As part of the project “Ivrea, Industrial City of the 20th Century: Promotion, Enhancement, and Sustainability”, funded under Law No. 77 of 2006, the Municipality of Ivrea has commissioned Fondazione Santagata to develop an Interpretation Plan to support the 2025–2030 Management Plan for the UNESCO Site.

Context

Ivrea was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018 as an “Industrial City of the 20th Century”, recognized for its exceptional cultural significance tied to Adriano Olivetti’s industrial and social vision. The site covers approximately 71 hectares and includes 27 components, encompassing industrial, residential, and social buildings designed between the 1930s and 1960s.

The Visitor Centre, located along the main axis traversing the site, serves as a critical point of reference for both tourists and the local community. It houses a permanent exhibition illustrating the key features of the site, organizes guided tours, and hosts promotional events. Its role is particularly significant given the nature of the site: a collection of buildings spread over a wide area, mostly under private ownership, and therefore not freely accessible.

The managing body, the Municipality of Ivrea, is currently engaged in updating the site’s 2025–2030 Management Plan. As part of this process, the site is, for the first time, developing an Interpretation Plan.

Objectives

The Interpretation Plan provides a framework for the protection and promotion of the Ivrea UNESCO site, with the aim of making the site more accessible and comprehensible. It seeks to equip visitors and residents with tools to better understand and engage with its cultural, social, and economic values.

As an innovative tool aimed at local communities and site users, the Interpretation Plan represents a pioneering initiative, as its adoption among UNESCO sites remains limited.

Work Phases

The development of the plan included the following phases:

  • Engaging and consulting with the Municipality of Ivrea and key stakeholders to define the plan’s objectives;
  • Developing the Interpretation Plan and integrating it with other UNESCO site management tools;
  • Disseminating the plan’s content to relevant audiences.

Expected Results and Impact

The adoption of an Interpretation Plan for the Ivrea UNESCO site, “Industrial City of the 20th Century”, marks a critical step in enhancing and communicating the site’s heritage value.

Expected impacts include:

  • Greater awareness among local communities of the site’s cultural and social significance, fostering more active and informed participation in heritage safeguarding and enhancement initiatives;
  • Increased visitor numbers and cultural tourism, driving positive economic impacts for the local area;
  • Strengthened partnerships among local stakeholders, empowering them to act as interpreters of the heritage;
  • Development of a network of partners within the UNESCO Cities framework and collaboration with international actors in heritage interpretation and promotion;
  • Reinforcement of Ivrea’s cultural identity and its position as a model of innovation in heritage interpretation and enhancement.

Partner

Municipality of Ivrea (Site Management Authority)