INHABITING VOIDS Looking beyond informality in the neighbourhood Oltretorrente in Parma by Giulia Pantò

INHABITING

VOIDS

LOOKING BEYOND INFORMALIT Y IN THE NEIGHBOUR HOOD OLTRETORRENTE IN PARMA

G iu lia Pan t ò | 918 590

INHABITING

VOIDS

LOOKING BEYOND INFORMALIT Y IN THE NEIGHBOUR HOOD OLTRETORRENTE IN PARMA

G i u l i a P a n t ò | 9 18 5 9 0 Politecnico di Milano | Scuola di Architet tura Urbanistica Ingegneria delle Costruzioni M a s t e r o f s c i e n c e i n A r c h i t e c t u r a l D e s i g n a n d H i s t o r y | A A 2 0 2 0 -2 1 Super visor: Giulia Set ti

Aerial view of Oltreorrente showing the two facing neighbourhood divided by the torrent. Photo by Giacomo Laversa, 2 0 21

CON T EN T S ABSTRACT

00 GLOSSARY

01 12

INTRODUCTION

02 26

BEING OLTRE

2 .1

a terminology of research

a methodology of research

inhabiting - informality

habitar digno

occupare - occuparsi

social photography

abandonment - void

urban laboratory

living oltretorrente

READING

INTERPRETING

INHABITING

VOIDS

inside voids

3.2

4 .1

10 6

4.2 claim of housing

beyond informality

other side

2.2

12 2

216

BIBLIOGRAPHY

VOIDS

16 6

informality as co-design 13 2

claim of public space

inside occupations

INCONCLUSION

establishment of the

informality as claim

beyond informality

3 .1

VOIDS

5 .1

19 0

need of public space 14 4

5.2 need of housing

226

202

‘If I tell you that the cit y towards which my journey tends is discontinuous in space and time, now scat tered, now more condensed, you must not believe the search for it can stop.’

C a l v i n o I . , I n v i s i b l e c i t i e s , t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W. , V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7 (19 7 2 ), p . 147

A BS T R AC T The research explores the empt ying of central urban districts, in form of abandonment and informal occupation, and suggests an inhabiting of these vo i d s i n t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d O l t r e t o r r e n t e i n P a r m a . T h e c a s e s t u d y i n ve s t i g a t e s the spatial and social consequences of this peripherical neighbourhood located i n t h e c i t y c e n t r e, r e a d i n g vo i d a s a r e s o u r c e a n d i n f o r m a l i t y a s a d e s i g n s t r a t e g y. O r i g i n a t e d a s a m a r g i n a l n e i g h b o u r h o o d , O l t r e t o r r e n t e, l i t e r a l l y ‘ b e yo n d t h e t o r r e n t ’, d e ve l o p e d a n d d i s t i n g u i s h e d i n o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e o r i g i n a l c i t y n u c l e u s , p r o g r e s s i ve l y t a k i n g p o s s e s s i o n o f i t s ‘o l t re’ c o n d i t i o n . N ow a d ay s , i n c o r p o r a t e d by t h e c i t y s p r aw l a n d s w i n g i n g b e t we e n t h e w i l l a n d i m p o s i t i o n o f b e i n g o l t r e, O l t r e t o r r e n t e p r e s e n t s s p a t i a l s c a r s d e r i v e d f r o m m o r p h o l o g i c a l s u r g e r i e s o n i t s u r b a n p l o t . T h e s e vo i d s b e c o m e a t h e a t r e o f i n f o r m a l a c t i o n s , i n t e r p r e t i n g a b a n d o n e d a r e a s a s v a c a n t s p a c e s: a m a r g i n a l block is taken as a field study to obser ve informal answers to both public s p a c e s a n d h o u s i n g n e e d s , e n t e r i n g t h e o c c u p a t i o n o f E x- B i o n d i . Informalit y re-opens a question around voids, challenging the reading of informalit y as the need for its interpretation as spatial claim. Informal strategies a r e c o l l e c t e d a s a n a r c h i ve o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s t o o r i e n t t h e p r o c e s s f r o m i n - f o r m a l to in-habiting. T h e d e s i g n p r o p o s a l i s d r aw n f r o m i n f o r m a l i t y ’s c l a i m a n d vo i d m a p p i n g . A sequence of open cour t yards and multifunctional nodes, organized on an i n t e r s t i t i a l i n d u s t r i a l s i t e, e n a b l e s s o c i a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f g a t h e r i n g . H o u s i n g i s a p p r o a c h e d c o n s i d e r i n g i n f o r m a l u s e r s ’ v a r i e t y, i n n u c l e u s c o m p o s i t i o n a n d t i m e , e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h c l u s t e r s’ c o - h o u s i n g , w i t h i n t h e e x i s t i n g f a b r i c, a n d a m o d u l a r s y s t e m , w i t h i n t h e n e w v o l u m e . F l e x i b i l i t y i s e n s u r e d ove r c o m i n g t h e i n s t a b i l i t y o f t e m p o r a r y o c c u p a t i o n . A r c h i t e c t u r e c a n b r i d g e u s e r s w i t h o u t s p a c e s a n d s p a c e s w i t h o u t u s e r s, d e ve l o p i n g t h e d e s i g n p r o j e c t a s m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y p r o c e s s t owa r d i n h a b i t i n g o f c i t y ’s vo i d s.

