“Nella pasta densa del divenuto” = "In the dense paste of becoming"

This research explores the concept of the “historical city” in post-World War II Italy, challenging the simplistic use of the term through a deliberate historiographical approach. It highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of this concept, revealing how the historical city represents a resilient physical and geopolitical identity amidst the rapid urban transformations influenced by postwar development. By constructing a counter-history of the Italian postwar city, the study illustrates the enduring characteristics that resist dominant techno-financial urban models. Ultimately, the “historical city” emerges as a potential counter-model, advocating for a balanced integration of local specificity with broader values, counteracting the predominant narratives shaped by technological innovation and global financial interests.