Governing Touristified Cities: The Right to Inhabit, Property, and Inclusive Housing Models for Urban Sustainability

The contribution examines the effectiveness of the right to inhabit in Italian cities affected by the phenomena of overtourism and gentrification, starting from a reconstruction of the evolution of the legal notion of the right to housing within the Italian legal system. The analysis highlights the complex and relational nature of dwelling, emphasizing the shift from the right to housing to a broader right to inhabit, understood as a right to habitat and to the quality of urban life. From this perspective, the paper examines the shortcomings of the current regulatory framework and the legal instruments entrusted with land-use governance, questioning their capacity to regulate the extractive dynamics of urban rent and to protect resident communities. In conclusion, the contribution underscores the role of innovative and inclusive housing models as potential tools for urban sustainability and social cohesion, capable of improving living conditions and contributing to the preservation of local identities when integrated into coherent public strategies.