A strategy for the implementation of circular economy at urban level is a more effective dialogue between the cultural, social, economic and environmental sectors, with the co-creation of operational synergies, through the involvement of the territorial community. In the framework of Basilicata Heritage Smart Lab, a research project aiming to enhance the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Basilicata, a Southern Italy region, ENEA contributes to the activities of Work Package 4 “Basilicata Living Lab”, with the aim of building a more sustainable territory and society, through the circular economy approach within the cultural and creative setting. Specifically, this project proposes the engagement of consumers/citizens as active participants to achieve the circular transition. Such engagement is made possible by culture and creative industries, having both economic and societal roles. The pilot activities have been carried out through the implementation of a heritage smart lab, a multidisciplinary group of researchers, entrepreneurs, local government, active citizens and social innovators, in the city of Venosa, an ancient town in Basilicata. By leveraging coalitions of local actors, the pilot activity focused on the socio-cultural regeneration as the starting point to steer collective inquiry into their meanings and narratives and co-create new visions and utilization of public spaces. Awareness-raising efforts ended in a deeper understanding of the need to take actions rooted in the co-creation of new sustainable activities based on sharing economy, lengthening product life cycles through reuse, repair, re-manufacturing and re-furbishment. In this context, the participants, led by ENEA researchers, outlined the proposal of requesting, to the municipality of Venosa, a space to implement and spread circular economy activities for the local community. Throughout the smart lab approach, culture and creativity supported the engagement, helping to enrich social and cultural integration, consolidating, adjusting and providing new directions of urban development. © (2023), (Procedia Environmental Science). All rights reserved.

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