Digital social media to enhance the public realm in historic cities

Abstract

The research aims at exploring a methodology for the use of digital social media (DSM) to study and influence people’s behaviors within the public realm of an historic city center. Potentialities and limitations, created by the use of digital social media for urban analysis and planning, are spotted regarding the specific conditions of an historic city center with the goal of creating a more livable public realm. The research aims at drafting a general methodology both in data mining both in public places promotion and enhancement, through information and digital connection, referring to the specific case of historic city centers. The research considers the case study of Urbino, in the Marche region (Italy), and carries on different analyses and proposals of intervention based on digital social media.