Urban regeneration through informality: theories and experiences

This CIVIS course focuses on urban regeneration tools available to public institutions and local communities. It aims to analyze the various experiences of urban regeneration and civic participation. On one hand, it provides participants to interpret urban dynamics as well as the concept of "informality". On the other hand, field activities allow them to experience which legal innovations are involved in regeneration processes at the urban or municipal level.

On the theoretical side, the adopted perspective aims at mapping such phenomena out in order to reflect upon the institutional and social dynamics as well as to support practices of democratic citizenship. Moreover, the issue at hand fosters a strong interdisciplinary approach, as the urban dimension overcomes the traditional scientific fences. The course focuses on legal, political, sociological and economic tools in order to give students the ability to read and interpret urban dynamics. In particular, participants are encouraged to reflect upon the concept of “informality” as a leading factor to achieve “legal innovation” in the urban or municipal context. New sociological theories on the city, on its spaces, on the forms of citizenship and civic activism as well as the new theories of the territorial economy and local development will be highlighted.

On the empirical side, the course envisages on-field activities in Rome, in order to combine theoretical purposes and operational issues. Field activities are arranged in Rome, where students can explore several cases of civic urban regeneration. During the stay students: a) meet each other; b) share information about the real experiences to be visited; c) arrange the visit by the social actors; d) are keen to interview people; e) decide the framework of their final report. Professors from Athens, Madrid and Tübingen join the colleagues in Rome and take part in the field activity week. Once they go back home, students write a report and give a presentation virtually.