Towards an holistic urban planning
Basic information
Project Title
Towards an holistic urban planning
Full project title
Accompanying the Plan Process of the Municipality of Altavilla Irpina
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
The project aim was to activate a process of collective and inclusive rediscovery of the built and natural environment of the village of Altavilla Irpina through the creation of participatory events, in a context far from debates on contemporary architecture and urban planning, but at the same time rich in local history and traditions. This process constituted the main reference for the drafting of the new General Urban Plan of the Municipality of Altavilla Irpina
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Altavilla Irpina, Italy
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
The project "Towards holistic urban planning" set itself the objective of defining new design parameters for the city and the territory that put people and the quality of daily living first. The target of the project is therefore at the same time both the population of Altavilla Irpina, already seriously affected by the 1980 earthquake, and the territory, with its history, its characteristics and its potential. The holistic approach evidently includes both an intrinsically inclusive component and a sustainable component. The aesthetic aspect, the third value of NEB, is a consequence of the implementation of the first two and unfolds over time with the various interventions that have gradually been implemented.
This project is part of a broad reflection on small villages, a dominant characteristic of human settlements especially in this, but not only this, portion of the Italian territory. Therefore, particular attention was paid to the needs of economic development with a value analysis methodology that allowed the design choices to be integrated with greater potential for realization.
The objective of the project was the drafting of the new municipal urban plan by the Administration of ALTAVILLA IRPINA, in collaboration with the CISE (Construction, Innovation and Sustainable Engineering), a consortium at the Polytechnic University of Milan (POLIMI), with the POLISMAKER LAB ( POLIMI) “Study Center on the management of the transformation of urban settlements for the quality of life” and the II level Master (POLIMI) “POLISMAKING Urban management tools for the quality of life and economic development”, hosted in October 2016 teachers and students of the master to discuss the preparatory issues for the drafting of the strategic document for accompanying the plan process of the Municipality of Altavilla Irpina. In addition to this analytical-cognitive-planning phase, a working table on -Art and Design- participated by teachers and students of the PolisMaker Master
This project is part of a broad reflection on small villages, a dominant characteristic of human settlements especially in this, but not only this, portion of the Italian territory. Therefore, particular attention was paid to the needs of economic development with a value analysis methodology that allowed the design choices to be integrated with greater potential for realization.
The objective of the project was the drafting of the new municipal urban plan by the Administration of ALTAVILLA IRPINA, in collaboration with the CISE (Construction, Innovation and Sustainable Engineering), a consortium at the Polytechnic University of Milan (POLIMI), with the POLISMAKER LAB ( POLIMI) “Study Center on the management of the transformation of urban settlements for the quality of life” and the II level Master (POLIMI) “POLISMAKING Urban management tools for the quality of life and economic development”, hosted in October 2016 teachers and students of the master to discuss the preparatory issues for the drafting of the strategic document for accompanying the plan process of the Municipality of Altavilla Irpina. In addition to this analytical-cognitive-planning phase, a working table on -Art and Design- participated by teachers and students of the PolisMaker Master
Key objectives for sustainability
The POLISMAKER study group made up of architects, psychologists, urban planners, lawyers, geomaticians, experts in environmental issues and students and former students of the POLISMAKING Master represents that professional figure tailor-made for this challenge, being specialized in the field of transformation management of urban settlements with particular attention to the quality of life in a context characterized by a constant increase in demand for the quality of the city in terms of services, mobility, pollution phenomena and man's existential space.
The "workshop planning" had a previous commitment of a month between teachers and students and a duration of a week of intensive work on site to reflect and explore the possible cultural declinations and projects for the territory in order to enhance local economic resources and the natural landscape in view of sustainable tourism and "rural landscape" strongly integrated with rural territories in an area of environmental value in the regional territory.
The participatory planning workshop addressed the problem of landscape transformations starting from the current economic-environmental conditions towards a new cultural horizon of sustainable development based on the regeneration of the village, on the valorisation of local resources, niche food and wine products, tradition and quality. We have thus attempted to interpret this potential development condition through the preparation of new scenarios that involve the overall structure of the places: the village and the landscape, the settlement, the local communities.
Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context
The "workshop planning" had a previous commitment of a month between teachers and students and a duration of a week of intensive work on site to reflect and explore the possible cultural declinations and projects for the territory in order to enhance local economic resources and the natural landscape in view of sustainable tourism and "rural landscape" strongly integrated with rural territories in an area of environmental value in the regional territory.
