Tourists and the City: a precarious balance between public art and overtourism

In recent years, Naples has experienced a significant increase in tourist flows, a phenomenon that has profoundly transformed urban dynamics and the use of public spaces. This study explores the potential of public art as a tool for urban regeneration and a reservoir of innovative experiential suggestions within a cityscape marked by contradictions. The research focuses on the often-overlooked perceptions of foreign visitors, aiming to enrich the - already consistent - internal debate, actively engaging various social actors with fresh perspectives. Through semi-structured and provocative interviews, analyzed through a critical lens, the study captures the experiences and perceptions of those who temporarily inhabit the city. The analysis also reflects on the risk that public art interventions might divert attention from unresolved structural issues, such as the challenges faced by peripheral areas or the impacts of overtourism. This approach seeks to highlight critical issues related to the sustainability of urban policies by employing a qualitative perspective and offering the viewpoint of an external, disenchanted observer, unburdened by the constraints of daily life. The objective is to contribute to the debate on cultural heritage management and urban space governance by analyzing these themes through the lens of urban regeneration and organizational studies. The study underscores the urgency of balancing tourism attractiveness, local identity, and the well-being of resident communities. Finally, it offers a critical reflection on the role of public art, examining its potential and limitations as a tool for regeneration and managing tourist flows, while advocating for the adoption of more integrated and participatory policies.