Raccontare la comunità nei processi di rigenerazione. Il caso del progetto 'Identità e memoria' nell'Appennino pistoiese

T his chapter explores the concept of community within the broader context of territorial regeneration, with a particular focus on areas undergoing socio-economic and demographic transitions. It critiques dominant narratives that often idealize community as a cohesive, harmonious entity, deeply rooted in tradition and territory. Such representations tend to obscure the complex and dynamic realities of lived experience, reducing community to a symbolic anchor or an instrumental component in regeneration projects. In contrast, this chapter adopts a relational and processual perspective, emphasizing that communities are not fixed or homogeneous entities but rather dynamic and plural social constructions, continually shaped by negotiations, tensions, and conflicts. Central to this conception is the role of visual storytelling as a method for fostering self-reflection and self-recognition within communities. Visual storytelling, encompassing forms such as drawings, photography, comics, and video, emerges as a powerful tool for engaging with complex spatial experiences and bringing to light narratives that are often overlooked or marginalized. T hrough the integration of visual and narrative elements, these stories offer a rich, multifaceted understanding of place, capable of conveying emotions, relationships, and subjectivities that textual analysis alone may miss. Visual storytelling not only communicates but also constructs space, weaving together memory, practice, and affect, and inviting a reconsideration of entrenched narratives about community and place. The case study of the IDEM project (Identità e Memoria), implemented in the Pistoia Apennines, illustrates these concepts in practice. This project, conducted in collaboration with artists and local stakeholders, combined geographical research and artistic methodologies to produce three digital visual narratives that reflect the diverse realities of the area. These narratives – an illustrated book, a graphic story, and a photographic essay – not only depict the community but actively contribute to its construction by revealing tensions, aspirations, and the multiplicity of voices inhabiting the territory. They provide a space for critical engagement and collective reflection, enabling communities to interrogate their own identities and imagine alternative futures. In conclusion, the chapter argues that visual storytelling serves as a vital tool in fostering inclusive and transformative regeneration processes. By amplifying marginalized voices and embracing the complexities of social and spatial relations, it invites a rethinking of both community and regeneration, offering pathways toward more equitable and reflective forms of territorial development.