Regaining a sense of belonging
The Square: A Place to Belong
The Square: Revitalising Space for Culture, Community, and Creative Innovation
In the heart of Florence’s Cure district, The Square transforms a 1000 msq historic industrial site into a vibrant hub for culture, creativity, and inclusion. More than a space, it’s a living piazza, accessible, open, and community-driven. Through artistic expression, education, and sustainable development, The Square fosters a deep sense of belonging, bridging tradition with innovation. A model for urban regeneration, it champions shared spaces where people connect, create, and thrive together.
Italy
National
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2024-03-25
No
No
No
As a representative of an organisation
The Square fosters a sense of belonging through sustainable urban regeneration, offering an alternative to gentrification by prioritising cultural production, education and community engagement. By reclaiming underutilised space, The Square ensures that culture is not something to be consumed but something to be experienced, and co-created.
The project aims to enhance social cohesion and empower local creatives by providing a cultural space that integrates community-driven artistic engagement and professional opportunities.
Target Groups:
- Local residents seeking meaningful cultural experiences and shared spaces for creativity.
- Emerging and established artists looking for professional opportunities.
- Cultural entrepreneurs and creative professionals developing projects deeply rooted in the community.
- Intergenerational audiences, including children, young adults, and seniors, engaging in artistic learning and cultural exchange.
Specific Objectives:
- Revitalise an industrial site into a dynamic cultural hub, adapting it for contemporary use.
- Support cultural production, providing space for artistic creation, exhibitions, and performances.
- Promote lifelong artistic learning, offering intergenerational programs, workshops, and professional training for creatives of all levels.
- Encourage cultural co-creation and social connection.
Achieved Outcomes:
- Revitalised underutilised site, transforming it into a multi-functional cultural hub.
- Attracted thousands of local participants, increasing engagement in cultural life and strengthening social ties.
- Established 9 cultural ventures and welcomed 23 resident creators, reinforcing Florence’s creative economy.
- Provided artistic training and professionalisation courses for hundreds of participants, ensuring culture remains accessible to all generations.
- Supported 4 cross-disciplinary creative projects, integrating visual arts, performing arts, and community-led initiatives.
The project aims to enhance social cohesion and empower local creatives by providing a cultural space that integrates community-driven artistic engagement and professional opportunities.
Target Groups:
- Local residents seeking meaningful cultural experiences and shared spaces for creativity.
- Emerging and established artists looking for professional opportunities.
- Cultural entrepreneurs and creative professionals developing projects deeply rooted in the community.
- Intergenerational audiences, including children, young adults, and seniors, engaging in artistic learning and cultural exchange.
Specific Objectives:
- Revitalise an industrial site into a dynamic cultural hub, adapting it for contemporary use.
- Support cultural production, providing space for artistic creation, exhibitions, and performances.
- Promote lifelong artistic learning, offering intergenerational programs, workshops, and professional training for creatives of all levels.
- Encourage cultural co-creation and social connection.
Achieved Outcomes:
- Revitalised underutilised site, transforming it into a multi-functional cultural hub.
- Attracted thousands of local participants, increasing engagement in cultural life and strengthening social ties.
- Established 9 cultural ventures and welcomed 23 resident creators, reinforcing Florence’s creative economy.
- Provided artistic training and professionalisation courses for hundreds of participants, ensuring culture remains accessible to all generations.
- Supported 4 cross-disciplinary creative projects, integrating visual arts, performing arts, and community-led initiatives.
Belonging
Cultural Identity
Community Engagement
Inclusive Spaces
Sustainability
The Square proves that cultural spaces drive sustainable urban renewal, balancing environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It serves as a blueprint for cities redefining belonging through inclusivity and sustainability.
Transforming underutilised industrial space into cultural and community hub The Square repurposes 1000 sqm building in Florence’s Cure district. Theatre becomes focal point for artistic expression, and eco-friendly materials along with energy-efficient solutions ensure architectural identity remains intact while adapting to modern needs.
Environmental responsibility remains central, integrating sustainable construction and operational practices to minimise impact. Renewable energy solutions, waste reduction strategies, and promotion of sustainable mobility create low-carbon infrastructure. The square operates with energy-efficient lighting and sound systems, reducing consumption while maintaining high-performance standards.
