Urban design in small Italian historical centres in the post-pandemic era. Hypothesis in the historic centre of Priverno, Italy

The pandemic crisis has opened a new definition of the relationship between people and urban space, requiring a reconsideration of interpersonal connections and closeness and distance concepts. Consequences of physical distancing brought new perspectives of territorial hierarchisation, highlighting minor historical centre’s role. Social distancing accentuated inequalities issues between cities and marginal villages. However, this situation could also be considered a chance of “redemption” for less accessible urban areas as a start point for interrogating us about new habits of living space, especially open public spaces. This paper discusses reducing depopulation in the historic centres of little Italian villages, focusing on the open spaces design. Key aspects of this reasoning are the small dimension and the network of urban and architectural interventions, here called “pocket projects”, in the historical urban texture (historic centre Priverno as a case study). Open space is also considered in relation to the inhabitants. Its use depends mainly on its quality and ability to encourage people to enjoy being there. The allocation of the pocket projects can represent a different level of the physical network of social relations in the historic centre.