Pecoriello, Anna Lisa; Zetti, Iacopo (2004). Alla periferia della periferia: progettando con i bambini del Vingone. In: G. Paba, C. Perrone. Cittadinanza attiva. Il coinvolgimento degli abitanti nella costruzione della città, pp. 219-232.
On the outskirts of Scandicci, in the Vingone neighbourhood, a participatory design initiative has shown how public spaces can be created with children’s interests in mind. The ‘Let’s Walk to School on Our Own‘ project transformed the simple route from home to school into an opportunity to reclaim the neighbourhood, resulting in the creation of two iconic spaces: the Educational Garden and the Pratone.
Despite facing bureaucratic resistance and rigid safety regulations, Lapei‘s (University of Florence) work focused on co-design and self-construction. Through creative workshops and community-led construction sites, the children ceased to be passive users and became ‘little urban planners’, capable of designing non-standardised play areas, solar-powered fountains and natural shelters.
The Vingone experience teaches us that the challenge does not end with the project; collective maintenance and care are essential to prevent disengagement from taking hold again. Transforming public space into a common good requires constant nurturing of the sense of belonging that transforms an anonymous suburb into a vibrant, proactive community.