Digital geo-spatial approaches for managing and planning complex historic cities: a comparison between Italian and European study cases

The paper explores how digital geospatial infrastructures can support the management of archaeological heritage in complex historic cities, focusing on their role as operational planning tools rather than mere descriptive archives. Drawing on the case of Santa Maria Capua Vetere – a medium-sized city built over the ancient Capua – the research illustrates how GIS-based systems integrate archaeological, morphological, and regulatory data to guide regeneration within dense urban fabrics. The methodology compares Italian and European experiences (Pisa, Verona, Bologna, Siracusa, Thessaloniki, Granada, Dubrovnik, Nicosia, Lisbon), evaluating database structures, planning integration, operational uses, and governance models. Results show a progressive shift from static mapping toward dynamic, decision-oriented infrastructures that foster interoperability, transparency, and adaptive conservation. The study demonstrates that geospatial analysis enables cities to reconcile buried heritage with contemporary urban functions, providing a replicable framework for sustainable management, archaeological risk awareness, and cultural valorisation within stratified urban contexts. Keywords: digital geo-spatial approach, archaeological heritage management, historic urban cities, spatial data infrastructures, heritage-led planning and governance