Fontana, Cassandra; Testi, Andrea; Allegretti, Giovanni; Zetti, Iacopo; Rossi, Maddalena (2025). Embedding justice into climate policies through participatory approaches: prospects and pitfalls toward community-based adaptation pathways in Bologna, Italy. CITIES, vol. 163, pp. 105998-106009.
Cities are at the front lines of climate change, yet adaptation policies are rarely neutral. They often have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable people. This study examines how urban planning can promote equity and democratic legitimacy in the face of the environmental crisis. Using Bologna as a case study, the research explores the role of Neighborhood Houses (Case di Quartiere). These spaces are more than just community centres; they act as ‘arenas’ where citizens can reclaim their voice. The goal is to challenge purely technical, “post-political” climate management and shift the focus towards participatory climate justice. Drawing on four years of co-design and observation, the paper demonstrates how these decentralised institutions can bridge the gap between civic movements and municipal authorities, fostering a fairer and more democratic approach to urban policy.