The cities of Reggio Emilia and Modena, Italy, have launched an innovative handbook guiding local authorities in identifying and mapping their “places of diversity”, the physical and social spaces that foster cultural interaction, dialogue, and inclusion.

Developed as part of the 2025 Intercity grant awarded under the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Programme, the handbook serves as both a step-by-step manual and an inspiration for cities and regions seeking to transform diversity into opportunities for education, social cohesion, and local development.

Through the use of digital and interactive mapping tools, the project highlights how established urban spaces such as places of worship, multicultural businesses, and language schools can become vibrant hubs for intercultural exchange. By recognising the dynamic nature of these places and the stories behind them, the handbook empowers city leaders, planners, and community groups to understand and build on the diversity advantage in their neighbourhoods.

This practical guide is now available to cities and regions across the ICC network and beyond, to use mapping as a key tool for developing placemaking strategies and practices.

Handbook on mapping places of diversity: English | French | Italian