Via Baltea was established in 2014 to address a pressing need in Barriera di Milano for inclusive, shared spaces where cultural activities, social support, and everyday conviviality could coexist. A former industrial printing house was converted into a multifunctional community hub, hosting craft workshops, artistic projects, a social restaurant, and community-oriented initiatives. The project combines productive and commercial activities with a strong social mission, fostering connections across cultures and generations. Its internal courtyard acts as a semi-public square, while the street-facing entrance encourages spontaneous participation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor areas continued to support social interaction, reinforcing Via Baltea’s role as a platform for neighbourhood resilience. In 2023, a Collaboration Pact with the City of Turin formalised co-management of the adjacent street as a civic space.
Via Baltea is run through a multi-actor governance model, involving cooperatives, associations, social enterprises, informal groups, and active citizens. Twelve partner organisations co-design and co-manage cultural, educational, and social programming, balancing economic sustainability with collective decision-making. The hub maintains an ‘open courtyard’ model, enabling free access, spontaneous use, and inclusive participation. Co-designed events, mutual aid networks, and skill-building initiatives empower residents as contributors rather than mere users. Through participatory workshops and assemblies, the community shaped the pedestrian civic space, exemplifying collaborative urban governance and relational welfare.
