Urban Regeneration through Integrated Strategies to Tackle Inequalities and Ecological Transition: An Experimental Approach

Liliana Leone, Gaetano Giunta, Marco Giunta, Domenico Marino () and Andrea Giunta
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Gaetano Giunta: General Secretary Fondazione Messina, Forte Petrazza—Camaro Sup, 98151 Messina, Italy
Marco Giunta: EcosMed Csrl Department of Action-Research, Forte Petrazza—Camaro Sup, 98151 Messina, Italy
Domenico Marino: Department of Heritage, Architecture and Urban Planning, University Mediterranean of Reggio Calabria, Salita Melissari, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Andrea Giunta: Responsible Information Services, Fondazione Messina, Forte Petrazza—Camaro Sup, 98151 Messina, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: Cities have a growing role to play in ensuring environmental transition while addressing issues of social inclusion and social sustainability. The aim of this study was to evaluate a multidimensional policy of the city of Messina, in southern Italy, aimed at experimenting a sustainable model of urban regeneration to overcome its shantytowns after the 1908 earthquake. The impact indicators of a pilot program of urban generation were collected in terms of environmental, social, and economic criteria, while the real experiment focused on the mechanisms of choice related to the housing of extremely marginalized people. In the end, two slums were demolished, and 205 households had a home without additional land consumption. Attitudes toward social cohesion were measured through 29 interviews and the administration of a pre–post structured test. According to the individual payoffs over time, it is possible to correlate housing choice mechanisms with components not related to short-term economic rationality. The development of a positive attitude toward the future and trust in others are associated with the development of the riskiest option, which is also the one that can have the highest payoff. The program strategy reduced reliance on social welfare measures and enforced institutional capacity building and skills for sustainable urban development.

Keywords: social sustainability; housing; capabilities approach; redistribution; housing policy; social impact; choice (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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