Urban and Rural connection between global and local, between role and reality. What design can do to achieve the synergy?

Urban and rural terms have different significances with reference to the context and their relationship have changed over time according to socio-political changes, always in a dichotomous way. The latest studies overpass this dichotomy and propose multi-sectoral approach focusing on patterns of territorial continuity, which goes beyond boundaries. On the international level, Habitat II (1996) argued that "Rural and urban development are interdependent. In addition to improving the urban habitat, we must work to provide adequate infrastructure, public services, and employment opportunities to rural areas to increase their attractiveness, develop an integrated network of settlements, and minimize rural-to-urban migration. Small and medium-sized towns need special focus”. Nowadays in a globalized era, where the South and the North are interdependent, and where cities are growing exponentially, the Sustainable Development Goals, do not consider the rural but they have a strong focus on urban dimension. It is true that in 2010 more people live in urban than rural areas, and that in 2030, 60% of the eight billion inhabitants will live in cities, and moreover, in cities 70% of the economy is concentrated; 60% of the global energy consumption; 70% of the greenhouse gas emissions and 70% of the global waste. This is even more true in Europe, where 70% of the population live in urban area, with a polycentric model of cities of which Italy is a unique example (ASvis, 2016). The author is however convinced that a step back should be undertaken, and that the policies of the countries should be geared towards achieving a better synergic balance between urban and rural, thus reducing the pressure on cities, as promoted by Cork 2.0 European Conference on Rural Development (2016). In addition, the author discusses some examples of revitalization projects in rural areas in Italy that have contributed to this goal.