Z.E.N.

Z.E.N. stands for Zona Espansione Nord, A plan concieved back in the 70's to relocate thousands of people who were at that time living in shacks in Palermo's outskirts. It was planned and designed by internationally recognised architecht Vittorio Gregotti. The idea was to make a friendly and human neighbourhood, with plenty of common areas and gardens. Instead, a few days before the newly built apartments were delivered to the city council, thousands of people occupied the flats during the night. The place degraded quickly, becomig a shelter for drug dealers and mafia members. Nonetheless, the ZEN black legend may not be totally fair. There are families that work hard and try to live normally. Sure, they deal with a difficult context, but for the young ones the future could have a different color.