Placemaking in the Post-Pandemic Context: Innovation Hubs and New Urban Factories

Abstract

This debate article explores the potential of urban manufacturing to rejuvenate Italian cities through the productive reuse of disused industrial heritage. It emphasizes the need for transformative placemaking approaches that integrate diverse activities, fostering economic and functional diversity within ecosystems. The paper addresses key policy considerations and the impact of dedicated spaces or hubs in engaging specialized communities of workers. It acknowledges the emergence of new professional demands due to Industry 4.0 and highlights potential polarization toward highly skilled profiles. The ongoing pandemic crisis and the rise of gig and platform economies also pose challenges to traditional services and lower-skilled professionals. The paper raises questions regarding attracting makers and their contribution to urban employment growth. It underscores the importance of inclusive learning and shared prosperity by promoting the hybridization of technical, cultural, and social functions within productive-cultural sectors. The governance of hubs and innovation ecosystems necessitates a shared vision and responsibility, fostering partnerships with stakeholders at national and international levels. The examples of BASE and the Technopole of Bologna demonstrate placemaking practices that prioritize the construction of proximate relationships, extending beyond physical improvements. These practices are applied in industrial settings, research, cultural production, and education, with low barriers to entry and targeted approaches to diverse user groups.