2026 IEEE Workshop on Community-based Security for Urban Cultural Property ( CS-UCP)
Venice, Italy (hybrid event) • September 7–9, 2026
Urban cultural property faces increasing risks from vandalism, neglect, environmental pressures, disasters, and rapid urban change. Beyond institutional measures, effective protection requires the active involvement of local communities, whose everyday presence, knowledge, and sense of responsibility can contribute to identifying risks and strengthening heritage resilience.
This workshop explores community-based approaches to the security of urban cultural property, focusing on collaborative models that connect heritage professionals, public authorities, local organizations, and citizens. It will examine how participatory practices, community awareness, and informal networks of local engagement can complement existing protection systems by supporting prevention, monitoring, and timely responses to emerging threats.
Through the exchange of research, case studies, and practical experiences, the workshop aims to promote innovative and inclusive strategies for safeguarding urban cultural property, recognizing communities as active partners in building safer, more resilient, and sustainable urban environments.
Prospective authors are encouraged to submit previously unpublished contributions from a broad range of topics, which include but are not limited to the following:
› Community engagement and participatory approaches to cultural property security
› Local stewardship and shared responsibility for heritage protection
› Community-based risk identification, monitoring, and early warning systems
› Collaboration between communities, institutions, and authorities
› Neighborhood-based initiatives for heritage awareness and vigilance
› Digital tools and citizen science for participatory heritage protection
› Urban resilience and cultural property security in the face of emerging risks
› Governance frameworks and best practices for community-based security
Workshop Committees
Program Chiars
Enrico Gavagnin, Città Metropolitana di Venezia (IT)
Technical Program Committee
Emanuele Bellini University of Roma Tre (IT)
Gioacchino Zarbo, Guarda di Fianza (IT)