Exploring Identities. Perspectives from a cross-disciplinary dialogue. Introduction

The introduction sets out the reasons and the process that have led to the publication of this special issue of QU3 – iQuaderni di U3. Addressing identities is, today more than ever, significant, as the topic incorporates contrasting conceptual traditions and evokes both positive and negative solutions. The understanding of the very same term “identity” and the narration of the evolution of the debates around it have been the necessary prerequisites to open up to new theoretical and practical perspectives on the subject. On these premises, the ideation of this issue as an “open and dynamic dialogue” among academics from different research fields is explained. A brief description of each contribution introduces the reader to the complexity of the topic, developing a wider discussion about new visions on identities in urban contexts.