Cultural sustainability and territory: are art residencies a model?

The thesis aims to explore whether artistic residencies can represent a model of cultural sustainability by analyzing their impact on communities, territory, and tourism. Through the case studies of Lavanderia a Vapore in Turin and the Oltrepasso project in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, key concepts such as integral ecology, cultural districts, creative class, villages, and co-housing are examined. The history of artistic residencies is also reviewed, with an emphasis on the current limited state of research, highlighting the need for further studies across all types of residencies. The core analysis focuses on whether these practices can effectively promote social cohesion, territorial regeneration, and sustainable cultural tourism. In the case of Lavanderia a Vapore, the investigation explores its potential for community engagement and the use of urban spaces for cultural activities. Conversely, the Oltrepasso project focuses on the regeneration of semi-abandoned villages through artistic residencies, promoting co-housing and local development through cultural tourism. Finally, the research seeks to determine if such models can be replicated in other contexts, contributing to the creation of new cultural districts and the revitalization of struggling territories. The study aligns with the goals of the PNRR, exploring the potential for sustainable cultural and territorial development based on the interaction between artists and local communities and the integration of art with territorial resources.