The Role of Beauty in the Sustainable Regeneration of the Historical Centres: The Upper Town of Bergamo

The ongoing debate on new urban planning and regeneration strategies is crucial for the future of old towns, which are still struggling with significant obstacles. This is an important issue that involves the political class, professionals, and citizens, and requires more investigation. Due to market pressures and insufficient regulations, historic cities in today’s world are at risk from both old and new dangers. The growth of mass tourism has resulted in depopulation, the loss of traditional production and commercial functions, and consumption phenomena. A generalized trend which if, on the one hand, sees the industry of tourism as an important driving force for the development of historic centres, on the other hand induces negative consequences that careful planning should be able to counteract. This paper focuses on Città Alta, the upper town of Bergamo. The city was once unhealthy until Luigi Angelini’s Recovery Plan was implemented, which allowed it to adapt to modern life without losing its identity. In 2017, UNESCO recognized its fortifications as part of a series of transnational sites that includes the Serenissima’s most comprehensive and innovative defence networks. Since then, tourism highly increased and, at the same time, the Municipality of Bergamo developed new conservation and valorisation projects, starting from the idea that both social inclusion and beauty in the built environment would help in promoting health, well-being, and sustainable growth. A substantial question that the authors intend to discuss.