‘ S e ti dico che la cit tà a cui tende il mio viaggio è discontinua nello spazio e nel tempo, ora più rada ora più densa , tu non devi credere che si possa smet tere di cercarla .’

C a l v i n o I . , L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , O s c a r M o d e r n i , M o n d a d o r i , M i l a n o , 2 0 16 (19 7 2 ), p . 15 9

A BS T R AC T La ricerca esplora il fenomeno dello svuotamento delle aree urbane centrali, e il s u c c e s s i vo a b b a n d o n o o o c c u p a z i o n e i n f o r m a l e d i q u e s t i i n t e r s t i z i , s u g g e r e n d o u n p o s s i b i l e m o d o d i ‘a b i t a r e’ q u e s t i ‘ v u o t i ’ n e l q u a r t i e r e O l t r e t o r r e n t e a P a r m a . Il caso studio af fronta le conseguenze, sociali e spaziali, di un quar tiere periferico nel centro-cit tà, interpretando i vuoti come risorsa e le azioni i n f o r m a l i c o m e s t r a t e g i a p r o g e t t u a l e. N a t o c o m e q u a r t i e r e m a r g i n a l e, l ’o l t r e - t o r r e n t e, s i è s v i l u p p a t o e c a r a t t e r i z z a t o opponendosi al nucleo originario della cit tà, prendendo progressivamente p o s s e s s o d e l l a s u a c o n d i z i o n e ‘o l t r e’. A t t u a l m e n t e i n g l o b a t o d a l l a c i t t à e, a l l o s t e s s o t e m p o, o l t r e e s s a , l ’O l t r e t o r r e n t e p r e s e n t a c i c a t r i c i d e r i v a t e d a ‘s u t u r e’ m o r f o l o g i c h e n e l s u o t e s s u t o u r b a n o. Q u e s t e f r a t t u r e s o n o d i ve n t a t e t e a t r o p e r l o s v i l u p p o d i a z i o n i i n f o r m a l i , c h e h a n n o i n t e r p r e t a t o l ’a b b a n d o n o c o m e a t t e s a e p r o p o s t o u n r i u t i l i z z o d e g l i s p a z i: u n i s o l a t o m a r g i n a l e d e l q u a r t i e r e h a p e r m e s s o d i o s s e r v a r e l ’i n f o r m a l e c o m e b i s o g n o d i s p a z i o p u b b l i c o e r e s i d e n z i a l e , a t t r a v e r s o l ’o c c u p a z i o n e d e l l ’E x- B i o n d i . S e i n t e r p r e t a t o c o m e r i c h i e s t a s p a z i a l e e n o n s o l o c o m e r i s p o s t a a d u n b i s o g n o, l ’i n f o r m a l e r i a p r e u n a p o s s i b i l i t à p e r i v u o t i , r i l e g g e n d o l e s u e s t r a t e g i e c o m e archivio di possibili t à, che possano guidare il processo da ‘infor male’ ad ‘a b i t a r e’. La proposta proget tuale si delinea a par tire dalla mappatura di richieste e v u o t i , o p e r a t a d a l l ’i n f o r m a l e. I l r e c u p e r o d i u n e x s i t o i n d u s t r i a l e i n t e r s t i z i a l e p e r m e t t e l ’o r g a n i z z a z i o n e d i u n a s t r u t t u r a d i s p a z i a p e r t i e n o d i p o l i f u n z i o n a l i , g e n e r a n d o n u ov i s p a z i relazionali. La parallela richiesta di abitazioni viene organizzata a par tire da deduzioni s u l l ’i n f o r m a l e: l a v a r i e t à , s o c i a l e e t e m p o r a l e , d e i s u o i a b i t a n t i , o r i e n t a l a disposizione di un co-housing nei due corpi esistenti e di un sistema modulare nel n u ovo vo l u m e. I l p r o g e t t o, i n g l o b a n d o i l c a m b i a m e n t o, c o n s e n t e l a f l e s s i b i l i t à d e g l i s p a z i p u r s u p e r a n d o l ’i n s t a b i l i t à i n t r i n s e c a n e l l ’o c c u p a z i o n e. L’a r c h i t e t t u r a p u ò e s s e r e u n p o n t e t r a l e p e r s o n e s e n z a c a s a e l e c a s e s e n z a p e r s o n e, s v i l u p p a n d o i l p r o g e t t o c o m e p r o c e s s o m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r e p e r r i a b i t a r e i vuoti della cit tà.

