The Integrated Territorial and Urban Conservation (ITUC) course has successfully concluded in Urbino, marking the revival of this landmark ICCROM capacity-building programme after 22 years.
Over two intensive weeks, 16 heritage professionals came together to tackle today’s most pressing urban heritage challenges and chart pathways towards sustainable development.
Through nine in-depth modules, participants explored key themes, including: values and attributes, risk assessment and disaster risk management, legal and planning frameworks, climate action, tourism, socio-economic dynamics, and impact assessment.
Learning extended beyond the classroom. Practical site visits to the Urbino buffer zone – organized in collaboration with the local association Clivio Fiorito, the Bruno Cerboni Bajardi Academy, and the Guado Lab – brought theory to life, offering first-hand insights into the interplay between tangible and intangible heritage, community engagement, and sustainable development.
Group work encouraged participants to develop forward-looking recommendations for enhancing Urbino’s management plan, with special attention to the city’s future General Urban Plan. Their proposals highlighted the importance of integrating disaster and climate risk management strategies and improving impact assessment processes. Individual exercises further enabled participants to adapt ITUC methods to their own heritage contexts, reinforcing the course’s global relevance and practical applicability.
The Municipality of Urbino, in collaboration with the Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, ERDIS Marche, and local associations, provided strong support, ensuring the smooth delivery of the course.
For the next step, ICCROM plans to publish the course summary report and foster continued exchange among participants, ensuring that ITUC 2025 serves as a catalyst for a growing global network of professionals working to strengthen urban heritage as a foundation for sustainable development.