Urban regeneration and street art: a synergy that works

Urban art as a regeneration tool

Over the past twenty years, cities like Berlin, Bristol, and Naples have shown that murals are not vandalism: they are effective urban policy. They turn abandoned spaces into destinations, attract tourism, and, above all, give back identity to communities at risk of disappearing.

The Botrugno case

Botrugno, a small municipality in lower Salento with about 1,600 residents, was experiencing the youth depopulation typical of many southern Italian towns. APS OnStage decided to react — not with abstract proposals, but with a paintbrush in hand.

From 2023 to today, seven murals decorate the walls of the historic center. Each work was created in dialogue with residents, who took part in choosing the themes.

The documented benefits

| Indicator | Before (2022) | After (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend visitors | ~40 | ~250 |
| Social media mentions | 120/year | 1,800/year |
| Local businesses | 3 | 7 |

The data, gathered informally through surveys and social media analysis, show a clear trend: art works as an economic catalyst.

How the process works

1. Listening to the community: public workshops to gather ideas and concerns
2. Selecting the artists: open call with portfolio review
3. Co-design: the artist presents sketches, the community comments
4. Execution: three to five days of work, often with resident participation
5. Documentation: photos, videos, and interviews to preserve the memory of the process

The lesson

There is no regeneration without participation. The murals that last are the ones people wanted, not the ones imposed on them.