From Heritage to Well-Being: Public Orchestration and Civic Wealth Creation in Historic City Centers

This study explores how Public Administration (PA) can engage local communities in the governance of cultural heritage (CH) to enhance quality of life, using the Celio district of Rome as a pilot case study. A historic area near the Colosseum, Celio has been significantly affected by overtourism, leading to social and cultural disruption. Framed by the concept of Civic Wealth Creation (CWC), the research investigates collaborative dynamics among key stakeholders—communities, supporters, and entrepreneurs— facilitated by a public orchestrator. Employing an action-research methodology, the study evaluates the impact of the newly opened Archaeological Park and Museum in Celio. The paper argues that sustainable CH governance requires structured orchestration, community-centered design, and narrative integration to enhance urban well-being. Our findings offer actionable insights for public authorities and cultural institutions.