Conference “Decentramento e partecipazione a Torino” (2026)
Date of the event:
The conference "Decentramento e partecipazione a Torino. Cinquant'anni di storia, uno sguardo al futuro" ("Decentralisation and participation in Turin. Fifty years of history, a look to the future") takes place on Wednesday 4 November 2026 in the Sala Carpanini of Palazzo Civico, in Turin. The event is organised by the councillor's office for Cura della città (Urban Care) and Decentramento (Decentralisation), in collaboration with the association of Former City Councillors (Consiglieri Emeriti) of the City of Turin, and marks the fiftieth anniversary of the start of the process that led to the city's administrative decentralisation [1][2].
The theme and the structure of the day
The meeting retraces the events that, in the 1970s, led to the creation of the Comitati di Quartiere (Neighbourhood Committees) and the building of a model of participation and representation designed to bring the administration closer to local communities. The historical account is accompanied by a reflection on how decentralisation models have evolved, on the current role of the Circoscrizioni (districts), and on the possible prospects for developing their function as bodies of local proximity [1][2].
Proceedings open at 9am with institutional greetings from the Speaker of the City Council Maria Grazia Grippo, the president of the Association of Former City Councillors Elide Tisi, and the councillor for Urban Care and Decentralisation Francesco Tresso [1][2].
From the 1976 resolution to the Circoscrizioni
The first session is devoted to the historical reconstruction of the process that led to the creation of the Circoscrizioni, starting from the City Council resolution of 16 October 1976, which launched the political and regulatory process for establishing 23 Consigli di Quartiere (Neighbourhood Councils). These were formally set up in 1978 and transformed in 1980 into today's Consigli di Circoscrizione (District Councils), elected by residents. Speakers include Marcello Vindigni, councillor for Decentralisation and signatory of the 1976 resolution, and Sergio Scamuzzi, professor of sociology at the University of Turin, together with accounts from Piero Ramasso, former councillor for the Aurora neighbourhood and president of Circoscrizione 7, and Maria Ghisaura, the first woman to chair a Neighbourhood Council [1][2].
The present day and comparisons with other cities
The second panel examines how the Circoscrizioni function today and the tools for strengthening citizen involvement, presenting the findings of a technical working group on the possible evolution of the city's decentralisation. Speakers include deputy mayor with responsibility for Participation Michela Favaro, the City's secretary-general Annalisa Puopolo, the head of the Decentralisation Division Umberto Magnoni, and the coordinators of the Circoscrizione presidents, Francesca Troise and Alberto Re [1][2].
The conference closes at noon with a round table comparing the experiences of the Cities of Turin, Genoa and Milan, with the participation of the Decentralisation councillors Davide Patrone and Gaia Romani, who discuss organisational models, administrative processes and prospects for the development of decentralisation with councillor Francesco Tresso [1][2].
Related articles: Districts of Turin
Sources
- Torino celebra i 50 anni delle Circoscrizioni e guarda al futuro — TorinoOggi, 3 November 2026
- Decentramento e partecipazione: Torino celebra i 50 anni delle Circoscrizioni e guarda al futuro — TorinoClick, 3 November 2026