Digital Cultural Heritage and Smart Mobility in Genoa Beyond 2030. Integrated Approaches to Urban Regeneration

Abstract Genoa, a historic port city in northern Italy, is adopting smart city strategies to integrate cultural heritage with sustainable, urban mobility. This paper explores two interlinked initiatives: a digital regeneration project in the historic centre and a smart mobility plan focused on autonomous, electric transport. Although operating in different domains, the two initiatives are conceived as complementary components of Genoa’s urban strategy. Digital cultural heritage enhances cultural accessibility, while sustainable mobility ensures physical accessibility. Together, they outline an integrated model of urban regeneration beyond 2030. The first case, developed within the Genova Design Week “Metadistrict,” uses augmented and virtual reality to preserve cultural identity and involve community participation. The second outlines Genoa’s mobility vision beyond 2030, aiming to improve connectivity through inclusive, electric and intermodal transport tailored to the city’s topography. Both projects align with the UN 2030 Agenda and exemplify a context-sensitive approach to innovation. By blending heritage preservation with technological advancement, Genoa offers a model for historic cities seeking to harmonise tradition with progress, emphasising co-creation, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability as pillars of urban regeneration.