Comala in Turin emerged as a strategic response to two interconnected needs: the lack of accessible social and cultural spaces for young people and the necessity to regenerate an underused public property. The project originated from the initiative of young people and informal associations seeking self-managed, non-commercial spaces for musical production, low-cost rehearsal rooms, studying, and free socialization. This bottom-up civic and cultural activism led to the formal creation of the Comala Association, which now manages the hub.
Conceived as a participatory urban regeneration project, Comala focuses on the recovery of a portion of the former La Marmora Barracks in Corso Ferrucci, a public asset that had fallen into semi-abandonment. The space was gradually restored through a process of “self-construction” carried out by the promoting youth associations, later supported and formally recognized by municipal institutions, which contributed to the renovation and adaptation works.
Comala operates under a concession agreement with the City of Turin and District 3, defining a model of self-management in partnership with public authorities. The City’s support, through free or subsidized use of the space, facilitation of funding, and institutional recognition, has been crucial for the project’s sustainability. Today, Comala functions as a community-oriented, open space: activities are co-designed, public assemblies guide priorities, and collaborations with local actors are encouraged. It stands as a successful example of youth-led regeneration, cultural innovation, and collective empowerment built through cooperation between civil society and institutions.