It fosters social sustainability by creating accessible space encouraging community cohesion and long-term engagement. Inclusive hub for cultural exchange, education, and skill-building, it ensures equitable access across diverse social groups. Theatre hosts performances, workshops, and participatory arts programs, strengthening cultural dialogue and shared experiences.
Economic sustainability supports local creatives, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises through a balanced funding model combining public, private, and community-driven initiatives. Theatre contributes revenue through ticketed performances, artist residencies, and co-produced events, reinforcing financial viability while driving local economic growth.
Designed as scalable, replicable model, The Square provides framework adaptable to various urban contexts and it plays key role in demonstrating how performance spaces integrate into sustainable redevelopment, offering creative alternative to gentrification while preserving cultural heritage.
Transforming underutilised industrial space into cultural and community hub The Square repurposes 1000 sqm building in Florence’s Cure district. Theatre becomes focal point for artistic expression, and eco-friendly materials along with energy-efficient solutions ensure architectural identity remains intact while adapting to modern needs.
Environmental responsibility remains central, integrating sustainable construction and operational practices to minimise impact. Renewable energy solutions, waste reduction strategies, and promotion of sustainable mobility create low-carbon infrastructure. The square operates with energy-efficient lighting and sound systems, reducing consumption while maintaining high-performance standards.
It fosters social sustainability by creating accessible space encouraging community cohesion and long-term engagement. Inclusive hub for cultural exchange, education, and skill-building, it ensures equitable access across diverse social groups. Theatre hosts performances, workshops, and participatory arts programs, strengthening cultural dialogue and shared experiences.
Economic sustainability supports local creatives, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises through a balanced funding model combining public, private, and community-driven initiatives. Theatre contributes revenue through ticketed performances, artist residencies, and co-produced events, reinforcing financial viability while driving local economic growth.
Designed as scalable, replicable model, The Square provides framework adaptable to various urban contexts and it plays key role in demonstrating how performance spaces integrate into sustainable redevelopment, offering creative alternative to gentrification while preserving cultural heritage.
Through adaptive design, participatory engagement, and professional opportunities, The Square creates an immersive and inspiring cultural experience that benefits both the community and emerging creative professionals.
1. Transforming Space into Cultural Expression: The Square's layout prioritises fluidity and openness, allowing collaborative workspaces to shape the aesthetic and functional experience.
2.Aesthetic Fluidity & Evolving Identity: The Square embraces a constantly evolving creative flow, integrating temporary installations, live artistic interventions, and participatory design elements that reflect both community identity and professional artistic innovation.
3. Multi-Sensory & Experiential Design: The Square enhances an adaptable atmospheres that respond to different cultural activities. By blending physical space, music with sensory experiences, it fosters a deeper emotional connection and ensures that the environment is constantly in dialogue with its artistic and social function.
4. Cultural Production Rooted in Local Identity: The Square is a hub for cultural production, supporting creative professionals in developing projects inspired by local heritage and contemporary artistic expression, ensuring that the creative economy remains deeply connected to the identity and values of the community.
5. Professional Ventures & Creative Economy: The Square bridges the gap between community engagement and professionalisation, offering a platform for emerging professionals to develop, exhibit, and commercialise their work, it contributes to a self-sustaining creative economy, positioning culture as a viable and deeply integrated sector of urban development.
The Square redefines the role of cultural spaces, proving that aesthetics and quality of experience are not just about design but about dynamic interaction, professional artistic creation and cultural identity. By making design flexible and rooted in both community engagement and professional growth.
1. Transforming Space into Cultural Expression: The Square's layout prioritises fluidity and openness, allowing collaborative workspaces to shape the aesthetic and functional experience.
2.Aesthetic Fluidity & Evolving Identity: The Square embraces a constantly evolving creative flow, integrating temporary installations, live artistic interventions, and participatory design elements that reflect both community identity and professional artistic innovation.
3. Multi-Sensory & Experiential Design: The Square enhances an adaptable atmospheres that respond to different cultural activities. By blending physical space, music with sensory experiences, it fosters a deeper emotional connection and ensures that the environment is constantly in dialogue with its artistic and social function.
