Sinfonie urbane: il ruolo della ritmanalisi nella rigenerazione degli spazi. Il caso di Piazza San Venceslao a Praga
Sinfonie urbane: il ruolo della ritmanalisi nella rigenerazione degli spazi.
Il caso di Piazza San Venceslao a Praga
Urban Symphonies: The Role of Rhythmanalysis in Space Regeneration. The Case of Wenceslas Square in Prague
Vittoria Virgilia, Marco Maruccib
aCharles University, Faculty of Social Sciences, U Kříže 8, 158 00 Praha 5 – Jinonice
bCNR-IRCrES, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Ricerca sulla Crescita Economica Sostenibile, via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Roma, Italia
corresponding author: vittoria.virgilii@gmail.com
Abstract
Urban spaces are not only physical entities, but also rhythmic environments shaped by human interactions, mobility patterns, and temporal flows. This study explores the role of rhythmanalysis, a method developed by Henri Lefebvre, as a critical tool for understanding urban regenerations. Through rhythmanalysis, it is possible to capture the temporal structures that define urban life, distinguishing between the various rhythms that characterize cities. The present analysis highlights the methodological value of rhythmanalysis as a fundamental tool for urban regeneration. After an overview of the city of Prague, a particularly relevant case study as the capital of an ex-socialist state, the research examines the urban revitalization project of San Wenceslas Square, in the heart of the city. This project aims to fulfill the needs of contemporary cities, fostering the well-being of citizens through more sustainable and inclusive urban design. By employing sensory ethnography and a qualitative approach, including methods such as walking, listening, direct observation, and interviews, the research investigates how revitalization impacts the rhythms and perceptions of urban space. The rhythmanalysis, developed through this sensorial ethnographic methodology, provides a deeper understanding of the rhythmic and temporal complexity of Wenceslas Square. Sensorial data gathered from interviews and observations illustrate how different rhythms shift according to urban modifications, revealing the intertwined threefold relationship between body, mind, and environment. The findings reveal that urban modifications influence not only the physical layout but also the lived experience of space, altering how people navigate and interact within it. By recognizing and working with existing temporal patterns rather than imposing rigid structural changes, urban planners can create environments that are more adaptive and inclusive. In the case of Wenceslas Square, rhythmanalysis provides valuable insights into how public space can be reshaped to foster social engagement, encourage sustainable mobility, and enhance the overall sensory experience of the city. This study suggests that rhythmanalysis should be considered an essential component of urban design strategies, helping cities evolve in ways that are both functionally efficient and experientially enriching. Rhythm should not be regarded merely as a perceivable phenomenon but as a practical tool to be integrated into every stage of urban planning and design.
Keywords: Rhythmanalysis, urban regeneration, sensory ethnography.
DOI: 10.23760/2421-7158.2025.003
ISSN (online): 2499-6661
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How to Cite this Article
Virgili, V., & Marucci, M. (2025). Sinfonie urbane: il ruolo della ritmanalisi nella rigenerazione degli spazi. Il caso di Piazza San Venceslao a Praga (CNR-IRCrES Working Paper 3/2025). Istituto di Ricerca sulla Crescita Economica Sostenibile. http://dx.doi.org/10.23760/2421-7158.2025.003