The Italian Way of Urban Regeneration: Where Digitalisation is not a Valid and Fruitful ‘Option’

Contemporary cities are facing a challenging shift towards digitalisation, also using artificial intelligence as an important device to provide and elaborate information. Nevertheless, urban planning issues still face limitations concerning this innovative and current topic, with specific reference to decision-making processes. The paper shows the limitations within the Italian context, emphasising the opportunities derived from some structural constraints. Through a brief overview of the latest Italian problems in digitalisation and technology matters, the paper aims to describe the importance of ‘humans’ and ‘relationships’ as un-transferrable elements crucial for successful regeneration cases. The Italian case study is an example of how digital actions are not a priority in decision-making processes, especially with regard to the regeneration of public assets. The paper highlights the importance of governance, social norms and institutions as the main background of decision-making processes, considering digitalisation and other advanced technologies as a potential tool, but not as the solution.