Hidden Cities Urban Space, Geolocated Apps and Public History in Early Modern Europe

• Other Authors: Nevola, Fabrizio (Editor), Rosenthal, David (Editor), Terpstra, Nicholas (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2022
• Subjects: European history; General & world history; digital humanities; Florence; museum studies; public history; Renaissance Florence; urban history
• Online Access: OAPEN Library: download the publication; OAPEN Library: description of the publication

This groundbreaking collection explores the convergence of the spatial and digital turns through a suite of smartphone apps (Hidden Cities) that present research-led itineraries in early modern cities as public history. The Hidden Cities apps have expanded from an initial case example of Renaissance Florence to a further five historic European cities. This collection considers how the medium structures new methodologies for site-based historical research, while also providing a platform for public history experiences that go beyond typical heritage priorities. It also presents guidelines for user experience design that reconciles the interests of researchers and end users. A central section of the volume presents the underpinning original scholarship that shapes the locative app trails, illustrating how historical research can be translated into public-facing work. The final section examines how history, delivered in the format of geolocated apps, offers new opportunities for collaboration and innovation: from the creation of museums without walls, connecting objects in collections to their original settings, to informing decision-making in city tourism management. Hidden Cities is a valuable resource for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars across a variety of disciplines including urban history, public history, museum studies, art and architecture, and digital humanities.