Overcoming an impasse or innovating urban policy? The role of social activism within conflictual urban regeneration processes in Southern Italy

This paper investigates the role of self-organization initiatives within conflicting urban planning processes. It draws on the debate developed around the use of the concepts of ‘trading zone’ and ‘boundary object’ in planning studies and focuses on a single case study: the regeneration of the Rossani barracks in Bari, Southern Italy. This long process is paradigmatic of current urban regeneration processes in relation to the plurality of actors involved and the projects developed. It allows for a general reflection on the implementation of solutions belonging to different strategic viewpoints, enabling impasses to be overcome even when actors remain in conflict.