A multicultural, multi-faceted common of families in the heart of Florence
The Nidiaci is in the historic centre of Florence, an area with few spaces for children and families. In 1920, the American Red Cross bought the area to make it a “place for popular education with special regard to the children of San Frediano”, then the poorest district of the city, assigning the task to the lawyer Umberto Nidiaci. The area – a large garden and a three-floor building – were used as housing for the poor, a centre for children and young people, in a complex legal situation (the garden alone officially belonging to the Municipality of Florence from 1954). A real estate speculator, currently under investigation for a series of alleged crimes, took over the building and part of the garden, drove the children out in 2012 and sold the property as luxury flats and parking spaces. This led to widespread protests in the district, and in 2013 the Municipality granted the public part of the garden to the residents’ association, which has since then managed the area as a Commons.
Follow the video interview with Fabrizio, Francesca and Miguel.
