Marginal urbanities in Rome – or how to revive urbanity through self-management

Abstract. Under the pressures of global capitalism, cities are increasingly losing their “urbanity” – understood as the combination of social and spatial qualities that enable large numbers of individuals to coexist, collaborate, and thrive. This article explores how self-managed socio-cultural places (SMPs) in Rome counteract this process by fostering collaboration, offering essential services, and reimagining social relations. Drawing on empirical research conducted between 2017 and 2022, I argue that SMPs – though imperfect and often facing crises – function as sites where urbanity is actively produced from the margins. By occupying abandoned or neglected spaces, these initiatives contribute to their neighbourhoods' vitality and challenge dominant models of urban development. Focusing on the evolution of SMPs, their key features, and their contradictions, this paper show how these practices can inspire alternative ways of conceiving and living in the city. Finally, I interrogate the very concept of urbanity itself, proposing that these grassroots efforts offer valuable insights into resisting disurbanity and fostering more inclusive urban futures.