“Costruire accoglienza”. Il patrimonio culturale dei centri minori come occasione di rigenerazione urbana e sociale. In: A.M. Oteri, G. Scamardì (a cura di), Un paese ci vuole. Studi e prospettive per i centri abbandonati e in via di spopolamento

The progressive depopulation that has affected many small historic centers in last years has triggered heavy repercussions on the landscape, on the built heritage and on the identity of these places. Following the abandonment, the processes of "care" and protection of the territory, which are necessary condition for the conservation and transmission of places, are interrupted: the buildings gradually degrades, the nature reconquers spaces and those that once were vital places are transformed into fragile and vulnerable landscapes. Which strategies can be implemented to reserve this phenomenon? The contribution presents some reflections resulting from the research FARB 2016 developed by the authors at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies of Politecnico di Milano. "Building hospitality" means on the one hand acting on cultural heritage to enhance the places, protecting the identity elements but at the same time looking at contemporary models and, on the other hand, working on "communities", to create long lasting economies. The paper wants to give back centrality to the built heritage, starting from the idea that the regeneration process must start precisely from the places, by considering the heritage of the small centers as a dynamic resource that, if properly reactivated, may be able to generate the transformation.