MUSEUM MODERNIZATION, CULTURAL PRESERVATION, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SÃO PAULO PARAÍBA VALLEY

Abstract

Museums preserve the cultural memory of humanity, leveraging historical reflections and the exaltation of diversity in inclusive and representative spaces. In this scenario, it is investigated how interactivity and museum modernization can contribute to the preservation and appreciation of cultural memory, promoting sustainable development in the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba and the North Coast of São Paulo (RMVPLN). From a bibliographic approach and direct observations, the use of interactive technologies, such as augmented reality, audio guides, and educational applications, in the strengthening of museums as cultural, social, and economic agents are analyzed. The results demonstrate that technological resources, such as augmented reality, audio guides, and educational applications, have the potential to transform museums into more dynamic and attractive spaces, connecting diverse audiences to regional traditions and promoting sustainable cultural tourism. However, modernization faces significant challenges, including insufficient financial resources, lack of integrated planning, and structural limitations. In addition, the lack of representative narratives, especially of Indigenous and quilombola communities, restricts the potential of museums to promote social inclusion and strengthen cultural identities in the RMVPLN. Given this panorama, the need for coordinated efforts between governments, educational institutions, and civil society to overcome these obstacles and enable museum modernization is highlighted. By integrating cultural preservation and contemporary demands for inclusion, equity, and sustainability, such initiatives can consolidate museums as agents of regional transformation, contributing to the integrated and sustainable development of the region.