Digital District for Design Innovation. A Site-Specific Project for Inclusive Urban Regeneration in Genoa’s Historic Centre

This contribution examines the role of digital innovation in enhancing cultural heritage through the development ofa digital Metadistrict in the historic center of Genoa, Italy. Building on a major urban renewal project led by the Department of Architecture and Design at the Università degli Studi di Genova in the late 20th century, this study explores how past transformations inform contemporary strategies for cultural and urban regeneration. The project, initiated under the guidance of architect Ignazio Gardella, revitalized part of the historic city center by promoting the reappropriation of public space and cultural employment. Today, leveraging smart technologies, the new initiative seeks to create a sustainable cultural district while preserving the area’s authenticity. This learning contributes to research on digital transitions in cultural heritage management, proposing an innovative model for integrating smart technologies into urban regeneration.