The basic idea of the Youth City project is to encourage the full development of young people on a cultural and social basis, by providing services and information, events, free time entertainment and cultural activities. This idea was part of the project for the restoration of the Royal Home for the Poor presented last Spring. It is an ambitious project, able to foster and bring new life to the Royal Home for the Poor, which has acquired prestige and importance thanks to the restoration of its historical building.
The Administration aims to facilitate the full development of the young on a cultural and social basis, by providing services and information, events, free time entertainment, cultural activities, accommodation. It also aims to foster and revitalize the building which, once restored, will be ready to be enjoyed to the full, each one of its numerous rooms (over 430, mostly large) and 20000 square metres of open space.
Restoration and strengthening work is proceeding rapidly. Meanwhile, the Administration is working on the formalization of the agreements which will allow the project to be activated. The first bodies to sign these agreements have been the University Federico II, the Orientale University and Stoà - the Institution for Business Management. Subsequently, also the Province and the Kodokan Sports Association signed the contract.
The building, one of the biggest in Italy, needed radical restyling and the City of Youth project needed to be properly organized to be able to supervise private and public bodies involved as well as to carry out the project on the basis of the master plan.
The "City of Youth" will be managed by a Foundation, which will be set up to organize the management services, events, free time entertainment, accommodation, cultural and social activities specifically for young people.
In the Royal Home for the Poor it will be possible to attend university or specialization courses, perform plays, enjoy music and sport, go to the cinema, gather information and access assistance services for study and work, meet people who are ready to listen to you or to citizens from other countries. There are 7 main themes in all:
These seven themes constitute the main uses chosen from the best options, aiming at preservation and vocational development.
Altogether, 27% of the available area is dedicated to culture and society, 28% to employment and training, 40% to reception and spare time, 5% to the management of the City of Youth by the Foundation appointed for this task.
Thanks to these facts, the City of Youth of the Royal Home for the Poor is incomparable for its dimensions and importance, the activities it offers and its accessibility.