Codesign of Public Spaces for Intercultural Communication, Diversity and Inclusion

The consistent phenomenon of immigration from countries with different cultures, that characterized the last decade, has changed the use of public spaces in European cities. The need to develop innovative solutions aimed at improving intercultural inclusion and mutual understanding of all citizens emerges, so that urban spaces become inclusive, safe and sustainable. This research project is focused on two main questions: (1) can design and technology enable the creation of a different way of living the public space to catalyze interpersonal interaction and to promote a shared sense of citizenship? (2) is it possible to support intercultural communication and to facilitate social inclusion through the design of innovative and interactive public spaces equipped with smart urban furniture? This paper presents three Design Orienting Scenarios as results of the research conducted by several experts, professionals and people with different cultural backgrounds during a focus groups and two different workshops where they made converge competences from design, business, engineering and social sciences to find innovative solutions for the social inclusion of migrants in urban areas.