The case of Rione Sanità. An example of bottom-up regeneration process

Abstract

Attention to, and investigation of, the phenomenon of culture and creativity as a source of urban regeneration process is now widespread. This thesis wants to contribute to the debate through the study of a concrete case: Rione Sanità in Naples. The district has had a nasty reputation for decades, considered one of the Italian most dangerous neighborhoods due to the presence of criminal associations. Thanks to some recent local initiatives aimed at enhancing the heritage, it has started and successfully completed an urban regeneration process. The aim of the research is to demonstrate how completely bottom-up redevelopment initiatives can be considered a valid alternative to top-down strategies embedded in urban planning contexts. In doing so the case has been analyzed and presented taking into account its historical background and proceeding with a 'narrative' of the key events that triggered the regeneration process. To contextualize and introduce the case study an overview of the existing literature, both for theoretical concepts and concrete examples, has been undertaken and will be summarized in the first two chapters.