Silenzi apparenti. Abbandono e spopolamento dei centri urbani in Sardegna tra passato e futuro

Depopulation and abandonment of towns in Sardinia represent a rapidly developing phenomena , with severe repercussions in terms of socio-cultural and environmental sustainability. Since the 1970s, these phenomena have stimulated the interest of many scholars from different disciplines, such as anthropologists, sociologists, archaeologists, demographers and planners. However, sectorial contributions do not provide a unitary framework and overlook aspects linked to the cultural, architectural and material values of the studied settlements. Starting from this awareness, the Chair of Restoration of the University of Cagliari has recently launched a line of research on this topic, which involves the entire Sardinian territory. The goal is to obtain a cognitive overview that is fully aware of the on-going dynamics, through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates different specialized skills, aiming to direct the analysis procedure and outline effective future lines of action. These premises aim to lay down a significant foundation for monitoring the investigated contexts, to conscientiously guide the processes of social, economic and environmental transformation, attempting to avoid the sacrifice of this heritage. At the same time, indications on the inception and “contagion” mechanisms of depopulation in the inland Sardinian areas may be deduced, where community erosion and loss of vitality could be preventable, if re-considered in terms of (re)connection between territorial systems.