Mazara del Vallo is facing intertwined social and environmental challenges that shape its future as a liveable, socially inclusive, and resilient city. Public participation is very weak, many citizens feel detached from civic life, and shared spaces such as streets and squares are mostly underused, offering few opportunities for encounters, dialogue, or cultural and business activities. Younger generations are more active in digital environments than in their local community, deepening disconnection. This lack of engagement erodes trust in institutions, limits collective care, and leaves residents isolated. At the same time, Mazara’s dense historic fabric lacks shaded areas and green refuges. With climate change making Sicilian summers hotter and longer, the absence of cooling and biodiverse spaces exposes not only vulnerable groups — the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and those in peripheral areas — but all citizens and tourists to discomfort, health risks, and social exclusion. The harshness of the built environment pushes people indoors, weakening social ties. These dynamics reinforce each other: without welcoming public spaces, residents lack places and motivation to participate; without participation, investments in greenery risk neglect. The result is a cycle of weak civic culture, underperforming spaces, youth outmigration, and economic stagnation.