4. Cultural Production Rooted in Local Identity: The Square is a hub for cultural production, supporting creative professionals in developing projects inspired by local heritage and contemporary artistic expression, ensuring that the creative economy remains deeply connected to the identity and values of the community.
5. Professional Ventures & Creative Economy: The Square bridges the gap between community engagement and professionalisation, offering a platform for emerging professionals to develop, exhibit, and commercialise their work, it contributes to a self-sustaining creative economy, positioning culture as a viable and deeply integrated sector of urban development.
The Square redefines the role of cultural spaces, proving that aesthetics and quality of experience are not just about design but about dynamic interaction, professional artistic creation and cultural identity. By making design flexible and rooted in both community engagement and professional growth.
The Square is designed as an inclusive, community-driven cultural space that removes barriers to participation in the arts and fosters a strong sense of belonging for all social groups and creative ventures.
1. Accessibility & Affordability for All: The Square follows design-for-all principles, creating physically accessible spaces with no architectural barriers and affordable or free cultural programs. It offers free public areas, low-cost workshops, and artistic opportunities for all generations, ensuring that culture is an everyday right.
2. Strengthening the Sense of Belonging: Foster a shared cultural identity where residents feel connected to their city beyond commercial and tourism-driven spaces. Programs are co-created with local artists, educators, and social organisations, ensuring that cultural activities reflect the aspirations of the community, including intergenerational and intercultural initiatives.
3. Inclusive Artistic Learning Professionalisation: Provide artistic education and career opportunities for all social groups and all ages. The Square offers creative learning programs, ensuring that cultural education is accessible at all levels and it creates new career pathways and social empowerment opportunities.
4. Promoting New Societal Models Through Culture: The Square encourages shared cultural production, allowing communities to shape cultural offering. This bottom-up approach creates a more democratic cultural environment, where people feel ownership over their shared space, reinforcing both social trust and long-term participation.
The Square provides a scalable and transferable model for cities seeking to make culture truly inclusive while financially viable. By ensuring accessibility, affordability, and participation at all levels, it strengthens the social fabric, fosters a deep sense of belonging, and demonstrates how culture can be a catalyst for more equitable, sustainable and connected societies.
1. Accessibility & Affordability for All: The Square follows design-for-all principles, creating physically accessible spaces with no architectural barriers and affordable or free cultural programs. It offers free public areas, low-cost workshops, and artistic opportunities for all generations, ensuring that culture is an everyday right.
2. Strengthening the Sense of Belonging: Foster a shared cultural identity where residents feel connected to their city beyond commercial and tourism-driven spaces. Programs are co-created with local artists, educators, and social organisations, ensuring that cultural activities reflect the aspirations of the community, including intergenerational and intercultural initiatives.
3. Inclusive Artistic Learning Professionalisation: Provide artistic education and career opportunities for all social groups and all ages. The Square offers creative learning programs, ensuring that cultural education is accessible at all levels and it creates new career pathways and social empowerment opportunities.
4. Promoting New Societal Models Through Culture: The Square encourages shared cultural production, allowing communities to shape cultural offering. This bottom-up approach creates a more democratic cultural environment, where people feel ownership over their shared space, reinforcing both social trust and long-term participation.
The Square provides a scalable and transferable model for cities seeking to make culture truly inclusive while financially viable. By ensuring accessibility, affordability, and participation at all levels, it strengthens the social fabric, fosters a deep sense of belonging, and demonstrates how culture can be a catalyst for more equitable, sustainable and connected societies.
The Square has actively engaged local residents, artists, entrepreneurs and NGOs in shaping its vision and operations. By facilitating a start-up creative ecosystem, it empowers individuals and organisations to develop cultural and social initiatives.
1. Community-Driven Development: Citizens have played a key role in shaping The Square through participatory workshops and discussion forums. Their insights have influenced the space’s design, activities, and programming. This involvement has strengthened local identity, reinforced cultural heritage and ensured the space remains an authentic reflection of the community’s aspirations.
2. Inclusive Cultural Programming: The Square functions as a dynamic space where citizens are not just spectators but active participants. They engage as creators, audiences and collaborators in exhibitions, performances, and training programs. Partnerships with schools, NGOs and learning organisations have broadened access to cultural experiences, breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups. This engagement has resulted in increased cultural participation across different social demographics and provided emerging artists and professionals with new opportunities to showcase and develop their work.
