The regulation for temporary uses in the Municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo, Tuscany

By project IMPETUS

Published on 21 January 2025

Italy

Toscana

Borgo San Lorenzo

About this good practice

In 2021, the Municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo, located in the Mugello Valley, adopted a policy framework for temporary use (TU) as part of its Operational Plan renewal. This initiative followed two participatory processes: Borgo Prossima (broad civic engagement) and Spazi ai Giovani (focused on youth involvement). These processes highlighted critical issues, including the disconnection between the main urban centre and its hamlets, a lack of community and cultural spaces, and the prevalence of underutilised public and private assets.

The City Council approved Decision No. 35/2021 to address these challenges, introducing operational guidelines and a standard agreement scheme for TU projects. The guidelines establish acquisition procedures, including public tenders and property mapping, ensuring transparency and fairness. TU contracts offer a flexible structure, with terms of 4+4 years and rents adjusted based on the economic feasibility and quality of submitted proposals.

A pilot project was launched in the hamlet of Polcanto, where the Municipality acquired an abandoned sports field. The site, identified as a priority for community aggregation, was partially funded through public acquisition. In December 2023, a call for expressions of interest was issued, targeting non-profit, sports, and private entities. The call, based on the guidelines in Decision No. 35/2021, sought organisations to manage TU projects for the unused space in the Polcanto.

Resources needed

The Municipality allocated internal resources, involving urban planning and asset management offices, while seeking external funding to support the implementation and sustainability of the TU projects.

Evidence of success

The first intervention in the Polcanto hamlet will be monitored to analyse the main results and obtain data on inputs.

Potential for learning or transfer

The practice highlights how TU policies can serve as a powerful tool for small and rural municipalities. These policies not only transform underutilised spaces by assigning them new functions but also turn them into community assets that enhance social and territorial cohesion between the urban centre and its hamlets and among the hamlets themselves. Borgo San Lorenzo’s approach combines transparent operational guidelines and a flexible agreement template, ensuring alignment with local needs gathered during the participatory processes Borgo Prossima and Spazi ai Giovani.
Clear regulatory frameworks, public tenders, and adaptable agreements make this approach transferable to regions with similar challenges. Key success factors include stakeholder involvement, transparent procedures, and contract flexibility while funding gaps and legal complexities require robust governance and cross-sector collaboration.