The participatory planning workshop addressed the problem of landscape transformations starting from the current economic-environmental conditions towards a new cultural horizon of sustainable development based on the regeneration of the village, on the valorisation of local resources, niche food and wine products, tradition and quality. We have thus attempted to interpret this potential development condition through the preparation of new scenarios that involve the overall structure of the places: the village and the landscape, the settlement, the local communities.
Please describe the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
This project contains all the elements that allow it to be defined as state of the art in urban and territorial design. Through the workshop it was possible to involve all the stakeholders, building with them the different steps that led to the final project. The first days were dedicated to technical visits and interlocutory meetings in order to define the objectives of the public and private actors and the needs of the citizens involved in the area of the village in transformation. During the last hours of the day we worked in "focus groups" (group discussions led by a facilitator who moderates the dialogues) on mobility, safety, job offers, landscape, urban revitalization policies, different forms of housing, different types of activities, heritage, identity of the place, predictions relating to future changes, list of guiding principles on which to build proposals, etc. even after midnight.
A few days were subsequently dedicated to a phase of analysis (descriptive, interpretative and creative) and investigation of the places with questionnaires addressed to citizens, stakeholders, public administration, students, strategic partners and representative institutions, regarding the preparation of the participatory auditing phase, foreseen by the procedures that accompany the drafting of the PUC (Municipal Urban Plan).
Every day the group's intense work until late hours allowed the development of general project ideas illustrated through sketches, tables, collection and processing of data and thematic reports aimed at an overall vision considering Identity and uniqueness , competitiveness, attachment and belonging to places.
The inspections and work sessions allowed a complete "scanning" aimed at collecting topics, ideas, problems, perceptions, establishing the priorities of each actor (also useful for the SWOT analysis) and identifying the objectives considered available resources and action plans aimed at future scenarios.
A few days were subsequently dedicated to a phase of analysis (descriptive, interpretative and creative) and investigation of the places with questionnaires addressed to citizens, stakeholders, public administration, students, strategic partners and representative institutions, regarding the preparation of the participatory auditing phase, foreseen by the procedures that accompany the drafting of the PUC (Municipal Urban Plan).
Every day the group's intense work until late hours allowed the development of general project ideas illustrated through sketches, tables, collection and processing of data and thematic reports aimed at an overall vision considering Identity and uniqueness , competitiveness, attachment and belonging to places.
The inspections and work sessions allowed a complete "scanning" aimed at collecting topics, ideas, problems, perceptions, establishing the priorities of each actor (also useful for the SWOT analysis) and identifying the objectives considered available resources and action plans aimed at future scenarios.
Key objectives for inclusion
Sharing and listening to citizens and stakeholders have become the key to the study and in-depth analysis of the various topics discussed in an assembly manner in five working groups, thus encouraging the involvement of all participants and allowing everyone to express your ideas anonymously and freely. In these working tables participated by urban actors and POLISMAKERS, the identification of the main issues to discuss and the positive and negative aspects that characterize the investigation context emerged.
The horizontal relationship (smoothing out the traditional vertical academic relationship) between students and workshop leaders characterized by transversality and aimed at results made it possible to arrive at interesting proposals in a short time and to acquire a unique and concrete field experience for students and workshop participants. This interdisciplinary and engaging approach involved students, citizens, entrepreneurs as well as technicians and professionals in a spontaneous way towards the welfare of relationships in their community.
The horizontal relationship (smoothing out the traditional vertical academic relationship) between students and workshop leaders characterized by transversality and aimed at results made it possible to arrive at interesting proposals in a short time and to acquire a unique and concrete field experience for students and workshop participants. This interdisciplinary and engaging approach involved students, citizens, entrepreneurs as well as technicians and professionals in a spontaneous way towards the welfare of relationships in their community.
Results in relation to category
Following the workshop, the proposals were incorporated into the General Urban Plan drawn up by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Salerno.
The workshop, thanks to its multidisciplinary character, also made it possible to lay the foundations for a psycho-physical reconstruction of the Altavilla area, hit by the earthquake of the 1980s, restoring the meaning of the concept of "living" until now linked to the state of emergency.