3. Facilitating a Start-Up Creative Ecosystem: The Square supports independent creators, cultural entrepreneurs and social enterprises by providing resources, networking opportunities and collaborative spaces.This support has led to the development of sustainable creative initiatives, fostering economic resilience and long-term community impact.
By integrating citizens and civil society at every stage, The Square has become a sustainable and inclusive cultural hub, proving that urban spaces thrive when shaped by the people they serve. The project has strengthened social ties, encouraged artistic experimentation and created new pathways for creative and professional growth.
1. Community-Driven Development: Citizens have played a key role in shaping The Square through participatory workshops and discussion forums. Their insights have influenced the space’s design, activities, and programming. This involvement has strengthened local identity, reinforced cultural heritage and ensured the space remains an authentic reflection of the community’s aspirations.
2. Inclusive Cultural Programming: The Square functions as a dynamic space where citizens are not just spectators but active participants. They engage as creators, audiences and collaborators in exhibitions, performances, and training programs. Partnerships with schools, NGOs and learning organisations have broadened access to cultural experiences, breaking down barriers for underrepresented groups. This engagement has resulted in increased cultural participation across different social demographics and provided emerging artists and professionals with new opportunities to showcase and develop their work.
3. Facilitating a Start-Up Creative Ecosystem: The Square supports independent creators, cultural entrepreneurs and social enterprises by providing resources, networking opportunities and collaborative spaces.This support has led to the development of sustainable creative initiatives, fostering economic resilience and long-term community impact.
By integrating citizens and civil society at every stage, The Square has become a sustainable and inclusive cultural hub, proving that urban spaces thrive when shaped by the people they serve. The project has strengthened social ties, encouraged artistic experimentation and created new pathways for creative and professional growth.
The Square has been developed through collaboration across multiple levels:
1. Local Level: Residents, artists, and entrepreneurs co-designed The Square influencing space design, programming, and priorities. Grassroots organizations in the Cure district and other parts of Florence helped define cultural and social initiatives. This involvement reinforced local identity, fostered social inclusion and provided accessible opportunities for engagement.
2. Regional Level: The Florence municipality ensured compliance with urban planning and sustainability goals. Regional cultural ventures and advisors, including The Square Foundation, contributed expertise in educational and artistic program development. Their role included consultancy, strategic planning and funding
access, strengthening public-private collaboration and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
3. National Level: National organizations supported The Square by integrating heritage preservation, cultural sustainability and social innovation into its framework. Public and private funding bodies contributed financial resources, enabling infrastructure development and cultural programming. Their involvement helped scale the project, ensuring it aligns with national urban and cultural policies while serving as a model for similar initiatives.
4. European Level: European cultural networks provided expertise and financial support for innovation and sustainability. Cross-border collaborations facilitated knowledge-sharing and adaptation of best practices in cultural regeneration, positioning The Square within a broader European framework. These partnerships strengthened international cooperation, bringing diverse perspectives into local development and reinforcing its replicability at a European scale.
Through multi-level engagement, The Square has ensured its success, transforming it into a thriving cultural ecosystem that sets a benchmark for future urban and cultural regeneration projects.
1. Local Level: Residents, artists, and entrepreneurs co-designed The Square influencing space design, programming, and priorities. Grassroots organizations in the Cure district and other parts of Florence helped define cultural and social initiatives. This involvement reinforced local identity, fostered social inclusion and provided accessible opportunities for engagement.
2. Regional Level: The Florence municipality ensured compliance with urban planning and sustainability goals. Regional cultural ventures and advisors, including The Square Foundation, contributed expertise in educational and artistic program development. Their role included consultancy, strategic planning and funding
access, strengthening public-private collaboration and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.
3. National Level: National organizations supported The Square by integrating heritage preservation, cultural sustainability and social innovation into its framework. Public and private funding bodies contributed financial resources, enabling infrastructure development and cultural programming. Their involvement helped scale the project, ensuring it aligns with national urban and cultural policies while serving as a model for similar initiatives.
