New Approaches to Manage and Enhance 20th-Century Architectural Heritage Through Digital Archives

Abstract

This paper presents the initial findings of a research program funded by the EU Recovery Plan, which includes a doctoral project focused on promoting knowledge and enhancing contemporary architectural heritage through the creation of a digital archive dedicated to public works built in Genoa from 1945 to the present. Conducted in collaboration with national and international institutions, the research focuses on 20th-century architecture, a form of heritage often undervalued and in need of maintenance or refurbishment. In agreement with the Municipality of Genoa, the study begins with post-war museums, recognized for their national and international significance. These works are now facing the phase of renovation, and it is crucial to understand if and how their conservation and valorization can be combined with the adaptation needs. The project, based on the analysis of unpublished archival documents, aims to preserve materials otherwise at risk of deterioration and to support the development of a public documentation center. The archive enables the reconstruction of the museums’ complex histories, shedding light on design integrity, authorship, and transformation causes - key information for planned interventions. The critical selection, digitization, and dissemination of these materials will create a resource accessible to both scholars and the general public, fostering broader awareness of contemporary architectural heritage and its values.