Food, Architecture, and Urban Regeneration: Narrating Identity through Contemporary Museography

The contribution explores the relationship between architecture and food, two closely interrelated aspects of Italy’s cultural heritage: from architectural themes to the enduring culinary tradition of our country, spanning from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance and culminating in Pellegrino Artusi’s codification of Italian cuisine. In contemporary society, food has become a pervasive cultural and social element, whose adaptation to modernity parallels the architectural discourse on historical pre-existences and their transformation. The topic is examined through two case studies: the Casa Artusi Museum in Forlimpopoli and the Truffle Museum of Alba and Montà, both situated in historically significant contexts where tradition and innovation intertwine in an ongoing dialogue. Beyond symbolism, the intersection of food and architecture fosters the need of a network within public space, reinforcing aspects related to the perception of cultural identity and social interaction, working as connector between historical continuity and contemporary urban dynamics. Food transcends its role as mere sustenance to become a catalyst for urban regeneration, repurposing underutilized spaces and strengthening social cohesion. From an interdisciplinary perspective, the convergence of food, architecture, and city offers insights into the concept of “permanence” in architectural theory and practice, highlighting the necessity of negotiating between tradition, innovation, and the evolving approaches to public space creation in contemporary urban planning.

Una riflessione sul ruolo della cultura del cibo nell'architettura e nella vita urbana con particolare riferimento ai musei dedicati a tale tema. Presentazione di due casi studio riferiti al Museo Casa Artusi di Forlimpopoli (FC) ed il Museo del Tartufo di Alba (CN)