Historical network of Cultural Heritage for the regeneration of the contemporary city

The paper aims to investigate the cultural heritage role relating to the contemporary city. In particular, it analyses some case studies where planning highlights the role of “historical network”, where the cultural heritage is a strategic component, useful to regenerate the contemporary city and to rebuild the collective identity. The contemporary city influences the concept of heritage because its shape and topics (e.g. urban sprawl, environmental fragmentation, traffic and pollution, etc.) are a hazard for the preservation of historical values (i.e. abandoned historical centers, fragmented signs impressed on the palimpsest, dispersion of local cultures). However, it is the place where rediscover the traces of today’s identity. Today, new policies and strategies are promoted to regenerate the contemporary city. These historical traces could represent an implementation of theme. In particular, they are a network of different values useful both to protect what already exist (even giving a new meaning to them) and to re-shape the contemporary city (homologated, trivialized), integrating conservation and innovation, socio-economic revitalization and socio-cultural enhancement. The historical network is important because it preserves the historical features theme self, but also their relationship and, at least, the continuity of social evolution. This network of values (often unusual) is both the material and immaterial dimension of the public space where the contemporary society could enhance its identity.