Social and Spatial Inequalities: mapping youth conditions and spatial practices in an Italian neighborhood

The relationship between social inequalities and territorial dimensions is characterized by phenomena of interconnection, interdependence, and co-evolution: spatial factors play a decisive role in producing conditions of social marginalization and go beyond mere allocative factors, intertwining with the ways people inhabit private and public spaces. Conditions of marginalization can also be linked to a subordinate role of actors in the processes of representation and identity construction, and they are particularly significant for the adolescent and preadolescent population. This contribution describes an action research activity focusing on territorial dynamics and spatial practices related to the adolescent and preadolescent population (11-17 years old) residing in an area of the city of Palermo characterized by socio-economic distress and educational poverty. The study (i) analyzes lifestyles, forms of inhabiting, and social practices in relation to public space, semi-public space, and proximity services, as well as flows; (ii) investigates the role of spatial factors in perpetuating or overcoming conditions of marginalization; and (iii) identifies ongoing processes and transformations at the local scale and in relation to the broader urban and metropolitan context. The research combines the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, collected through an innovative methodology that integrates morphological analysis and gamified participatory exploration to support participant observation and unstructured interviews. The research results are presented through thematic maps, both to make the complexity of the results accessible to the broad audience of territorial actors involved in future actions and to support a new participatory representation of the territory. The findings show a close connection between social and spatial inequalities and their capacity to influence the perpetuation of marginalization conditions. Nevertheless, there is evidence of grassroots advocacy by the engaged youth through practices of appropriation and placemaking. The research provides reflections on methodological tools and a complex reading of the territory capable of supporting future regeneration actions.