4. European Level: European cultural networks provided expertise and financial support for innovation and sustainability. Cross-border collaborations facilitated knowledge-sharing and adaptation of best practices in cultural regeneration, positioning The Square within a broader European framework. These partnerships strengthened international cooperation, bringing diverse perspectives into local development and reinforcing its replicability at a European scale.
Through multi-level engagement, The Square has ensured its success, transforming it into a thriving cultural ecosystem that sets a benchmark for future urban and cultural regeneration projects.
The Square integrates diverse knowledge fields, ensuring a holistic, sustainable cultural space.
1. Urban Planning & Architecture: Specialists in urban regeneration transformed an industrial site into a fluid, multi-use space while preserving its historical character. Maximising natural light and open areas ensured adaptability for exhibitions, performances and community gatherings.
2. Cultural Management & Artistic Production: Cultural professionals, curators, and arts organisations guided programming strategies to create a diverse mix of exhibitions, performances and educational initiatives in order to foster artistic expression, supports emerging creatives and connects cultural heritage with contemporary practices.
3. Social Sciences & Community Engagement: Academics, educators and grassroots organizations shaped programs that promote inclusion, intergenerational dialogue and accessibility, addressing social isolation and strengthening local identity.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Design: Experts in sustainability contributed to energy-efficient solutions, waste reduction strategies and responsible material use, ensuring alignment with environmental objectives while maintaining cost-effective, eco-conscious operations.
5. Community Learning & Well-Being Through Cultural Leisure: Specialists in lifelong learning and well-being promote personal growth, creativity and social interaction. Intergenerational workshops, hands-on learning activities and creative leisure initiatives help reduce social isolation, strengthen community bonds and encourage active participation across all ages.
Collaboration occurred through interdisciplinary working groups and co-creation sessions, ensuring knowledge exchange between disciplines. The fusion of all these disciplines led to a space that is both aesthetically compelling and socially transformative, offering an adaptable, inclusive and environmentally responsible model.
1. Urban Planning & Architecture: Specialists in urban regeneration transformed an industrial site into a fluid, multi-use space while preserving its historical character. Maximising natural light and open areas ensured adaptability for exhibitions, performances and community gatherings.
2. Cultural Management & Artistic Production: Cultural professionals, curators, and arts organisations guided programming strategies to create a diverse mix of exhibitions, performances and educational initiatives in order to foster artistic expression, supports emerging creatives and connects cultural heritage with contemporary practices.
3. Social Sciences & Community Engagement: Academics, educators and grassroots organizations shaped programs that promote inclusion, intergenerational dialogue and accessibility, addressing social isolation and strengthening local identity.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Design: Experts in sustainability contributed to energy-efficient solutions, waste reduction strategies and responsible material use, ensuring alignment with environmental objectives while maintaining cost-effective, eco-conscious operations.
5. Community Learning & Well-Being Through Cultural Leisure: Specialists in lifelong learning and well-being promote personal growth, creativity and social interaction. Intergenerational workshops, hands-on learning activities and creative leisure initiatives help reduce social isolation, strengthen community bonds and encourage active participation across all ages.
Collaboration occurred through interdisciplinary working groups and co-creation sessions, ensuring knowledge exchange between disciplines. The fusion of all these disciplines led to a space that is both aesthetically compelling and socially transformative, offering an adaptable, inclusive and environmentally responsible model.
The Square challenges the traditional model by creating a shared cultural space that strengthens social connections and welcomes both residents and visitors.
1. Community-Led Urban Regeneration: Unlike urban projects focused on tourism and commercial gains, The Square is designed for local needs while remaining open to visitors. By creating a multifunctional cultural hub, it provides a space where residents can actively participate in cultural life while fostering meaningful engagement, mitigating tourism-driven gentrification and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
2. Hybrid Cultural & Economic Model: While Florence’s cultural economy relies heavily on institutional funding and tourism, The Square balances private and community investments to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. It ensures cultural production is not dictated by market trends but remains deeply rooted in community needs and long-term sustainability.
3. Strengthening Social Fabric Through Cultural Learning & Leisure: Unlike traditional institutions focused on historic preservation, The Square fosters lifelong learning and cultural participation across different social groups. By making culture part of daily life rather than a luxury or tourist attraction, The Square helps build deeper connections between people, heritage, and contemporary creativity.
