory process employed in the design of new functions for Villa Carpeneto, a historic building in the metropolitan area of Turin, Italy. The objective was to involve local stakeholders in order to facilitate social learning and improve the legitimacy and effectiveness of the decision-making process. To explore possible scenarios for the reuse, the study adopted an integrated approach that combined several steps. It started with a historical review and an examination of the broader territorial context. This was followed by a participatory phase involving the local community. First, a workshop was organized to open a dialogue with local stakeholders. Later, a questionnaire was distributed to collect more structured feedback on possible future uses from residents. The findings highlight how involving communities in the decision-making process can support the sustainable reuse of heritage sites and strengthen the long-term value of shared planning.