ABSTRACT
The Introduction establishes the foundation for understanding contemporary urban rituals as tools of territorial inclusion. The authors argue that modern societies are experiencing a “return to rituals”, moving beyond the post-war Fordist technocratisation that once dismissed rituals as meaningless traditions. This resurgence reflects societies’ need for meaning-making practices that foster belonging and inclusion in increasingly mobile and diverse urban contexts. The introduction frames urban rituals as more than ceremonial practices – they are mechanisms for creating territorial belonging in cities characterised by constant movement and demographic change. The research focuses on eight case studies across three cities (Geneva, Turin and Montreal), examining how rituals function as “common goods” that can unite diverse urban populations around shared territorial identities. The authors emphasise that contemporary rituals differ from traditional ones through their flexibility, inclusiveness and ability to adapt to changing urban demographics while maintaining their power to create meaning and belonging.