4. Sustainable & Adaptive Cultural Space: Many of Florence’s cultural venues are limited by their historical structures, making it difficult to adapt to contemporary social and cultural needs. The Square embraces flexibility, creating a barrier-free, multi-use space for community initiatives.
The Square reshapes Florence’s cultural landscape by bridging the gap between tourism-focused initiatives and community-driven cultural spaces. It fosters shared cultural experiences and supports local creativity while welcoming visitors seeking authentic engagement.
1. Community-Led Urban Regeneration: Unlike urban projects focused on tourism and commercial gains, The Square is designed for local needs while remaining open to visitors. By creating a multifunctional cultural hub, it provides a space where residents can actively participate in cultural life while fostering meaningful engagement, mitigating tourism-driven gentrification and reinforcing a sense of belonging.
2. Hybrid Cultural & Economic Model: While Florence’s cultural economy relies heavily on institutional funding and tourism, The Square balances private and community investments to create a self-sustaining ecosystem. It ensures cultural production is not dictated by market trends but remains deeply rooted in community needs and long-term sustainability.
3. Strengthening Social Fabric Through Cultural Learning & Leisure: Unlike traditional institutions focused on historic preservation, The Square fosters lifelong learning and cultural participation across different social groups. By making culture part of daily life rather than a luxury or tourist attraction, The Square helps build deeper connections between people, heritage, and contemporary creativity.
4. Sustainable & Adaptive Cultural Space: Many of Florence’s cultural venues are limited by their historical structures, making it difficult to adapt to contemporary social and cultural needs. The Square embraces flexibility, creating a barrier-free, multi-use space for community initiatives.
The Square reshapes Florence’s cultural landscape by bridging the gap between tourism-focused initiatives and community-driven cultural spaces. It fosters shared cultural experiences and supports local creativity while welcoming visitors seeking authentic engagement.
The Square employs a collaborative, adaptive and sustainability-driven approach to cultural and urban regeneration that ensures long-term relevance, adaptability and sense of belonging and included:
1. Needs-based Community Research: The project began with an in-depth assessment of cultural accessibility and community needs, identifying gaps in spaces for local artists, entrepreneurs and social initiatives in Le Cure district, that helped shape design, programming and long-term vision.
2. Co-Creation & Prototyping: The Square embraced an iterative co-creation process, where stakeholders tested and refined ideas before formalising programs and structures. Early phases included temporary interventions to experiment with different uses and formats before permanent programming was established to allowed for flexibility and adjustments based on real user experiences.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Experts from cultural management, social sciences, and sustainability worked together to shape a framework that ensured that The Square responded to Florence’s unique challenges as both a historical city and a modern urban space.
4. Learning-by-Doing Model: The Square prioritises participatory learning and hands-on engagement to strengthen knowledge exchange, skill-building, and cross-generational collaboration.
5. Sustainable Operational Framework: The Square employs a diversified funding model, combining private sponsorships and community-driven revenue streams to ensure affordability for participants while maintaining financial independence.
The Square's flexible methodology ensures that the project continuously evolves based on real needs, rather than fixed institutional frameworks, positioning The Square as a sustainable and innovative space for cultural participation, social cohesion and creative development in Florence.
1. Needs-based Community Research: The project began with an in-depth assessment of cultural accessibility and community needs, identifying gaps in spaces for local artists, entrepreneurs and social initiatives in Le Cure district, that helped shape design, programming and long-term vision.
2. Co-Creation & Prototyping: The Square embraced an iterative co-creation process, where stakeholders tested and refined ideas before formalising programs and structures. Early phases included temporary interventions to experiment with different uses and formats before permanent programming was established to allowed for flexibility and adjustments based on real user experiences.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Experts from cultural management, social sciences, and sustainability worked together to shape a framework that ensured that The Square responded to Florence’s unique challenges as both a historical city and a modern urban space.
4. Learning-by-Doing Model: The Square prioritises participatory learning and hands-on engagement to strengthen knowledge exchange, skill-building, and cross-generational collaboration.
5. Sustainable Operational Framework: The Square employs a diversified funding model, combining private sponsorships and community-driven revenue streams to ensure affordability for participants while maintaining financial independence.
