Touristification and educational emergency in Naples' historic center

The transformation of the urban landscape, with the increase in global tourism, is happening very quickly in many european cities, making difficult for local communities to negotiate their own sustainable model of hospitality and flow management. In many historic centers the impact of tourism is felt in a disruptive way, affecting housing, commerce, public space, work and the environment.

Some consequence are the increasing precariousness of the right to housing, the rising cost of living, the transformation of local businesses and services for residents into tourist activities, the precariousness of working conditions, the mass occupation of streets and squares by the flow of visitors, the increase in pollution levels (urban waste, aircraft, cruise ships, etc.).

In this context of erosion of public space, the neighbourhoods of Naples' historic centre are facing a real educational emergency. The IV municipality has the third highest dropout rate in Naples, with values well above the national average. There is only one educational centre registered by the Municipality of Naples, despite the fact that these centres are identified by the municipality's social services as the first solution to the problem.

The Asilo has been a refuge for the young people who live on the streets of the neighbourhood, from which they have been progressively expelled since tourism and related commercial activities have saturated the space, further limiting places and opportunities for socialising. The Asilo has responded to this by listening to and recognising these young people, involving them in a horizontal community where everyone can have their say and discover themselves. In this informal educational process, they have met people (artists, students, researchers, activists, etc.) and established relationships that they would never have established otherwise.

In addition to attempts at spontaneously organised activities, the Asilo has dedicated spaces for reflection and action, even getting in touch with their families: the Social Carnival, the Strummolo Network, the Social Table, the Prato Verde table (with after-school activities and science workshops), shared aerial training, participation with the Real San Gaetano team in the Mediterraneo Antirazzista tournament, audiovisual and photography workshops.

The issue of education requires daily consistency, which it is possible to ensure in synergy with the institutions and organisations active in the area, according to the Asilo's principle of interdependence.