Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book addresses specific modalities to achieve social regeneration by emphasising forms centred on inclusion and cooperation within and across territories, which require appropriate public spaces—organisational, relational, political, and physical spaces. It focuses on specific forms of poverty, which are crucial to local development but have received limited attention. The book illustrates the waning of solidarity and social cohesion in the traditional welfare model and proposes new institutional solutions aimed at social regeneration, public participation, and reorganisation of the production of services. It discusses the participatory dimensions of social enterprises and their potential contribution to social regeneration. The book analyses policies for social regeneration taking place in difficult territories. It examines the role played by digital technology, using the example of Web 2.0 as a tool for social regeneration.