Narrations et appropriations dans le centre historique de Naples : des constructions identitaires situées

Abstract

This paper investigates the narratives guiding urban development in the historic centre of Naples, their historical construction and their impact on urban society. In Naples, the developers use the urban practices of the inhabitants from urban underclass as a symbol of decay, causing the “bad reputation” of the city. Through the study of the practices, the representations et the urban narrations of this category, locally referred to as “plebe”, and of two urban “situations” in the Quartieri Spagnoli, one can put into perspective the urban discourse of dominant groups with the urban production “from below”. This articulation allows me to question the “subaltern condition” experienced by poor urban dwellers in the historic centre. At a closer look, it is possible to overcome the stereotype of a monolithic subalternity in the inner city, revealing multiple constructions of situated identities and particular socio-spatial dynamics in a composite and fragmented historic centre.

Keywords

• Italy
• Representations
• Naples
• Appropriations
• Historic centre
• Situated identities