Ricerca e analisi di buone pratiche per la valorizzazione dei siti archeologici nelle Aree interne

This paper presents the methodological framework and results of a systematic analysis of best practices conducted within the RESTART project, aimed at guiding the regeneration of archaeological sites in Italy’s inland areas. Rather than proposing ready-made solutions, the study critically examines existing projects to extract transferable strategies for local development rooted in cultural heritage. A multi-stage selection process – based on basic, impact, and relevance criteria – was applied to a corpus of 60 initiatives, leading to 24 shortlisted cases, 15 best practices, and finally 4 “RESTART Best Practices,” each aligned with one of the project’s thematic areas: Knowledge, Conservation, Enhancement, and Management. The analysis emphasizes methodological rigor, cross-source validation, and the conversion of qualitative insights into visual and comparative tools. The selected cases demonstrate effective combinations of research, public engagement, and strategic governance. At the same time, recurrent weaknesses – such as poor documentation, accessibility gaps, and institutional fragmentation – highlight the need for integrated planning. These findings underpin the RESTART guidelines, offering grounded, replicable actions for holistic site regeneration in marginal contexts.