Small Historical Centres: an opportunity for the “smart” revitalization of Inner Areas in the Post (post) COVID Era

The Pandemic is forcing everyone to become aware of the need for a change in the cultural and socio-economic paradigms of recent decades. During the twentieth century, on the one hand, entire populations concentrated in urban areas with ever higher population densities, at the same time giving rise to the phenomenon of “urban sprawl” or “suburbanization”. On the other hand, entire territories have been abandoned (the so-called “inner areas”). Now, we can define territorial rebalancing strategies based precisely on the reactivation of “inner areas”. Strategies that, in the Post (post) COVID era will have to be not only resilient, but anti-fragile. And the key is precisely in the future of the smaller historical centres. This article aims to review the strengths and weaknesses of small historic centres, outlining possible scenarios for their “smart” revitalization and for a true sustainable and inclusive development.