This article examines the role of cultural and archaeological heritage in sustainable development, focusing on Tekirdağ, a region of Türkiye with a particularly rich archaeological legacy in Eastern Thrace. The authors argue that museums function as vital public spaces that strengthen urban identity, raise awareness, and connect communities to a shared past through exhibitions and educational programmes. Against a backdrop of pressures such as rapid urbanisation, climate change and the illicit trafficking of artefacts, the study positions contemporary museology as a tool for safeguarding heritage while contributing to local culture, education and tourism. The first part reviews the significance of archaeological museums for sustainable development, drawing on international charters and the wider literature. The second part presents a concrete design proposal for an interactive archaeological museum in Tekirdağ, developed with architecture students at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University. The proposal integrates contemporary architecture with interactive exhibition techniques and digital technologies such as augmented reality and virtual tours, aiming to make the visitor experience more engaging, accessible and inclusive. The authors show how such innovations can broaden public participation, support cultural tourism, and create local economic and educational opportunities while preserving heritage for future generations. Although grounded in a single Turkish city, the study is highly relevant at the Euro-Mediterranean scale, where shared archaeological and cultural heritage is a powerful basis for intercultural understanding and dialogue. By framing heritage as a living, participatory resource rather than a static collection, the article offers transferable ideas for museums and cultural institutions across the region seeking to connect diverse communities with their common Mediterranean past.