LetteraVentidue: AUID

The exploration of social spaces within urban environments conducted by the author is driven by the changing practices and behaviors of people. Focusing on the past two decades, the research addresses the challenges of maintaining a human scale in rapidly growing and densifying cities. The study identifies and defines these new forms of social space, emphasizing a qualitative approach to urban development. Through transdisciplinary research and observational studies, the author observes a preference for temporary and informal settings in undefined public spaces, contributing to the creation of diverse socio-spatial constructs. The resulting terminology captures the intersection of physical and social dimensions, revealing how strategic and intervention processes shape the contemporary city's new social forms. Through the articulation of nine possible definitions, this book provides a nuanced exploration of the dynamic relationship between urban life, space, and society, offering valuable insights into the evolving lexicon of urban space.

The international debate on the modification of Chinese ruralities opens new theoretical and practical dimensions for architectural design. China's rural lands, collectively owned by the peasantry, are under pressure. A dramatic socio-economic transition, an imponent political agenda, a land-use speculation process, an awakening of cultural values, and several other forces are reframing the conceptual and operative framework of the countryside's transformation. Drawing on a fieldwork experience conducted in the Fujian Province, the book explores the Chinese countryside's transient condition and its future implications.