Geografie sperimentali negli outdoor urbani. Quattro pratiche artistiche, ludiche e co-creative

This introductory paper addresses the theoretical and methodological intersections between geography and experimentation. Drawing on the debate surrounding experimental geographies, the contribution highlights the potential of experimental practices to capture complex, non-linear, and emergent socio-spatial dynamics that traditional approaches often struggle to reveal. The paper is organized into three main sections. First, it reviews the theoretical trajectories of experimental geographies, discussing key debates and tensions regarding creativity, methodological rigor, privilege, and the epistemological value of failure. Second, it examines three core dimensions of experimental approaches in urban outdoor environments: collaborative co-creation, the relational nature of outdoor spaces, and the disruptive role of arts-based and performative practices. Finally, it introduces the four contributions comprising this special issue—focusing on play, affective intimacy, urban care, and street art—while reflecting on the ethical, political, and practical challenges of experimental research, particularly regarding public engagement and the non-academic dissemination of knowledge. Ultimately, the paper posits experimentation not as a rigid set of tools, but as an open, situated, and reflexive research posture for investigating contemporary urban transformations.