I N H A B I T I N G INFORMALITY

O C C U

O C C U P

All the images in the Gloss ar y are par t of a photographic repor t age in collaboration with the association Rete Diritti in Casa

00_GLOSSA RY

P A R E

P A R S I

ABANDONMENT V

Photos by Giulio Nori, Home ( l e s s) – s t o r i e d i p e r s o n e senza casa e di case s e n z a p e r s o n e , 2 0 18

INH A BI T ING

‘I nhabi ti ng means to be aware .’ F. L a C e c l a , M e n t e l o c a l e : p e r u n’a n t r o p o l o g i a d e l l ’a b i t a r e , B o ll a t i B o r i n g h i e r i , To r i n o , 2 0 0 8 , p . 5 6

I n h a bi t in g , f r o m t h e L a t in h a b i t a re, is t h e h u m a n f a c ul t y of h a v in g h a b i t u s of a pl a c e a lo n g t im e, im pl y in g o w n e r s hip ( h a b e re) a s p r e c o n di t io n . 1 A s c o n s t a n t a c t io n in t im e, p e r m a n e n c e a n d d a il y p r a c t ic e s a r e t h e f o u n d a t io n of in h a bi t in g. I f t h e p r e f i x ‘in’ e xclu d e s in - f o r m a li t y f r o m t h e ‘ f o r m a l l a n d s’ of le g a li t y, ‘in - h a bi t in g’ is a p r o c e s s of r o ot in g in - t o a pl a c e. T h e s t a bili t y r e q uir e d by t h e c o n s t a n t a c t of in h a bi t in g s e e m s t o b e min e d by t h e in t r in sic in s t a bili t y of in f o r m a li t y. D o e s i t e x is t , t h e n , a n in f o r m a l w a y of in h a bi t in g ? A s in f o r m a l s p a c e s a r e u n d e r c o n s t a n t q u e s t io nin g , w i t h t h ei r b o r d e r s d e f e n d e d b u t n ot d e f i n e d , i n h a bi t i n g b e c o m e s a m a ni f e s t a t io n of t h e p e r m a n e n c e in a pl a c e, m o r e t h a n i t s c o n s e q u e n c e 2 : in h a bi t in g in in f o r m a l c o n di t io n s is a cl a im of s t a bili t y. S el f- a f f ir m a t io n a s in h a bi t a n t p a s s e s t h r o u g h s p a t i a l g e s t u r e s of r a dic a li z a t io n , in w hic h , in c a s e of im mi g r a n t s , t h e e x is t in g i d e n t i t y is r e a f f ir m e d in a n e w pl a c e. A f t e r t h e f ir s t n e e d - a n s w e r in g d o m e s t ic a t io n of s p a c e s , in h a bi t in g is a s u bje c t i v e r el a t io n s hip m a d e of t r a c e s in t h e p h y sic a l s p a c e. T h r o u g h t h e a c t i v i t y of m a k in g h a bi t of a s p a c e, t h e e n v i r o n m e n t s u r r o u n di n g h u m a n li f e is d o m e s t ic a t e d a n d b e c o m e s pl a c e 3 ; in t u r n s t h e o c c u p a n t s , t h r o u g h s p a t i a l p r a c t ic e s of h a bi t in g , d e cl a r e t h e m s el v e s a s in h a bi t a n t s . I n h a bi t in g is r e f le x i v e a c t i v i t y w hic h b r in g s t o g e t h e r s p a t i a l o r g a ni z a t io n a n d h u m a n a c t io n , in c o n t in u o u s a n d d y n a mic in t e r a c t io n . 4 T h e a rc hi t e c t ’s a im is t h e o n e t o r e a d in f o r m a li t y a s a cl a im of i d e n t i t y, by d e si g nin g s p a c e s w hic h a r e p ot e n t i a l pl a c e s f o r in h a bi t in g.

