Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to introduce an innovative approach to the problem of the local development connected to the development of the eco-museums in Italy. The thoughts, the tools and the working method introduced in this paper are the result of a applied research project, carried out by Polytechnic of Milan and Lombardia Eco-museum Network.
The Eco-museum in Italy
An Eco-museum is a special type of museum focused on the identity of a place, largely based on local participation and aiming to enhance the welfare and development of local communities (De Varine 2005).
The eco-museums in Italy have recently developed with special characteristics than the eco-museums in other parts of Europe, South of America and Japan. But which is the difference between the Italian eco-museums and the eco-museum thinked by De Varine in France?
The Italian eco-museums have resumed the topic – territory, community and heritage- and they have created a new vision of their identity: the local community could use eco-museum as a “participatory process” for the local development, for the valorization of local resources, cultural heritage, tipical food, landscape etc.
Lombardia Region and the network of eco-museums
With the passing of Regional Law n.13 (2007), the Regional Council aims to develop eco-museums in the territory under its jurisdiction. Article 2 of the same law outlines the framework for the creation of a cultural network of eco-museums at a national and international level.
The Lombardia eco-museums form a young and dynamic network, driven by the eco-museum community and by the single museums that choose to join. The Network is a lively institution made up by individuals for other individuals, a venue where eco-museums can cooperate (with the support of Lombardia Regional Council).
The project between Polytechnic of Milan and Lombardia Eco-museum Network: an identity for the eco-museums in Lombardia
In the starting phase of its activity the Lombardia Eco-museum Network (LEN) needed some specifics tools for the communication and the promotion of the resources of the eco-museums in Lombardia (information guide for experts, small flyer and web site for family, tourists and visitors etc).
LEN has involved the University for the design of these communication tools. Partner of the project was Polidesign, a Consortium of Polytechnic of Milan for the applied research and creativity. The project team was composed of a young researcher, designer s and eco-museum experts.
The answer of the brief has been not only the design of the communication tools but also the creation of the identity for the network; the creation of some tools for services and for the life of LEN, the creation of the best practice for the cooperation inside the network of the eco-museum.
The result of the research activity has been the development of the tools and the strategic plan for the communication (inside and outside) of the LEN, through:
-Desk research (eco-museum in Italy and in the world);
-Interviews to the representatives of LEN;
-Sessions of brainstorming;
-The creation of some formats for the direct contact with Lombardia Eco-museums;
-specific activity of education for the eco-museum coordinators (participation to the process of construction of the tools).

References:
U. De Varine. 2005. Radici del futuro. Ed. Clueb
Bauman Z., Intervista sull’identità, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2003
Magnaghi A. 2000. Il progetto locale, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino

Keywords:

local development, applied research project, network, communication.