The Building of Public Space and the Insurgent Citizenship in Palermo

Abstract

This paper examines how the absence of effective urban policies in Palermo has led to self-organised, bottom-up interventions in public space. Citizens and informal groups engage in actions ranging from physical and durable modifications to demonstration events and substitution of basic services, effectively shaping parts of the city outside formal governance structures. Using a narrative-based research method, the study categorises these actions and the organisational strategies underpinning them, including digital communication, local gatherings, and informal networks. The paper situates these practices within broader debates on insurgent citizenship and critiques the Creative City paradigm, arguing that durable creativity and innovation often emerge from grassroots initiatives deeply rooted in local culture.