How do makerspaces contribute to urban vitalism?

In recent years, researchers noticed the return of making practices, small-scale manufacturing and independent craft production to postindustrial cities. This 'maker movement' comes together in so called 'makerspaces' and, more generally, in community-based spaces of making. How do these spaces contribute to urban vitalism? - Researchers Amanda Brandellero and Anna Niutta conducted empirical research on the opportunities and limitations of these spaces in Turin, Italy. They published a paper on their findings in the journal Cities. Creative and craft entrepreneurs find each other at 'makerspaces', collaborative creative spaces where professionals and amateurs come together for the conception and construction of art, design, and technology projects using materials that are provided for this purpose. Understanding the emergence and variety of such spaces in specific urban contexts might help us to uncover how the take up of small-scale practices of making, mending, and repair might support urban vitality and collective well-being. Understanding of the potential of local making practices . The research by Amanda Brandellero and Anna Niutta starts with the question 'in what ways do diverse community-led makerspaces in Turin reconfigure production and consumption practices and in so doing contribute to urban vitality?'. By answering this question, Amanda and Anna seek to contribute to our understanding of the potential of local making practices as a more inclusive and progressive approach to city making at a time when urgent changes are needed to how we produce and consume things. The outcomes provide insights in both the opportunities and the limitations of these makerspaces. Why Turin?