Recupero di beni pubblici urbani e creazione dio spazi condivisi per lo sviluppo della scienza e della cultura: il caso della Cittadella Galileiana a Pisa

This paper aims to analyze the processes of recovery of public spaces located within cities, in terms of functional and urban regeneration and regarding the reallocation of their use towards activities related to science and culture. In fact, in many Italian and European cities two dynamics emerge: on one side, the tendency of local institutions to recover abandoned public spaces localized in the central parts of the city, with the aim of encouraging the development of new economic, cultural and recreational activities, but also with the intention of returning these areas to the city and to the citizens. On the other side, the growing interest of universities and research institutions to contribute to the urban development not only from an economic point of view, but also from a cultural and social one, through operations finalised to disseminate scientific knowledge and to promote cultural activities. These issues are studied through the case study of the Galilean Citadel in Pisa, that consists in the recovery of the old public butchery, located within the city medieval walls. This case study has highlighted the potential as well as the possible weaknesses of such projects in becoming commons and shared social spaces for the city.