The Square's flexible methodology ensures that the project continuously evolves based on real needs, rather than fixed institutional frameworks, positioning The Square as a sustainable and innovative space for cultural participation, social cohesion and creative development in Florence.
The Square provides a scalable model for cultural-led urban regeneration, offering flexible approaches that can be adapted to different locations, communities and social contexts. While Florence’s tourism-driven economy presents unique challenges, The Square’s methods for community engagement, cultural programming and sustainable operations can be transferred to cities seeking to balance heritage, creativity and inclusion.
1. Repurposing Underutilised Spaces: The Square shows how industrial or neglected spaces can be transformed into multi-use cultural hubs with a gradual transformation method, starting with temporary cultural interventions before full implementation.
2.Community-Driven Cultural Models: The Square’s bottom-up model, where artists, educators and entrepreneurs co-develop programs, can be replicated to make cultural spaces more inclusive and socially connected.
3. Sustainable Cultural & Economic Models: The Square’s hybrid financial model, which combines private support and revenue-generating community activities, provides a self-sustaining and accessible alternative.
4. Cultural Learning & Social Connection: The Square integrates learning and cultural leisure to address social isolation and strengthen social cohesion. It provides a replicable model for cities looking to use culture as a tool for social well-being.
5. Sustainability in Cultural Infrastructure: The use of energy-efficient solutions, resource-conscious space management and circular economy principles can be transferred to cities seeking low-impact, sustainable cultural models.
The Square offers a replicable framework that merges heritage, social inclusion, and contemporary cultural needs. Whether in historic cities balancing tourism and local engagement or urban areas needing grassroots-led cultural spaces, The Square’s methods, financial models and social strategies can be adapted to ensure culture remains a driving force for urban and social transformation.
1. Repurposing Underutilised Spaces: The Square shows how industrial or neglected spaces can be transformed into multi-use cultural hubs with a gradual transformation method, starting with temporary cultural interventions before full implementation.
2.Community-Driven Cultural Models: The Square’s bottom-up model, where artists, educators and entrepreneurs co-develop programs, can be replicated to make cultural spaces more inclusive and socially connected.
3. Sustainable Cultural & Economic Models: The Square’s hybrid financial model, which combines private support and revenue-generating community activities, provides a self-sustaining and accessible alternative.
4. Cultural Learning & Social Connection: The Square integrates learning and cultural leisure to address social isolation and strengthen social cohesion. It provides a replicable model for cities looking to use culture as a tool for social well-being.
5. Sustainability in Cultural Infrastructure: The use of energy-efficient solutions, resource-conscious space management and circular economy principles can be transferred to cities seeking low-impact, sustainable cultural models.
The Square offers a replicable framework that merges heritage, social inclusion, and contemporary cultural needs. Whether in historic cities balancing tourism and local engagement or urban areas needing grassroots-led cultural spaces, The Square’s methods, financial models and social strategies can be adapted to ensure culture remains a driving force for urban and social transformation.
The Square responds to urban gentrification, social isolation, cultural accessibility and the need for sustainable urban spaces, offering scalable local solutions that prioritise community-driven development, cultural engagement, and inclusive urban regeneration.
1. Countering Urban Gentrification: In Florence, where mass tourism dominates urban planning, cultural initiatives often cater to visitors rather than residents. The Square offers an affordable, locally shaped programming, keeps cultural opportunities open to all, preventing displacement and fostering a shared urban identity.
2. Reducing Social Isolation Through Cultural Participation: Le Cure district, as many urban societies, experience growing fragmentation, with fewer spaces where people of different generations and backgrounds interact. The Square bridges social gaps by integrating cultural learning and leisure as tools for connection by making culture a tool for social bonding.
3. Improving Cultural Accessibility & Sense of Belonging: The Square creates an open, barrier-free space where culture is interactive, affordable and everyday life intersects with artistic expression.
4. Rethinking Urban Cultural Sustainability: While many regeneration projects focus on aesthetics or commercial viability, The Square prioritises cultural resilience and long-term sustainability. Instead of static programming, it adapts to evolving community needs.
