Patrimoni urbani: Traduzioni, esplosioni, conflitti

The preface to Lexia’s special issue "Patrimoni urbani: Traduzioni, esplosioni, conflitti" provides a comprehensive reflection on urban heritage as a dynamic and contested field. Using pivotal moments such as the global Black Lives Matter protests as a starting point, it examines the semiotic and political dimensions of urban spaces and their entanglements with cultural memory, identity, and socio-political power. The discussion highlights how urban heritage functions as a palimpsest of material and symbolic layers, shaped by continuous negotiation and reinterpretation. This interdisciplinary dialogue underscores the necessity of rethinking the preservation, transformation, and politicization of urban heritage, contributing to a nuanced understanding of its roles in contemporary cities.