1 ‘Inhabiting: from the L atin h a b i t a r e, f r e q u e n t f o r m o f h a b e r e ( h a v i n g).’ (a u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n) D e f i n i t i o n a v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. t r e c c a n i . i t / v o c a b o l a r i o/ abitare _ res- ec03dde30 0 0 b -11d e - 9 d 8 9 0 016 3 57e e e 51/ 2 ‘[…] t o ‘c o n q u e r ’ a d o m e s t i c s p a c e t h r o u g h t h e a c t (a n d p r o c e s s) o f s q u a t t i n g ’. C . Caciot ti, When squatting b e c o m e s ‘ s t a b l e p r e c a r i t y ’. T h e c a s e o f S a n t a C r o c e/ S p i n T i m e L a b s , R o m e, i n V i s u a l e t h n o g r a p h y, v o l . 9 , n . 2 , 2 0 2 0 , p . 19 3 ‘ L’a t t i v i t à p a z i e n t e d e l l ’a b i t a r e è i n g r a d o , con il pass ar del tempo, di rendere vivibili anche i luoghi più selvaggi e l e p e r i f e r i e p i ù b r u t t e .’ L a C e c l a F., C o n t r o l ’A r c h i t e t t u r a, E l è u t h e r a , M i l a n o , 19 9 3 4 S t a i d A ., L a c a s a v i v e n t e . Riparare gli spa zi, imparare a c o s t r u i r e, A d d e d i t o r e , To r i n o , 2 0 2 1, p . 18

INFOR M A L I T Y

‘To deal with informalit y therefore par tly means confronting how the apparatus of planning p ro du c es the u n plan ne d and u n p lan nab le .’ R o y A ., U r b a n I n f o r m a li t y. To w a r d s a n e p i s t e m o l o g y o f p l a n n i n g i n J o u r n a l o f t h e A m e r i c a n P l a n n i n g A s s o c i a t i o n , Vo l . 71, N o . 2 , S p r i n g 2 0 0 5 , p . 15 6

T h e w o r d ‘in f o r m a li t y ’ is a f o r m a ll y e s t a blis h e d d e f ini t io n u s e d t o d elimi t a v a r i e t y of u n c o n t r oll a ble s p a t i a l p r a c t ic e s e s c a pin g f r o m pl a n - g ui d e d a c t io n . T his r e s e a rc h w ill a p p r o a c h t h e f i eld of u r b a n i n f o r m a li t y 5 , a w a r e of t h e blu r r in e s s of is d e f ini t io n a n d of t h e t e r r i t o r i a l v a r i a ble s of i t s m a ni f e s t a t io n s . S c h ol a r f r o m Glo b a l N o r t h a n d S o u t h , s t a r t in g f r o m 19 6 0 s , t r i e d t o d e f in e in f o r m a li t y w i t h e m pir ic a l m e t h o d olo gi e s t o d r a w g ui d elin e s a b o u t t h e r e a s o n b e hin d pl a n - le s s a c t io n s a n d t h eir r el a t io n s hip w i t h t h e u r b a n ‘ f o r m a l’ e n v i r o n m e n t . T h e s e t h e o r i e s , w i t h o u t f ollo w i n g a t e m p o r a l a n d o r d e r e d e v olu t io n , o v e r l a p p e d a lo n g t h e y e a r s , a n d c o uld n ot c o n f in e n ei t h e r in f o r m a li t y ’s d e f ini t io n , n ei t h e r i t s m ul t iple s p a t i a l m a ni f e s t a t io n s . 6 I n f o r m a li t y s u b t e n d s a ll t h e ‘o r g a ni z in g u r b a n lo gic s’ m a ni f e s t in g w i t hin a f o r m a l s p a c e, in w hic h t h e y s u b v e r t c e r t a in t i e s a n d c h a lle n g e s p a t i a l s t r u c t u r e s . T h e in t e r n a l dis pl a c e m e n t g e n e r a t e d by u r b a n in f o r m a li t y q u e s t io n s a n d n e g ot i a t e s t h e ‘ f o r m a l ci t y ’, ‘u n m a p pin g’ s p a c e s t h r o u g h a p oli t ic a l a c t . 7 T h e in t r in sic limi t of in f o r m a li t y is t h e lin k t o a s t a t u s of ‘s t a ble p r e c a r i t y ’, n ot a llo w in g t h e o c c u p a n t s t o e x i t t h e e m e r g e n c y s t a t e. 8 A s s t r a t e g y of s p a c e cl a im , i t t a k e s s h a p e a s o c c u p a t io n of v oi d, r e v e a lin g e x is t in g f r a c t u r e s in u r b a n b uil t f o r m . F o c u si n g o n i n f o r m a li t y c o r r e s p o n d s t o r e o p e n q u e s t io n s a r o u n d v oi d s a n d w h o o c c u pi e s t h e m , t h e s o c a lle d ‘in f o r m a ls’ 9 , w i t h t h e a im of le a r nin g t h e p r o c e s s e s of s p a c e a d a p t a bili t y b e hin d t h e s e a c t io n s .

