The CoE/ EU Joint Project COMUS – “Community-led Urban Strategies in Historic Towns” addressed a number of challenges and demonstrated how cultural heritage and its regeneration can provide opportunities for the financial, social and cultural development of historic towns. It offered  a starting point to apply an alternative approach, based on a strategic and structured process, focused firmly on community needs and interests. 

Officially finalised in June 2017, this initiative also introduced approaches embedded in the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, the “Faro Convention”, 2005. In this article the methods and methodology used are explained, to clarify the scope, structure and process involved, in a detailed and systemic overview.