  Context: Over the last decade, several groups of young (mainly low-mass)
stars have been discovered in the solar neighbourhood (closer than ~100 pc),
thanks to cross-correlation between X-ray, optical spectroscopy and kinematic
data. These young local associations -- including an important fraction whose
members are Hipparcos stars -- offer insights into the star formation process
in low-density environments, shed light on the substellar domain, and could
have played an important role in the recent history of the local interstellar
medium. Aims: To study the kinematic evolution of young local associations and
their relation to other young stellar groups and structures in the local
interstellar medium, thus casting new light on recent star formation processes
in the solar neighbourhood. Methods: We compiled the data published in the
literature for young local associations. Using a realistic Galactic potential
we integrated the orbits for these associations and the Sco-Cen complex back in
time. Results: Combining these data with the spatial structure of the Local
Bubble and the spiral structure of the Galaxy, we propose a recent history of
star formation in the solar neighbourhood. We suggest that both the Sco-Cen
complex and young local associations originated as a result of the impact of
the inner spiral arm shock wave against a giant molecular cloud. The core of
the giant molecular cloud formed the Sco-Cen complex, and some small cloudlets
in a halo around the giant molecular cloud formed young local associations
several million years later. We also propose a supernova in young local
associations a few million years ago as the most likely candidate to have
reheated the Local Bubble to its present temperature.
