The Apulian University System and Urban and Youth Cultural Policies: Mapping of Resources and First Proposals for an Agenda

Velia Alba Polito; Giuliano Volpe

doi:10.6092/issn.3034-8544/16764

Authors

Velia Alba Polito Department of Humanistic Research and Innovation (DIRIUM), University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’

Velia Alba Polito, PhD, is an archaeologist, research fellow at the University of Bari for the Horizon Europe 'Chlipeos' project on the themes of the relationship between Archaeological Heritage, Landscapes and Communities for Inclusion, Participation, Education, Employment and Sustainability.

Previously, she was a research fellow for the 'Puglia Regione Universitaria' Project for which she worked on the relationships between the university system and urban and youth cultural policies.

Among her lines of research is the construction of an integrated methodology of investigation between archaeology and restoration on coverings (mosaics and plasters) and artifacts.

She is author of the publishing house Gius. Laterza & Figli S.P.A for which she has produced art-historical and cultural heritage manuals and teaching apparatuses.
Giuliano Volpe Department of Humanistic Research and Innovation (DIRIUM), University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’

Giuliano Volpe is full professor of archaeology at the University of Bari. He has taught at the University of Foggia, of which he was rector (2008-2013). He teaches Archaeological Research Methodology at the Italian Archaeological School in Athens.

Formerly President of the Higher Council 'Beni Culturali e Paesaggistici' of MiBACT and then advisor to the Minister of Culture for education and training, he presently is President of the University Council for Postclassical Archaeology and of the Federation of University Councils for Archaeology. He is membre du Conseil Scientifique de l'Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales, CNRS, Paris.

His latest books include: Patrimonio al futuro (Mondadori-Electa 2015), Un patrimonio italiano (Utet 2016), Il bene nostro. Un impegno per il patrimonio culturale (Edipuglia 2019), Archeologia pubblica (Carocci 2020), Passeggiate archeologiche (Edipuglia 2021 e 2022).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.3034-8544/16764

Keywords:

University Policies, Cultural Resources, Community, Citizenship, FARO Convention, Participation, Education

Abstract

The study of the theme “The role of Universities in Urban and Youth Cultural Policies”, within the “Puglia Regione Universitaria” project, was based on the mapping of the cultural resources available in Apulian universities, carried out to assess their accessibility by the university community, their permeability to citizens and their role in terms of improving the quality of urban life.

The survey focused on the direct and active role that Universities play in promoting and producing resources in various areas of culture, in order to estimate their impact on the urban cultural scene and their ability to involve students in the organization and management of cultural events and resources.

The critical issues that emerged from the survey, considered from the perspective of both the referents and students, tend to converge on some recurring problems. These weaknesses were the starting points for the development of a set of proposals for improvement as part of a right-to-education agenda focused on culture.