Stakeholder engagement processes within cultural heritage – Urbasofia’s experience

URBASOFIA is a town and regional planning company created in 2011 which provides European-wide expertise for urban development, policy design and territorial cohesion. The company conducts high-level academic research, applied studies and the implementation of concrete solutions aiming at a more integrated, participatory, realistic and smart-oriented approach to pressing urban problems, both socio-economic, as well as environmental. Leveraging on European structural funding for urban innovation, the company supports urban authorities to meet actual urban problems with the right tools, fitting flagship projects and piloting actions.

The scope of Urbasofia aligns closely with the objectives of the INT-ACT project through several key areas of expertise and mission focus:

Urbasofia's Scope and Mission:

1. Urban Development and Policy Design:
Urbasofia focuses on integrated, participatory, and smart-oriented approaches to urban development. This includes leveraging European structural funding for urban innovation and supporting urban authorities in addressing sustainable development challenges.

2. High-Level Academic Research and Applied Studies:
Conducting research and implementing concrete solutions for urban challenges. Engaging in urban regeneration, placemaking, mobility-related topics, and governance frameworks for collaborative actions.

3. Sustainable Urban Development:
Using cutting-edge technologies and strategic partnerships to envision resilient, efficient, and inclusive cities. Leading the transition towards sustainable urban development, focusing on climate change mitigation, quality of life enhancement, and promoting the circular economy.

INT-ACT Objectives:

1. Investigation of Immersive XR Environments (OB1):
This objective aims to utilize immersive XR environments to address societal challenges linked to intangible cultural heritage at tangible heritage sites. It involves investigating how past and present socio-economic, environmental, and experiential (3E) dimensions can be leveraged.

2. Knowledge Extraction and Presentation (OB2):
Developing methods to formalize knowledge of intangible cultural heritage associated with tangible sites. Utilizing semantic models and XR technologies for effective knowledge structuring and presentation.

3. Transdisciplinary Methods for Cultural Narratives (OB3):
Capturing and preserving human narratives linked to cultural heritage sites. Adapting and combining methods to compile and present these narratives, integrating them into broader urban development strategies.

4. Creation and Integration of Immersive XR Narratives (OB4):
Developing XR environments to present and narrate intangible cultural heritage. Using novel XR interaction techniques, alternative narratives, and audiovisual media to enhance cultural site experience.

Urbasofia’s role in INT-ACT:

INT-ACT will draw on the experiences of Urbasofia to deliver tailored plans and methodologies based on multi-level stakeholder models (such as the Quadruple Helix model) in order to engage relevant local actors. Urbasofia will enhance the stakeholder engagement process by employing participative methodologies and leveraging its extensive experience in co-creation actions. As a consortium partner, Urbasofia brings its research expertise in stakeholder involvement and community engagement. Its role in the project includes delivering customized plans and methodologies based on multi-level stakeholder models to effectively engage relevant local actors. Using participatory approaches, Urbasofia aims to bridge the gap between innovative tools, local needs, and global sustainability challenges.

The stakeholder engagement process is a transversal activity within INT-ACT, which implies that each Work Package explores the connection between its thematic and local networks of actors in a specific way. In Work Package 2 (Human Narratives), Urbasofia will develop a framework and methods for stakeholder engagement through the first two years of the project. In Work Package 4 (Future Societies), it will support Case Studies in developing and implementing pilot activities, investigate the relationship to societal challenges of importance facing humanity such as cultural tourism, aging societies, disappearing communities, and immigration and multiculturalism. Participative roadmaps will be customized for each of the Case Studies (e.g.: workshops, focus groups, etc). Urbasofia is also coordinating the Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB). The scope of the SAB is to provide external insight to the Steering Committee from the perspective of project stakeholders and assist INT-ACT to develop links with other stakeholders, such as grassroot cultural heritage associations (e.g., Scottish Community Alliance). The members of SAB will be selected in consultation with, and through the local contacts of the Heritage Sites. Considering the local ownership of intangible cultural heritage, the outcome will be evaluated and collaboratively processed with the local community stakeholders, using methods such as citizen observatory, thematic workshops and events with different target groups, and data-gathering through interactive online or in situ platforms, and visual digital boards.

Reference: https://www.consultant4companies.com/stakeholder-management-building-strong-business-relations/