Two Paper Mill Valleys in Tuscany. One Evaluation Method: Ecomusée

The chapter addresses a range of key consideration on the evaluation of important former industrial contexts and the re-use of former paper mills. The two adjacent Pescia and Villa Basilica Valleys in Tuscany are today well known as former places of paper making. Both Valleys contain a wide range of landscapes and land uses and are characterised mainly by special natural features. Today, however, there is a very gentle industrial impact on the landscape, to be appreciated and preserved by identifying the appropriate regeneration solutions to be adopted. The proposed "ecomusée pattern" is intended to encourage development at a local scale improving existing social and economic conditions in both valleys, improving existing infrastructures, creatively reinterpreting tradition and encouraging tourism, whilst preserving the local identity and cultural and paying attention to the environmental conditions by protecting the existing rich natural features. The proposed ecomusée project has to be considered as a "new territorial pattern" for regeneration and environmental improvements, creation of new opportunities for considerable investments. It is an appropriate response for regeneration and management of such heritage and landscape setting.