Abitare intergenerazionale: una definizione

Intergenerational living: a definition The paper proposes an operational definition of intergenerational living that goes beyond purely demographic criteria. Against the backdrop of ageing societies and growing youth precariousness, multigenerational cohabitation is increasingly common, yet remains weakly theorised and rarely supported by housing policies or design tools. Through the analysis of two recent European projects – Spiegelfabrik in Fürth (Heide & von Beckerath) and La Balma in Barcelona (Lacol) – the paper examines how architectural layout, spatial thresholds and collective facilities can host different life stages and vulnerabilities within ordinary housing complexes. Intergenerational living is described as a residential device able to integrate fragile subjects without resorting to specialised or segregated typologies, by combining flexible private units with a robust system of shared spaces and cooperative governance. The conclusion argues that such models can be read not only as a response to current social emergencies, but as a design horizon for future European cities.