Vuoto al centro. Impiego e abbandono del patrimonio dei centri antichi Italiani

Italian historic centers have been at the center of cultural debate and governmental action for decades, resulting in extensive planning and regulation. Yet a close analysis of the demographic shifts and real estate dynamics over the last twenty years reveals a highly contradictory situation. This research aimed at investigating the state of Italy’s historic centers on the basis of demographic and settlement determinants. Analyses employing istat data on ten average-sized cities in northern Italy revealed significant results: assets have been gradually abandoned, population has declined, unexpected phenomena of reverse gentrification have appeared, enterprises have been significantly downsized, and public institutions have opted for new locations.