Networks and cities' news

ARCHETHICS: The value of complexity of dissonant heritage

The urban landscape contributes to the full exercise of civil rights: the right to city, the right to nature, the right to culture . Salvatore Settis

ARCHETHICS: NEWS FROM THE NETWORK. What happened during this Network quarter?

What happend from June to October 2025?

Despite the summer break, the past few months have been busy ones for the Archethics network. The preparation of the final product is nearing completion and the partners are now busy with the final tasks. The last core network meeting was held in Leipzig and the project partners started to organise at local level testing actions, dissemination project event and last meetings with the URBACT Local groups. In this article we will explore the pilot actions developed by Vila Nova de Cerveira and Cesena are shared as well as the first readynetwork output: the outline of a digital archive of dissonant heritage.

Creating a digital archive for ARCHETHICS

Within the ARCHETHICS network there is the aim of creating a digital archive where it will be possible to find information on Dissonant Heritage in their cities, and linking it with the 4 project dimensions of History, People, Ethics, and Architecture that are at the core of archetics. This digital archive will be developed collectively between the partners and serve as a central platform for collecting, documenting, analysing and sharing information relating to dissonant legacies in their European cities, in order to ensure the preservation, accessibility, and management of the selected data. The concept of the digital archive has been created by the ad hoc expert Marion Cugnet.

ARCHETHICS: NEWS FROM THE NETWORK. What happened during this Network quarter?

What happened during this Network quarter?

From January to May 2025, many things happened and evolved during the network meetings. Among the most relevant developments, The Archethics network accelerated the drafting of the Integrated Action Plans on dissonant heritage and cities started some testing actions, as we will see in the case of Permet and Betera.

Mid-Term Reflection and Integrated Action Plan: Progress and Future Perspectives

From October to December 2024, the ARCHETHICS Network focused on delivering the Mid-Term Reflection, a crucial milestone in evaluating project progress and refining strategies. This phase has enabled partners to accelerate the drafting of the Integrated Action Plans (IAPs) and initiate testing activities that contribute to sustainable urban development.

A Reflection about ARCHETHICS mid-point project

The ARCHETHICS Network, led by the Municipality of Cesena, is dedicated to addressing Dissonant Heritage in European cities by fostering awareness, community engagement, and urban regeneration initiatives. At its Mid-Term Reflection, held in Portugal in November 2024, the network assessed progress, highlighting successes such as increased public involvement, cross-European collaborations, and pilot activities that tested new approaches to heritage sites.

Key achievements include improved knowledge of dissonant heritage, strong stakeholder participation, and partnerships with universities and cultural institutions. However, challenges remain, including political resistance, funding shortages, and difficulties accessing some heritage sites. To overcome these obstacles, ARCHETHICS has proposed actions such as a Political Board Meeting, funding strategy workshops, a digital archive, and enhanced local communication. The overall outlook remains positive, with cities committed to advancing the project’s objectives.