District III of Rome – Montesacro
We-Z - emotional WEllbeing of generation Z: reconnecting communities and spaces through imperfect health
We-Z is testing a transitional model of urban regeneration to improve mental health in young people. Actions focus on Vigne Nuove, a 1970s public housing complex in District III on the north-eastern periphery of Rome. The development was never completed, and is now characterised by a sense of neglect and isolation. This project was set up to experiment a ‘de-medicalised’ approach to urban regeneration, activating collective imaginations and co-creation activities, building affective bonds between people and places.
Our main challenges...
Tackling mental health challenges in younger generations. The number of adolescent children with neuropsychiatric disorders in the area rose by 7% from 2021 to 2022.
Disrepair and a sense of neglect in Vigne Nuove, an unfinished social housing complex in Rome’s District III.
Complex social challenges and lack of opportunities for residents to engage in local socio-cultural and economic activities.
and proposed solutions
Launching a Living Lab in Vigne Nuove to advance mental-urban research and experimentation. The lab functions as an informal bridge between We-Z participants, citizens and institutions, and the regeneration taking place in the Vigne Nuove complex.
Building a new urban imaginary that stems from the rediscovery of local peoples’ archives and stories. Collecting and activating hidden memories, the project provides forms of urban narratives that foster citizens' sense of esteem and pride.
Introducing a holistic, inclusive co-design process, promoting a sense of wellbeing and agency. An open construction site allows young people to build with others, including nature-based solutions using natural elements (trees, plants, water, soil).
Key figures
Milestones
Opening of Vigne Nuove Living Lab infrastructure for the co-creation of common spaces
A new creative community of young people with socio-mental health conditions
A multi-purpose museum with documents on local architectural history, and We-Z project activities
Created in partnership with local people, We-Z Park Action Plans define the park’s co-construction
