Evolution, role and potential of public bath in the post-Fordist western city

This interdisciplinary research deals with the theme of the buildings of the 'public baths' or 'bains-douches' in western Europe and particularly in emblematic cities, large metropolises - such as Paris and London - and medium industrial cities - such as Turin - in Italy, France and Great Britain. The perspectives imply socio-cultural and typological-constructive knowledge, from the mid-19th century buildings to contemporary conditions and potential. The evolution of the theme - the birth, the quantitative development, the decrease and the re-emergence of the demand for public hygiene - in almost two centuries represents an interesting perspective of analysis of the city and of a change in the very concept of civilization and knowledge. The theme involves not only the urban and architectural fields, but the subsequent models of spatial organization and response to the evolution of the types of users, construction techniques, the evolution of plant technologies. The analysis also addresses the current conditions of the heritage, between continuity of uses and functional modifications, disposal and expectations of recovery, adaptive reuse interventions and urban transformations. New multi-functionality of hospitality and social inclusion emerges from the observation of the case studies, besides the assumption of an identity role in urban neighbourhoods and the potential for enhancement in the conservation of heritage.