Between Legitimacy and Illegality: Informal Migrant Settlements as “Right to the City”? The Case of Sicily in Italy

Abstract

The phenomenon of informal settlements in European cross-border Mediterranean countries, such as Italy, Spain and Greece, represents a complex issue from an urban planning perspective, addressing crucial issues related to squatting, land management and spatial conflicts. At the same time, it raises fundamental questions concerning citizenship rights and the 'right to the city'. In the specific context of the rural contexts of Southern Italy, the analysis of the spread and socio-spatial dimensions of informal settlements highlights gaps and inefficiencies in reception policies, contributing to episodes of social exclusion and marginality. In this context, the need emerges to explore whether informal migrant settlements can be interpreted as forms of claiming citizenship rights and the 'right to the city'. The question arises as to the role of public institutions in recognising these rights and managing the phenomenon appropriately. Through an exploratory methodological study focused on Sicily, this work aims to understand the phenomenon of informal migrant settlements at the local level, trying to identify possible unwritten 'rules' of informality. The analysis focuses on Sicily as a case study, using a scientific approach that aims to highlight the dynamics of the phenomenon and its interaction with public institutions. This exploratory approach aims to delineate the socio-spatial context of informal settlements, with a focus on the relations between migrants and local communities. The aim is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the dynamics related to migrants' informal settlements in order to develop more effective and appropriate policies. The reading of this study provides a relevant interpretative key to address issues of spatial justice and the 'right to the city' connected to migratory phenomena, especially in the rural and urban contexts of Southern Italy. The research thus fits into a broader framework of analysis of social and spatial dynamics, offering significant contributions to orient future policy and urban planning interventions.