The project offers a local response to global urban, social and cultural challenges, proving that inclusive, community-led and adaptable cultural spaces can reshape cities. It balances tourism with local needs, strengthens the social fabric and creates a dynamic model of cultural sustainability, making it a replicable framework for urban resilience worldwide, constantly renewed by the communities they serve.
1. Countering Urban Gentrification: In Florence, where mass tourism dominates urban planning, cultural initiatives often cater to visitors rather than residents. The Square offers an affordable, locally shaped programming, keeps cultural opportunities open to all, preventing displacement and fostering a shared urban identity.
2. Reducing Social Isolation Through Cultural Participation: Le Cure district, as many urban societies, experience growing fragmentation, with fewer spaces where people of different generations and backgrounds interact. The Square bridges social gaps by integrating cultural learning and leisure as tools for connection by making culture a tool for social bonding.
3. Improving Cultural Accessibility & Sense of Belonging: The Square creates an open, barrier-free space where culture is interactive, affordable and everyday life intersects with artistic expression.
4. Rethinking Urban Cultural Sustainability: While many regeneration projects focus on aesthetics or commercial viability, The Square prioritises cultural resilience and long-term sustainability. Instead of static programming, it adapts to evolving community needs.
The project offers a local response to global urban, social and cultural challenges, proving that inclusive, community-led and adaptable cultural spaces can reshape cities. It balances tourism with local needs, strengthens the social fabric and creates a dynamic model of cultural sustainability, making it a replicable framework for urban resilience worldwide, constantly renewed by the communities they serve.
The Square has achieved significant results in cultural accessibility, social inclusion, artistic learning and urban regeneration. It has empowered local creatives, strengthened social ties and expanded opportunities for lifelong artistic engagement.
1. Revitalizing Underutilized Urban Space: The Square has transformed a previously neglected site into a vibrant, multi-functional cultural hub.
2. Strengthening Social Inclusion & Community Engagement: The Square is a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can participate in cultural activities, actracting thousands of local participants, fostering greater social cohesion and accessibility.
3. Empowering Local Creatives & Entrepreneurs: The Square provides mentorship, resources and workspaces for emerging artists, cultural entrepreneurs and grassroots initiatives. This has led to the establishment of nine cultural ventures and attracted 23 resident creators, strengthening Florence’s creative economy.
4. Providing Artistic Learning at All Levels: The Square has expanded educational opportunities for hundreds of children, young adults, seniors and cultural professionals, offering artistic training, creative workshops and professionalisation courses to ensure that art remains accessible for all ages and skill levels.
5.Encouraging Cross-Disciplinary Innovation: The Square serves as a collaborative platform for visual arts, performing arts, music and community-driven cultural projects. It has facilitated the development of several independent creative projects, promoting innovation across disciplines.
The Square has proven that cultural spaces can be inclusive, locally driven and economically sustainable. By revitalizing urban spaces, expanding artistic learning opportunities and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, it provides a replicable model for cities seeking to integrate culture into their social and economic fabric.
1. Revitalizing Underutilized Urban Space: The Square has transformed a previously neglected site into a vibrant, multi-functional cultural hub.
2. Strengthening Social Inclusion & Community Engagement: The Square is a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can participate in cultural activities, actracting thousands of local participants, fostering greater social cohesion and accessibility.
3. Empowering Local Creatives & Entrepreneurs: The Square provides mentorship, resources and workspaces for emerging artists, cultural entrepreneurs and grassroots initiatives. This has led to the establishment of nine cultural ventures and attracted 23 resident creators, strengthening Florence’s creative economy.
4. Providing Artistic Learning at All Levels: The Square has expanded educational opportunities for hundreds of children, young adults, seniors and cultural professionals, offering artistic training, creative workshops and professionalisation courses to ensure that art remains accessible for all ages and skill levels.
5.Encouraging Cross-Disciplinary Innovation: The Square serves as a collaborative platform for visual arts, performing arts, music and community-driven cultural projects. It has facilitated the development of several independent creative projects, promoting innovation across disciplines.
The Square has proven that cultural spaces can be inclusive, locally driven and economically sustainable. By revitalizing urban spaces, expanding artistic learning opportunities and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, it provides a replicable model for cities seeking to integrate culture into their social and economic fabric.