5 With urban informalit y is intended ‘the manifestation of informal processes in urban e n v i r o n m e n t ’. A l S a y y a d N. Urban informalit y: Crossing borders in Roy A ., A l S a y y a d N ., U r b a n I n f o r m a l i t y. Tr a n s n a t i o n a l Perspectives from the Middle East, Latin America, a n d S o u t h A s i a, L e x i n g t o n Books, O x ford, 20 04, p. 1 6 L u t z o n i L ., I n f o r m a l i t à e p r o g e t t o u r b a n o, P h d t h e s i s i n ‘A r c h i t e t t u r a e P i a n i f i c a z i o n e’, r e l a t o r G . Maciocco, Universit à degli s t u d i d i S a s s a r i , 2 0 11 7 ‘Politic al’ intended in the broaden meaning, to underline the space-claim b e h i n d u r b a n i n f o r m a l i t y. 8 C a c i o t t i C ., W h e n s q u a t t i n g b e c o m e s ‘ s t a b l e p r e c a r i t y ’. T h e c a s e o f S a n t a C r o c e/ S p i n T i m e L a b s , R o m e, i n V i s u a l e t h n o g r a p h y, v o l . 9 , n . 2 , 2 0 2 0 , p . 19

9 S o c i a ll y, p e o p l e li v i n g in informal conditions i s m a r g i n a li z e d , li v i n g inside the border of an u n - a c c e s s i b l e c i t y, t h u s becoming impossible ‘c i t i z e n s’. 17

OCCUPA R E – T O OCCUP Y ‘Fo r wh o s tays , or i s ho l d , i n a m a r g i n a l c o n d i ti o n , to o c c u p y be c o mes a n i ns tru me n t to c lai m not only a space, but also an i den ti t y, that is stric tly l i nke d wi th the sp ace .

Z a n i n i P., S i g n i f i c a t i d e l c o n f i n e . I l i m i t i naturali, storici, mentali, Bruno Mondado r i , M il a n o , 19 9 7, p . 3 5

