COMUNITÀ ENERGETICHE COME INTERFACCE SOCIO-SPAZIALI PER LA TRANSIZIONE URBANA

The article examines the challenges and opportunities of urban energy transition, focusing on the role of energy communities as innovative socio-technical models to promote a just transition. In the context of increasing urbanization and climate urgency, urban energy communities offer a participatory alternative that transforms citizens into agents of energy management and governance, fostering co-design and resource sharing. However, several obstacles to implementation remain, including disparities in access, regulatory and technological limitations, and risks of power concentration. The integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, is proposed as a key to enhancing energy literacy, optimizing decision-making processes, and ensuring transparency and inclusivity. Nonetheless, the article highlights ambiguities and potential pitfalls if processes remain opaque, if the origin of data cannot be traced, and if infrastructure is not designed to prioritize collective benefit. In conclusion, the article argues that the success of the energy transition requires not only technological innovations but also an inclusive cultural and social project, where energy communities become spaces for learning, collaboration, and experimentation to build sustainable cities.