La città antica e il bambino: la forma degli spazi per la vita di comunità a Bologna

Abstract

At the time of its expansion in XII-XIII century, Bologna looked like an aggregate of neighborhood communities, that were organized into areas where people leaved called venticinquine or cappelle (names that correspond with the modern parishes), quartiroli (portions of quarter) and morelli (alleys). Here, relations between the popular class and gentlemen took place. Solidarity, sense of belonging and self-management (which was allowed by the municipality) generated urban areas with clear shape characteristics, that we can still recognize in the areas of the old town center that are well preserved. We say “street life” when we talk about the peculiar and complex use of the neighborhood areas by all of the people. Children plaing in the street was part of it and took place in a safe way. Life of adults and children within venticinquine, quartiroli and morelli was characterized by two aspects: a very strong relation between the house and the street, which was the scene of every day life; the closure of the neighborhood areas along the perimeter and at the entrances, in order to protect the street life and to mark the borders. The space of the neighborhood community was shaped by elements that would inform the children whether they were in a safe and protected place or instead, being out of their borders, in a stranger and possibly dangerous area.