O c c u p a t io n is in dis s olu bl y r el a t e d w i t h le g a l im plic a t io n s r e g a r din g p r o p e r t y. To ‘o c c u p y ’ ( in t e n d e d a s ‘p h y sic a l o c c u p a t io n’ ) im plici t l y r e m a r k s t h e u n p r o p e r t y of t h e s p a c e in s u bje c t . U n d e r a s p a t i a l r e a din g , o c c u p a t io n t a k e s pl a c e o u t si d e t h e b o r d e r s of t h e f o r m a l ci t y, n e e di n g t h e e x is t e n c e of a v o i d a s n e c e s s a r y p r e c o n di t io n . O c c u p a t io n is a si g n of a n u n s h a r e d a b a n d o n m e n t of a s p a c e, a s i t t a k e s pl a c e in a m o m e n t a n e o u s ‘ v oi d’. T h e o c c u p a n t s r e a d a b a n d o n m e n t n ot a s a f i x e d s t a t u s b u t a s v a c a n t s p a c e s a n d f ill, in f o r m a ll y, t h e g a p b e t w e e n n e e d of s p a c e s a n d n ot- n e e d e d s p a c e s . O c c u p a t io n is a f ir s t p a tc h t o t h e p r o ble m of ‘h o u s e s w i t h n o p e o ple a n d p e o ple w i t h n o h o u s e s’: i t is a n a c t io n t h r o u g h w hic h t h e ‘r i g h t t o h o u sin g’ is cl a im e d. I t s in dis s olu ble s t a t e of ille g a li t y d o e s n ot a llo w o c c u p a t io n t o e v ol v e in t o in h a bi t in g , c a gin g i t s s p a c e s t o a s t a t e of p e r m a n e n t p r e c a r io u s n e s s . T h e o bje c t i v e of t his r e s e a rc h is t o o v e rc o m e t h e p a r a l y z in g d e b a t e s o n t h e le g a l pl a n , t o r e a d o c c u p a t io n a s a v oi d d e t a c h e r a n d s p a c e cl a im e r. O c c u p a t io n , b e yo n d b ein g a q uic k f i x t o a n e e d, is a n o p e n q u e s t io n t o t h e ci t y, t h a t c o uld n ot f in d a n a n s w e r w i t hin le g a l p o s sibili t i e s . A r e a din g of t h e cl a im of h o u sin g in o c c u p a t io n e x a m ple s , o u t si d e t h e h o u sin g m a r k e t , a llo w s f o r a dis t in c t io n of t h e u s e - r el a t e d v a lu e s f r o m t h e e xc h a n g e - r el a t e d o n e s . 10 U n d e r t h e s e t e r m s , o c c u p a t io n c o uld b e r e a d a s a d e m a n d a r o u n d w hic h t h e p r oje c t p r o p o s a l c o uld b e r e - o r i e n t e d.

10 D e S o t o H ., T h e O t h e r P a t h: T h e Invisible Revolution in the T h i r d W o r l d, H a r p e r c o l l i n s , 19 8 9

OCCUPA RSI – TA K ING C A R E

‘A n o ccu pied h o u se is a free h o u se .’ K . To r r i , i n t e r v i e w o f 0 9. 0 3 . 2 2

To o c c u p y a s p a c e m e a n s t o s u b t r a c t t h e b uildin g f r o m a n a b a n d o n m e n t s t a t e. U n d e r t his p r e mis e, r i g h t- t o h o u si n g m o v e m e n t s d e f i n e o c c u p a t io n a s u n d e r u s e d s p a c e s’ f r e e d o m , a s f i r s t s t e p s t o e x p e r im e n t a r e - u s e of a b uildin g. B e hin d t h e c a s e s t u di e s e n c o u n t e r e d in t his r e s e a rc h , o c c u p a t io n r e v e a ls a s a n s w e r b ot h t o h o u si n g e m e r g e n c y (s h el t e r) a n d t o s o ci a l e m e r g e n c y. B y a v oi d - f illi n g of a b a n d o n e d s p a c e s , t h e b uildin g e x plo r e s a n o p e nin g t o c olle c t i v e t h a t p oli t ic a ll y p r o p o s e s a n a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e n e olib e r a l h o u sin g m o d el t h a t c h r o nici z e d t h e in di v i d u a l s t a t e of h o m el e s s n e s s a s a p e r m a n e n t e m e r g e n c y. 11 H o w e v e r, s q u a t t in g r e m a in s m a r gin a li z e d t o a ‘s t a ble p r e c a r i t y ’, w i t h e v e r y d a y p r a c t ic e of t a k in g c a r e dir e c t e d a s d e m o n s t r a t io n of ‘s p a c e d e s e r v i n g’ i n si d e t h e ci t y, in t e r m s of h o u sin g p r o v isio n a n d c o n t r ib u t io n t o c o m m u ni t y li f e of t h e lo c a l c o n t e x t . 12 T h e a rc hi t e c t u r a l p r oje c t in s e r t s in t his r e g e n e r a t io n p r o c e s s e x plo r e d by s q u a t t in g t o b uild a di a lo g u e w i t h t h e f o r m a l ci t y. T h o u g h t a s a s e r v ic e t o c o m m u ni t y, a rc hi t e c t u r e c a n m e n d t h e f r a c t u r e s of u r b a n t is s u e 13 by r e a din g e x is t in g p r o ble m s a n d p ot e n t i a li t i e s , a n d s u r gic a ll y e n t e r in g in a c h a r a c t e r i z e d c o n t e x t a f t e r a d e e p r e a din g of t h e d e m a n d s . T h r o u g h t his p r o c e s s , o c c u p a t io n p a s s e s f r o m b ein g a q uic k a n s w e r t o a n e e d t o e x p r e s s a d e m a n d a n d a s p a c e - cl a im , t h a t c o uld b e r ein s e r t e d in f o r m a l ci t y limi t s t h r o u g h a rc hi t e c t u r e. A rc hi t e c t u r e is t h e k e y t o e x i t f r o m ‘b e t t e r t h a n n ot hin g’ s olu t io n s 14 , t o b uild t o g e t h e r a pl a c e a n d a v isio n 15 , t a k in g c a r e of r i g h t s t h a t h a v e b e e n m a r gin a li z e d.

