Geographies of the underused: reflections on the overlooked heritage in the Lake Albano waterscape (Italy)

Landscapes often contain elements that no longer serve a clear function, that fall into disuse over time and are progressively reclaimed by natural processes. In the absence of appropriate repurposing projects, the historical value of these artefacts remains largely unknown to the general public and, in the long term, risks being lost from the community’s collective memory. The article examines the challenges involved in reintegrating underused resources as active elements of community life. Lake Albano, near Rome, is taken as a case study to highlight missed opportunities in an area of high potential. Drawing on both desk-based and in situ research, this paper presents three histories of heritage that, while clearly visible, remain largely unrecognised. The findings suggest that underuse is not merely a spatial condition but a relational process, shaped mainly by governance fragmentation. This situation calls for integrated and forward-looking repurposing strategies.