Urban and environmental regeneration and the consequent "strengthening" of places and the existing built environment aims to allow inhabitants to use their creativity to personalize their territory and finally feel at home.
The workshop, thanks to its multidisciplinary character, also made it possible to lay the foundations for a psycho-physical reconstruction of the Altavilla area, hit by the earthquake of the 1980s, restoring the meaning of the concept of "living" until now linked to the state of emergency.
Urban and environmental regeneration and the consequent "strengthening" of places and the existing built environment aims to allow inhabitants to use their creativity to personalize their territory and finally feel at home.
How Citizens benefit
The results of the workshop were shared with an enlarged study group, with local professionals, with municipal technicians and with other experts in the sector to analyse, propose and develop a model that could constitute the new production frontier, the relaunch of the village. country and its economy.
A vision of the future of the Altaville community was thus presented, capable of offering strategies based on innovative models of sustainable development, considering social and intellectual aspects which constitute the premise of a historical and cultural reference for holistic planning.
The topics developed as follows: - Symbiotic relationship between community and territory. - Explore places with your eyes and physically to make the landscape your own. - Identification of strengths. - Mobility=Freedom. - Communication creates community and identity is (re)constructed. - Contributions and further considerations.
A vision of the future of the Altaville community was thus presented, capable of offering strategies based on innovative models of sustainable development, considering social and intellectual aspects which constitute the premise of a historical and cultural reference for holistic planning.
The topics developed as follows: - Symbiotic relationship between community and territory. - Explore places with your eyes and physically to make the landscape your own. - Identification of strengths. - Mobility=Freedom. - Communication creates community and identity is (re)constructed. - Contributions and further considerations.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
The elements of innovation compared to traditional planning tools are multiple:
_Holistic approach
_Direct involvement of stakeholders
_Evaluation of choices using value analysis procedures
_Investigation, recognition and integration of the different realities of the territory
_Field exploration of the potential for intervention for the village
These different aspects and others were proposed and developed for the first time in this project
_Holistic approach
_Direct involvement of stakeholders
_Evaluation of choices using value analysis procedures
_Investigation, recognition and integration of the different realities of the territory
_Field exploration of the potential for intervention for the village
These different aspects and others were proposed and developed for the first time in this project
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Fields of knowledge: Appraisal, Design, Proxemics, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology.
The rediscovery and valorisation of the local real estate heritage, through proposals for the adaptive re-use of public and private spaces, had the objective of bringing new functions within the Altavilla area, normally distant from small urban areas, to encourage the local economy.
The adoption of practices relating to participatory planning, through the use of questionnaires, has allowed the rediscovery of local identity and the start of the re-construction of the network between the inhabitants, local institutions, stakeholders and emigrant communities (second and third generation), allowing the teachers and students of the Master to carry out a real community building action within the territory of Altavilla Irpina.
The rediscovery and valorisation of the local real estate heritage, through proposals for the adaptive re-use of public and private spaces, had the objective of bringing new functions within the Altavilla area, normally distant from small urban areas, to encourage the local economy.
The adoption of practices relating to participatory planning, through the use of questionnaires, has allowed the rediscovery of local identity and the start of the re-construction of the network between the inhabitants, local institutions, stakeholders and emigrant communities (second and third generation), allowing the teachers and students of the Master to carry out a real community building action within the territory of Altavilla Irpina.
Methodology used
The main method was participatory, involving the various subjects at all levels present in the area.
In particular, workshops, questionnaires, in-person surveys on the sites, interviews, images and drawings were used.
It is also underlined that alongside the methodologies considered traditional, a study was carried out to analyze the value of the choices to be made, so as to be able to qualify the quality of what was foreseen in the project in economic terms.
In fact, small villages characterized by their own identity are an opportunity for valorisation such as to even lead to a contribution to GDP growth as well as curbing the phenomenon of depopulation and creating an economic spin-off with a consequent increase in employment.
For Altavilla too, the path of its rebirth could be undertaken through planning actions, although certainly not in a short period of time, setting partial objectives starting from the urban recovery of the medieval village with reference to its infrastructure, from the start of a first widespread hotel settlement, by the valorisation of the industrial archeology represented by the mining settlement, all accompanied, as mentioned, by the opening of a territorial agency with skills in communication and marketing aimed at religious tourism, food and wine tourism, return tourism of emigrants and tourism connected to the coastal area which has not yet been cultivated until today.
