Projects and interventions on existing architecture: management shared with population

The paper outlines the different and potential roles of community participation, with regard to heritage conservation and management. Three different participatory models are proposed: bottom-up, top-down and social empowerment of the citizens. In case study of historical and modern heritage, the appropriation by inhabitants is condition for preservation, surveillance and management. The role of ‘cultural prosumers’ is in evidence, whose influence can orient and support the production of goods and services for the cultural enhancement of the local context. In short, the participatory approach requires innovative experiences. The method can be simple, dynamic and understandable, allowing a quick involvement by citizens, with ability to communicate, the results obtained must be visible and explainable step by step. The change comes from the single and repeated claim, looking for design solutions that involve all the actors in sustainable social and economic solutions. The social innovation for ‘urban common good’ is pointing towards a new kind of emerging social economy. A main model is the 'community organizing' one in U.S.A. and England, significant process tools are developing in Italy, such as the Regulation on collaboration between citizens and the city for the care and regeneration of urban commons, with regard to the existing architectures.