Cultural Heritage at a Crossroads: Sustainable Development and Digital Transformation

Abstract

This volume arises from the Blended Intensive Programme Challenges in Cultural Heritage: Sustainable Development and Digital Transformation, organised within the FORTHEM Alliance. The programme brought together students, academics, and professionals from several European universities to explore how cultural heritage can be responsibly managed amid technological advances and global pressures.

Developed through collaboration among the Universities of Palermo, Burgundy, Valencia, and Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, the programme created a dynamic environment for international and interdisciplinary exchange. Hosted in Valencia—both physically and virtually—it offered a setting where historical heritage and modern innovation coexist, illustrating how the past is constantly reinterpreted through contemporary needs and future goals.

The chapters compiled in this book examine the relationship between cultural heritage, sustainability, and digital transformation. Contributors discuss how to protect vulnerable heritage assets while promoting resilience, and how digital tools can reshape documentation, analysis, and communication. Through theory, case studies, and practical examples, the volume highlights both challenges and opportunities at the intersection of tradition and innovation.

The publication reflects the collaborative ethos of FORTHEM, enriched by diverse participants and intercultural dialogue. It underscores that the future of heritage depends not only on technology but also on shared learning and cooperation. This volume aims to inform and inspire readers to engage critically with the evolving field of cultural heritage and to contribute to shaping a sustainable future where heritage continues to benefit communities worldwide.