Ripensare il margine urbano. L’azione collettiva di El Mourouj 2 (Tunisi)

Abstract

The paper analyses territorialization practices in Mourouj 2 district (Tunis) by focusing on Mourouj 2 Neighborhood Association’ activities during last decades. The case raises relevant issues regarding theoretical reflection on centre-margin paradigm in urban spaces and particularly in the Great Tunis area such as: margin social construction; resistance practices to spatial exclusion processes; conflicts over re-production of economic, political and social disadvantage; environmental and life quality link with spatial justice. In Mourouj 2 district key actors’ practices emerges as a common ground for community dialogue and conflicts with institutions and other informal powers over the right to the city. A nucleus of active citizenship emerges as a national precedent for urban space re-appropriation, from closure and conversion of Great Tunis landfill into an urban park in the nineties to wetlands and urban parks protection, community services and local development activities.