The Urban-Italia programme in Bagheria

The Urban Programme stimulated innovation in urban practices through the introduction of the principle of integration. Integrating resources and partners is supposed to boost the effectiveness of urban regeneration programmes. At the initial stage, the Urban Programme seemed to promise significant financial resources; and, above all, some procedures that seemed to guarantee a degree of effectiveness and, although being complicated, a standard comparable to the highest European profile. Urban-Italia Bagheria has been a significant opportunity for urban regeneration, as well as for renewing the style of local governance. Moreover, the proposal’s design, made by professionals appointed ad hoc, insists upon a new vision for the area, impinging upon the re-use of the local heritage (Eighteenth century Villas); promoting new innovative projects and unconventional administrative action. The final results are considered successful in terms of the overall investment level, and the number and variety of initiatives implemented; above all, the programme succeeded in promoting and weaving new “bonds of trust” between citizens and institutions.