ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the case of Volterra22, which was awarded the title of first Tuscany City of Culture in the 2022-2023 period. The co-creation process involved in the cultural strategic planning related to the initial candidature is studied adopting the matrix of culture values elaborated in the UNCHARTED project. Then, the outcomes of the actual cultural programme organized by the city of Volterra are assessed via a participatory process involving stakeholders from the municipality and from cultural and economic actors of the territory, as well as the wider citizenry, and deriving recommendations for policymakers. Two control cases are also considered to understand the role of culture values in strategic planning processes involved in the dossier preparation for competition for the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) 2027 in Portugal and in the United Cities and Local Governments Committee on Culture participatory evaluation processes for city cultural programmes in Europe. Finally, reflections about the impact of cultural values on public strategic planning are provided, in light of future research.
