SOCIO-CULTURAL HYBRID SPACES IN MILAN COPING WITH THE COVID19 PANDEMIC

Since 2012, the Municipality of Milan has promoted socio-cultural projects, and enhanced the diffusion of coworking spaces and innovative socio-cultural hybrid spaces (SCHSs). In 2022 Milan counts twenty-six SCHSs. These spaces are described as a type of third places and new working spaces. They offer essential services, focus on engaging in social innovation processes with the local communities, are mainly carried out by social innovators, 40 who can co-design and co-decide public policies. SCHSs also provide cohesion and social inclusion in the neighborhoods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SCHSs have developed and/or managed solidarity activities and welfare services, thus becoming more recognizable by the community. Within this context, this paper, through desk research, and in-depth interviews with stakeholders (community managers, users, and policy makers), describes these spaces, the offered services, and the services that have been developed and/or managed to sustain the inhabitants of the neighborhoods in Milan during the COVID-19 pandemic.