11 S q u a t t i n g i s a n i n - b e t w e e n answer to both individual s h e l t e r- n e e d a n d p o l i t i c a l alternatives to housing market. For this reason, space assumes a double claim value, which is of ten simplified in roof- giving from social housing p o l i c i e s . C a c i o t t i C ., W h e n squatting becomes ‘stable p r e c a r i t y ’. o p . c i t ., 2 0 2 0 12 I v i , p . 18 13 E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m ‘ r a m m e n d a r e ’, s t r a t e g y for architectural actions in It alian peripheries, d e v e l o p e d b y R e n z o P i a n o’s G 124 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. r e n z o p i a n o g124 . c o m/ i l - m e t o d o/ 14 A r m a t i C ., M e g l i o d i n i e n t e , m e g l i o p e r c h i ?, 2 0 17. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p:// w w w. a r m a t i . i n f o/m e g l i o n i e n t e - m e g l i o/ 15 TA M a s s o c i a t i , Ta k i n g Care. Architet ture con E m e r g e n c y, E l e c t a , M i l a n o , 2 0 17, p . 2 6

A B A NDONMEN T

‘A b a n d o n [tr a n s i tive ve rb]: 1a . t o g ive u p t o the c o n tro l o r i nfl ue nc e o f ano ther per so n o r age n t , 1b . to give u p wi th the i n te n t o f never agai n c lai mi ng a righ t o r i n terest i n .’ D e f i n i t i o n o f ‘a b a n d o n’, M e r r i a m - W e b s t e r o n li n e d i c t i o n a r y

A b a n d o n m e n t is a m o m e n t in t h e li f e c ycle of a b uildin g , in w hic h t h e b uil t e n v elo p e is dis e n g a g e d by i t s p r e v io u s f u n c t io n . B y a p p r o a c hin g a rc hi t e c t u r e a s a p r o c e s s , a b a n d o n m e n t r e v e a ls a s ‘in - b e t w e e n’ c o n di t io n a n d n ot a p e r m a n e n t a n d ir r e v e r sible s t a t u s . A b a n d o n m e n t is t h e n e c e s s a r y g r o u n d f o r r e si g ni f ic a t io n of pl a c e s , t h e f r e ein g of c o n s t r u c t io n f r o m p r e v io u s s c h e m e s t o e m b r a c e t h e n e c e s s a r y a m bi g ui t y a n d t o w elc o m e n e w li f e s c e n a r io s , in lin e w i t h t h e c h a n g e d n e e d s of t h e in h a bi t in g c o m m u ni t y 16 . A s t h e n e c e s s a r y p r e mis e f o r u r b a n r e c o n f i g u r a t io n , i t r e q uir e s a n a c t i v e t h o u g h t a ble t o r e - in h a bi t t h e s p a c e in a n e w w a y. 17 A b a n d o n m e n t g e n e r a t e s f r a c t u r e s a n d f r a gili t y in si d e t h e u r b a n t is s u e, r e f le c t in g in a p e rc ei v e d c a r ele s s of t h e ‘s o ci a l - m e a nin g’ of ci t i e s . 18 S q u a t t in g is of t e n a n e x a m ple of in s t i t u t io n a l a b a n d o n m e n t of b uildin g s c olli din g w hi t ci t i z e n s cl a im of s p a c e. I t d e m o n s t r a t e s t h a t a b a n d o n m e n t is n ot a n i m p o s e d c o n di t io n , b u t a m o m e n t of b uil di n g u n u s e, t h a t is u n s h a r e d by p a r t of p o p ul a t io n . T h e o c c u p a t io n of a f a b r ic ini t i a t e s t h a t ‘s ele c t io n’ of t h e e x is t i n g n e c e s s a r y f o r u r b a n r e g e n e r a t io n 19 , t h r o u g h a p r o c e s s of m a p pin g of s t r a t e gic a ll y lo c a t e d b uil di n g s , w h o s e a b a n d o n m e n t h a s b e e n q u e s t io n e d t h r o u g h p u blic a s s e m bli e s . T h e pl a ci n g of n e w u s e s is e x p e r im e n t e d t h r o u g h t e c h ni q u e s of a d a p t a t io n t h a t r e c o n f i g u r e ‘c o n v e n t io n s b e t w e e n s p a c e s a n d t h eir o r i gin a l h o w - t o - u s e’ 2 0 , sile n t l y t r a n s f o r min g t h e w a y of in h a bi t in g t h e ci t y.

