Assessing the impact of Cultural Heritage through a holistic perspective reflections from the application of the SoPHIA model

This chapter examines the use of the SoPHIA (Social Platform for Holistic Heritage Impact Assessment) model as an innovative approach to evaluate the multidimensional impact of cultural heritage interventions. Unlike traditional assessment methods, SoPHIA integrates diverse impacts across social economic, environmental and cultural domains within a participatory and longitudinal framework. To demonstrate the model's applicability, this chapter presents a detailed case study of Teatro Akropolis in Genoa, Italy, where the SoPHIA method was tested during the 2022-2023 period. The evaluation process, conducted in collaboration with cultural stakeholders, utilized a participatory framework to assess the theatre's impact on artistic production, community engagement, and audience well-being. The findings highlight the model's efficacy in fostering self-reflection among cultural managers, promoting greater transparency in decision-making, and strengthening participatory governance within the cultural sector. The chapter emphasizes SoPHIA's potential to enhance transparency and self-reflection in cultural management while also addressing challenges related to operationalization and resource demands.