Spaces of cultural contamination. Creative places of sociality, integration, inclusion

Abstract

The well-being of the person is closely linked to the spaces in which they live and the resources they access. The recent slogan and urban paradigm "happy city and healthy city" bring attention back to the person and investigates the role of the built environment, individual, social and cultural well-being, as indicated in the sustainable development objectives of the 2030 Agenda. However, combining the city with the health and well-being of citizens requires an overall vision. It is necessary to graft a plot that can create - through resilient planning - interconnected and engaging open spaces, open and multiform specialized areas and, at the same time, incorporate pre-existing places and buildings in the city, safeguarded in their identity, but related and used in an innovative way. The interventions already carried out in some national and international urban realities confirm the importance and role of urban public space in the redevelopment of cities. Projects that promote architectural quality and favor a climate of social well-being and civil coexistence. In this study we will deal with the "rediscovery" of some urban squares in southern Sicily that reflect and identify the state of "health" of the cities, the work of local governments and reflect the "goodness" of business ideas. They are degraded urban areas, poorly cared for by the administrations, mainly used as parking lots. A good reason to transform them, in the near future, into places of cultural contamination and creativity.