The city as an extended network of public spaces: reconnecting the spirit of place and time through modeling of old realities and new virtualities

In the contemporary city discontinuity and diversity characterize the built environment: it's recognizable at least a consolidated centre, while the rest of the urban structure is blurred, mainly lacking in public spaces. Two realities coexist in the same whole: one is the expression of the spirit of place through heritage, a static superimposition derived from history, the other speaks the language of time, containing all contradictions of modern planning theory with a dynamic acceleration towards the future. Just apparently this two parts do not share the same identity: the analysis, if based on a comprehensive approach, can reveal a more satisfactory and nuanced urbanism, taking into account new fruitions of public dimension. Nowadays, by means of technology, people can experience public life across real and virtual, communicate personal emotions, browse local historic documents, wish for neighbourhood improvements, connecting the real public city to the ever-changing spirit of place and time.