The potential of archives in informal placemaking of former mental asylums: insights from Pionta commoning archival practices toward a living urban archive

This article explores various forms of archives — such as institutions, collections,records and cities — as urban commons. It highlights the importance of community andinstitutional collaboration in curating archives to promote learning, discovery and well-being through grassroots initiatives, transforming archives and their urban settings intorepositories of collective memories and significant landmarks for their communities. ThePionta complex in Arezzo, a former mental asylum covering approximately 25 hectaresand encompassing historical buildings, an urban park and archaeological remains, holdsconsiderable sociocultural, architectural and landscape value. Parts of it are used bythe University of Siena and the local health authority (ASL), while the remaining areais a public space owned by the municipality and province, but underutilized because ofthe stigma of its historical connotations and lack of reclamation interest. This articlepresents three collective archival practices aimed at regenerating Pionta’s urban life,altering negative perceptions of the heritage site and activating hidden narratives asliving urban archives to enhance creativity, social learning, empowerment and communitywelfare. These practices demonstrate commons-based archive management and informalplacemaking, are collaboratively designed and implemented by diverse communitymembers, and provide insights into managing negatively perceived heritage sites.