Palermo, a City in Transition: Saint Benedict 'The Moor' versus Saint Rosalia

This paper discusses responses of the city council in Palermo to trends in immigration, in the context of the long-term physical decline of the historic centre. The paper describes these trends, the role and needs of ethnic minorities and problems related to their living conditions in the historic centre. It goes on to assess whether the specific issue of planning and ethnic minorities can suggest new approaches to a wider re-analysis of planning practices.