App and Go Edutainment for Micro_Cities on the Sicilian Ionian Coast

This study, which began in 2012 with the analyses, the surveys and the drawings of some small Sicilian cities on the Ionian coast (Mandanici, Alì, Forza D’Agrò, Fiumedinisi, Itala and Casalvecchio in 2018), it now continues with some projects useful for the sharing and the implementation of the obtained data and for the increment of the awareness of the inhabitants and occasional users regarding the architectural and landscape value of these places. The little cities on the Ionian Coast, despite the some peculiarities, are similar in location, structure and shape, in addition they often, have the same architectonical language. The Micro_Cities are having to deal with the profound economic crisis of the region and the progressive and inexorable depopulation. One way to increase their economy is to intercept the touristic flow that comes from Taormina and the Aeolian Isles which are not far away. This study tries to evaluate the potentiality of an organic communication strategy able to form a net with all these centres, and to enforce their visibility on the new media. One of the many possibilities that the new media offers is an “app” which takes into account the survey data (drawings, 3D, analyses) the potentiality of the landscape (orography, view and special locations) and the novel taste of young adults for the edutainment. So “App and Go” is an app which allows you to play with places, architecture and monuments. The goal of the game is to find some specific elements (carved brackets, heraldic shields, facades, or beautiful sights) using your own device and walking all around the centre. The app gives you different kinds of signs, real little clues, that show you how near you are to one specific element, and allow you to look at each Micro_City in a different way.