Youth from peripheral urban areas are frequently portrayed homogenously, often associated with apathy, marginalization, and vulnerability. Such narratives, prevalent in media and political discourse, tend to obscure the agency of these young people, as well as their resistance and collective identity-building efforts. Although Portuguese urban sociology offers a rich theoretical framework with a longstanding focus on housing and territorial inequalities, significant gaps remain in capturing the lived experiences and self-representations of youth in these contexts. When studied, these young individuals are more often defined by vulnerability and absence than by the cultural meanings they generate. Addressing this gap, the PERICREATIVITY: Youth, Arts and Public Policies in Segregated Territories project, conducted in Portugal’s two largest cities—Porto and Lisbon—seeks to foster intersectional and participatory approaches that promote social emancipation and counteract youth marginalization. The project has implemented co-creation workshops with young residents of peripheral neighborhoods, exploring their processes of placenaming and local identity grounded in personal experience. This presentation focuses on the Porto case study, where a collaborative short film was developed over six months with participant involvement. Regular meetings facilitated dialogue, sharing, and co-construction of narratives centered on growing up in a marginalized social neighborhood. The resulting stories emphasize joy, territorial belonging, and resistance, revealing alternative collective imaginaries that challenge dominant discourses. The case highlights the crucial role of creativity and interdisciplinary collaborations tailored to diverse local languages in supporting more nuanced understandings of youth experiences in peripheral urban settings.

Esta comunicação foi produzida no âmbito do projeto Criatividades Periféricas: Juventude, Artes e Políticas Públicas em Territórios Segregados – PERICREATIVITY (Ref. 2022.08993.PTDC), financiada pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).

Co-criação,Juventude,Bairro,Marginalização social,Segregação urbana