The re-qualification of the neighborhood of Sant'Elia aims to the re-qualification of its bad image connotation 'within' the city of Cagliari.

The solution to the problem is in creating jobs, empowering the population, formalizing informal activities, and retaining the static energy of the locality. The solution should be found in the understanding of the present social discomfort and using it as a possible instrument for further design studies.

The majority of the residents want to stay in the Sant’ Elia’s neighborhood, land of unlimited freedom and creativity as opposed to the formal city. The residents are continuously engaged in changing and adapting their environment to their very special needs. This is made possible by the absence of regulation and administrative presence on the site.

Our scope as designers is to keep this energy flow moving and introducing spaces and opportunities allowing the legalized continuity of such mansion. Encouraging and slightly modifying elements which do work on site seems to be an appropriate system for reintegration.

The often-exaggerated negative images of Sant’Elia, partially responsible for the residents’ hostility towards the city, could be switched into a positive image by bringing new interest to the area. Increasing their sense of belonging and responsibility needs to be implemented in the spatial materialization for a new masterplan.