Challenging Design Practices at the Edges.

This article explores how design contributes to regeneration processes in marginal and rural areas, by drawing on the outcomes of a participatory mapping activity which involved key informants from different experiences across the Italian peninsula to gather knowledge around design-based regeneration. The discussion articulates and analyses three main aspects: i) the nature and scale of local community involvement in the design process; ii) the role of networks in supporting cultural and design-led regeneration; iii) the importance of self-evaluation mechanisms for reflective practices and monitoring frameworks to assess impacts and inform decision-making. In conclusion, the paper posits that design-driven processes are crucial for addressing challenges in such areas, offering a pathway for a better future and laying a both theoretical and pragmatic foundation for integrating participatory tools into regeneration processes.