Urban Co-Production. An investigation of the barriers to the co-production of public spaces — a case study of Aurora, Turin

This thesis explores the mechanisms, challenges and potential of urban co-production in the creation of public spaces, with a focus on the Aurora district of Turin, Italy. As cities increasingly adopt participatory governance models, the study examines how co-production can move beyond fragmented and symbolic participation to become a systemic governance tool. Through an in-depth case study of three public space projects in Aurora – the Giardino Cardinale Pellegrino, the Giardino di Via Saint Bon and the Trincerino railway trench – the study examines how different levels of governance interact, how citizens contribute to planning processes, the role of the academic community and what institutional barriers hinder effective collaboration. The theoretical framework draws on the literature on co-production, considering three aspects – personal interaction, knowledge co-production and institutionalized co-production. The empirical results highlight critical gaps in coordination between city and district administrations, the absence of facilitator roles, and the limited integration of citizen input into strategic urban planning. The study argues that effective co-production requires both institutionalization and professional facilitation to bridge governance levels and ensure meaningful citizen participation. It concludes with practical recommendations for embedding co-production into urban governance structures to create more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable public spaces.