Abandoned ancient villages: “new empties” in the Metropolitan Cities. The case of Genoa

Abstract

In our country, the example of dereliction and not valorized Cultural heritage are numerous. Special attention must be directed to the ancient villages. These villages have formed the basis of the demographic distribution of Italy at least until the years following the Second World War; in those years there has been a progressive emptying of the villages, their abandonment and their subsequent decline. The causes can be traced at natural and historical reasons. In reality, the framework is widest given that the degree of disposal of such heritages may be three levels: village completely abandoned, partially abandoned, abandoned with the founding of a new center. This topic, considering the size of the phenomenon, will become an important thematic to be addressed in some cases within the new metropolitan cities that from January 1, 2015 have replaced by the homonymous provinces. These new empty spaces created by the abandonment of the ancient villages will have to be planned and managed, as a resource, in the strategies of the new territorial realities. The paper, through the application of a specifically methodology, as part of an ongoing research, analyzes some experiences of ancient villages located within the metropolitan city of Genoa going to highlight strategies for recovery and enhancement.