In particular, workshops, questionnaires, in-person surveys on the sites, interviews, images and drawings were used.
It is also underlined that alongside the methodologies considered traditional, a study was carried out to analyze the value of the choices to be made, so as to be able to qualify the quality of what was foreseen in the project in economic terms.
In fact, small villages characterized by their own identity are an opportunity for valorisation such as to even lead to a contribution to GDP growth as well as curbing the phenomenon of depopulation and creating an economic spin-off with a consequent increase in employment.
For Altavilla too, the path of its rebirth could be undertaken through planning actions, although certainly not in a short period of time, setting partial objectives starting from the urban recovery of the medieval village with reference to its infrastructure, from the start of a first widespread hotel settlement, by the valorisation of the industrial archeology represented by the mining settlement, all accompanied, as mentioned, by the opening of a territorial agency with skills in communication and marketing aimed at religious tourism, food and wine tourism, return tourism of emigrants and tourism connected to the coastal area which has not yet been cultivated until today.
How stakeholders are engaged
The project involved all the stakeholders of the Altaville community, who actively intervened in the discussion and subsequent validation of the project proposals.
The strategic future of some of these inland countries requires listening and exchange between political managers, technicians, stakeholders and urban actors supported by the new professional figure - the PolisMaker - to work together and enrich their complex anthropic and natural heritage with a a sensitive look at the social value and quality of life. The presence of all the subjects involved in the participation in the recovery and development of the territory allowed a clear definition of all the problems and to hypothesize the possible directions of growth and transformation of the place
A questionnaire was developed and administered on 3 formal occasions - meeting with stakeholders (categories of interest) - meeting with citizens - meeting with 4th and 5th year high school students (different questionnaire in the last section)
Given that the number of questionnaires is not sufficient to conduct relevant analyses, the most significant data are the following (n=62)
Most of the inhabitants have relatives who have emigrated
Religious tourism is indicated as the most promising one to focus on
In order to attract tourists to Altavilla, popular festivals and traditions are considered important
For tourism/hospitality to be possible, non-hotel structures must be strengthened (campsites, bed & breakfasts, farmhouses - the catering system
To satisfy the tourist's gaze it is necessary to intervene on the redevelopment of the urban fabric
Most of the inhabitants say they are willing to reserve a room in their home to welcome tourists
The inhabitants are not willing to collaborate in economic terms for the transformation of Altavilla but in work terms.
The strategic future of some of these inland countries requires listening and exchange between political managers, technicians, stakeholders and urban actors supported by the new professional figure - the PolisMaker - to work together and enrich their complex anthropic and natural heritage with a a sensitive look at the social value and quality of life. The presence of all the subjects involved in the participation in the recovery and development of the territory allowed a clear definition of all the problems and to hypothesize the possible directions of growth and transformation of the place
A questionnaire was developed and administered on 3 formal occasions - meeting with stakeholders (categories of interest) - meeting with citizens - meeting with 4th and 5th year high school students (different questionnaire in the last section)
Given that the number of questionnaires is not sufficient to conduct relevant analyses, the most significant data are the following (n=62)
Most of the inhabitants have relatives who have emigrated
Religious tourism is indicated as the most promising one to focus on
In order to attract tourists to Altavilla, popular festivals and traditions are considered important
For tourism/hospitality to be possible, non-hotel structures must be strengthened (campsites, bed & breakfasts, farmhouses - the catering system
To satisfy the tourist's gaze it is necessary to intervene on the redevelopment of the urban fabric
Most of the inhabitants say they are willing to reserve a room in their home to welcome tourists
The inhabitants are not willing to collaborate in economic terms for the transformation of Altavilla but in work terms.
Global challenges
This project is decidedly Glocal, both for the intrinsic characteristics of the place for which it was originally developed and because it itself contains the reference to the Italian communities that emigrated abroad. This is an extremely important and sensitive factor to take into account in the network of relationships that in fact determine the Italian nature of many places, even if they are far from the country of origin of the people who live there.
Learning transferred to other parties
All the components of this project are replicable in similar conditions. In particular, the methodologies of investigation and development of the outcomes were then replicated on several occasions, not only in Europe, and led to a different way of implementing traditional urban planning tools
Keywords
Holistic
Urban Planning
Inclusiveness
Widespread hotel
Linking rural & urban
