Speakers
Description
In recent decades, minor historic centers in Lazio, a region in central Italy, have faced significant economic and social decline. Studies indicate that over 40% of these centers have experienced population decreases exceeding 30%, with nearly 50% of local commercial activities abandoned in certain areas (ISTAT, 2021). These trends, driven by suburban settlement preferences and the centralizing pull of Rome, have left many historic centers desolate, compromising their cultural and economic vitality (Becchi & Recalcati, 2019).
The drafting of the Recovery Plan for the Historic Center of Velletri, a municipality in the province of Rome, represents a strategic response to these challenges. The plan adopts an innovative and participatory approach, emphasizing the redevelopment of public spaces using an experimental methodology. This methodology integrates detailed morphological and functional analyses of the territory with the application of the Urban Asset Scheme (SUA). This tool, highlighted in Italian urban planning by Emilia-Romagna Regional Law No. 24/2017, fosters synergy between strategic planning and urban design (Battisti et al., 2020).
In collaboration with the Municipal Administration, specific guidelines for the redevelopment of the public space network in the historic center were developed. Orography, a defining feature of Velletri’s urban fabric, played a pivotal role in shaping intervention strategies. The project is characterized by its integrated model of two Ps" Programming, Planning, one D Design, as further enhanced by the addition of "R" for Realization. This approach has delivered:
Programming and Planning: drafting the Recovery Plan using the SUA framework;
Design: developing precise guidelines for the public space system;
Realization: implementing public works aligned with PNRR funding, ensuring a cohesive and sustainable impact.
Initial results demonstrate a 15% increase in new commercial initiatives and a 20% rise in civic participation in planning activities, aligning with findings from previous urban regeneration case studies (Donati & Albano, 2020). This paper illustrates how Velletri’s integrated programming approach has become a socio-economic and urban catalyst, supporting ongoing interventions aimed at reinvigorating life in the historic center. Velletri ultimately stands as a model for urban regeneration, proving how innovative methodologies and integrated planning can revitalize historic centers and create new opportunities for peripheral neighborhoods, starting with the regeneration of public spaces.
References
ISTAT (2021) - Rapporto annuale sulle dinamiche demografiche e socio-economiche nei centri urbani italiani.
Becchi, A., & Recalcati, G. (2019). The Shrinking City: Urban Decline and Regeneration in Italy. Milano: FrancoAngeli.
ISBN: 978-8891781192
Battisti, F., Martellozzo, F., & Rossi, L. (2020). "Innovative Urban Planning Tools: The Case of the Urban Asset Scheme." Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 146(3), 04020023.
DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000611
Donati, C., & Albano, M. (2020). "Revitalizing Historic Centers in Italy: A Review of Best Practices." Urban Regeneration Journal, 12(2), 45-60.
Regione Emilia-Romagna (2017). Legge Regionale n. 24/2017: "Disciplina regionale sulla tutela e l'uso del territorio".
Smith, J., & Evans, R. (2018). Public Space as a Catalyst for Urban Renewal: Global Perspectives. Routledge.
DOI: 10.4324/9781351136325
Urbanistica Italiana (2020). "Il Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza: Opportunità per la rigenerazione urbana." Urbanistica Oggi, 15(5), 32-44.
Cavallaro, M., & Lanza, R. (2021). "Orography and Urban Morphology in Italian Historic Centers: Challenges and Solutions." GeoJournal of Urban Studies, 10(4), 312-325.
DOI: 10.1007/s10861-021-10234-7
European Commission (2020). "The Role of PNRR in Supporting Urban Redevelopment in Europe."
| Keywords | urban regeneration; good dwelling; Manifesto; urban innovation process; public spaces. |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
