Syracuse hosts the conference “Ortigia, heritage of all: Strategies for sustainable tourism”.

The Ortigia Cittadinanza Resistente Committee organizes the conference "Ortigia heritage of all: Strategies for sustainable tourism", which will be held on October 21, 2024 at 18:00 pm at the Urban Center of Syracuse. The event aims to create an open debate between citizens, institutions and experts on the future of Ortigia, a UNESCO site, with particular attention to the sustainable management of tourism.

Ortigia, the historic heart of Syracuse, is at the center of crucial debates on the need to balance the preservation of cultural heritage with the challenges of mass tourism. The conference aims to start a collective reflection to explore solutions that guarantee the protection of the island and sustainable liveability for residents.

Speakers: Mariella Muti, former superintendent of Cultural Heritage of the province of Syracuse, which will retrace the path of urban recovery of Ortigia culminating in the UNESCO recognition, Emanuele Fidone, architect and professor of urban architectural design at the Faculty of Architecture, who will illustrate the Urban Sustainability Charter developed by the Committee, Davide Biondini, president of the Committee, who will present the results of the analysis on overtourism in Syracuse, Carlo Francini, head of the Florence World Heritage Office and site manager of the Historic Centre of Florence, who will share the experience of the management of the Florentine UNESCO site. The speeches will be concluded by Salvo Consiglio, councilor for the historic center of Syracuse, who will present the actions underway and those planned by the municipal administration for the enhancement and protection of Ortigia.

The conference will conclude with an open debate between citizens, institutions, trade associations and political representatives. The goal is to define a shared strategy on how to enhance and protect Ortigia in a sustainable way, respecting UNESCO directives and improving the quality of life of the local community.

This event represents an important opportunity to reflect on the future of Ortigia and identify concrete solutions that combine responsible growth and protection of cultural heritage.