ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses whether the involvement of the inhabitants of a region at risk or affected by a disaster in the decision-making processes of the local government can be useful to outline the conditions for a governance of risk and disasters. Participation acts as a catalyst for political dynamics and social actions towards an actual change, and as an 'arena' to draw a number of moral, ethical and political considerations. The chapter argues that whether participation could be a useful practice to define the principles for an effective management of places. In a place-based approach, government is effective when the space of everyday life is able to guarantee to the inhabitants the conditions to achieve a complete fulfilment as persons and citizens. In addition to the city centre of L'Aquila, the Municipality includes more than 50 smaller towns, which are recognised as administrative units, and some were independent municipalities until 1927.
