HeritACT

Commencing from the industrial cultural heritage and the public space of Eleusis and a priority on participatory design with the community, the 2023 Eleusis European Capital of Culture, in collaboration with the University of Patras, the University of the Aegean, the Municipality of Eleusis, and the cultural management and production company MENTOR, present on Tuesday, March 19, at Cine Eleusis, the research project HeritACT. A three-year European program that aims to bridge the past with the future of the city through the use of nine (9) specially designed digital applications and the creation of seven (7) innovative design and architectural solutions, which intervene in a mild and sustainable way in the urban fabric, serving the needs of citizens.

The project is implemented within the framework of the European Horizon program as a result of the collaboration of 15 partners from five countries, specifically Italy, Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Belgium, involving pilot areas of cultural and industrial heritage in three cities, Balinna (Ireland), Milan (Italy), and Eleusis. Specifically, the IRIS, the Old Olive Press, the Refreshment Area, Cine Eleusis, the outdoor space OASI, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods: Bloko, Pontiaka, Symiaka, Synoikismos, and the IRIS workers’ housing. Universities, local government bodies, cultural organizations, and architectural firms from the aforementioned countries contribute expertise and unique know-how and collaborate with local communities through workshops and participatory methods, incorporating the latest perspectives into the project implementation.

The informational event HeritACT, taking place on Tuesday, March 19th at Cine Eleusis, in the presence of representatives of the partnership’s stakeholders, in Greece. It serves as an initial briefing on the project’s key actions, main objectives, expected outcomes, and the primary reasons for its implementation in Eleusis. Additionally, a sample of interactive digital applications will be presented.

Project Goals

The central pillar of the HeritACT approach is the involvement of local communities in planning and decision-making processes. This is achieved through the use of a set of digital tools and participatory methods that comprise the HeritACT toolkit. Tools such as ParticiMap, Hericraft, and DesignYourHeritage facilitate dialogue with the community, promote co-visioning, and provide platforms for co-design and co-implementation of proposed solutions in the city, both in digital and physical space. In this context, HeritHUB, a meeting, information, and collaboration space tailored to the project’s needs, will operate on the Eleusis beach at the Refreshment Area.