16 A b e n i a T., A b a n d o n m e n t a s u n t h o u g h t, p . 3 11 i n H u t i n C ., C o m m u n i t i e s a t w o r k . P a v i l l o n f r a n ç a i s d e l a 17 exposition internationale d ’a r c h i t e c t u r e - L a B i e n n a l e d i Ve n e z i a, D o m i n i q u e C a r r é é d i t e u r, P a r i s , 2 0 2 1 17 C u r c i F., Z a n f i F., A b b a n d o n i i n C e r s o s i m o D., D o n z e l l i C ., M a n i f e s t o p e r r i a b i t a r e l ’ I t a l i a, D o n z e l l i E d i t o r e , Roma, 2020, p.58 18 E n g l i s h t r a n s l a t i o n f o r ‘ s e n s o - s o c i a l e ’. K a t i a To r r i , t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e problem of baby gang, dif fused in Parma and argument of politic al debate, sees the problem i n ‘ s p a t i a l t e r m s ’, a s ‘ a n entire generation of people n o t h a v i n g s p a c e s .’, inter view of 09.03.22 19 D e R o s s i A ., M a s c i n o L ., R i g e n e r a z i o n e i n C e r s o s i m o D., D o n z e l l i C ., o p . c i t ., p . 2 0 4 2 0 B o e r i S ., C o a b i t a r e n e l l ’a c c a m p a m e n t o u r b a n o, i n G u e r z o n i M ., D a l l a c a s a a l l ’a b i t a r e . Storie di case e di persone a l t e m p o d e l l a c r i s i g l o b a l e, Damiani Editore, Bologna, 2 0 10 , p . 2 6 23

VOID

‘ What wi l l i t hap pe n o f the sp ac e as vo i d? To o o f te n i t ap pear s o n ly as a gap .’ H e i d e g g e r M ., L’a r t e e l o s p a z i o, i l n u o v o m e l a n g o l o , G e n o v a , 2 0 0 3 , p . 3 7

T h e t e r m v oi d in clu d e s b ot h a p h y sic a l a n d t h e o r e t ic a l c o n n ot a t io n . I t s d e f ini t io n p r o c e e d s f o r n e g a t io n: a v oi d is w h a t is n ot , c o uld n ot , o r di d n ot w a n t t o b e s o m e t hi n g els e. 2 1 A n ‘in - d e f ini t io n’ b a s e d o n t h e s t a t e m e n t of ‘di f f e r e n c e’ f r o m a r e f e r e n c e m o d el o r e x p e r i e n c e. 2 2 Voi d a s p h y sic a l a b s e n c e, e v ol v e s in t h e a b s e n c e of u rb a n i tè 23 , in t e n d e d a s t h e c a p a ci t y of in clu d e t h e u r b a n c o m ple x i t y, g e n e r a t in g p r o ble m s of s o ci a l m a r gin a li z a t io n a n d e xclu sio n . P h y sic a ll y, a ‘ v oi d’ is a s p a c e w h o s e i d e n t i t y is d e f i n e d b y i t s b o r d e r s . 24 I t is t o s a y t h a t a v oi d is a c o n s e q u e n t i a l s p a c e r e s ul t a n t f r o m t h e n e e d of e xclu sio n’s b o r d e r s: i t is a c o n f in e d s p a c e c r e a t e d t o s e g r e g a t e w h a t i s n o t, c o u l d n o t o r wo u l d n o t b e p a r t of t h e ci t y. A v oi d c a n m a t e r i a li z e u n d e r di f f e r e n t m o r p h olo gi e s a n d p h y sic a l c o n n ot a t io n s , d e p e n di n g o n i t s o r i gin a n d c o n t e x t . S o ci a ll y, t h e p h y sic a l v oi d f in d s i t s t r a n sl a t io n in t h e c o n di t io n of m a r gin a li t y. P e o ple li v in g a t t h e ‘m a r gin s’ m a k e, m o s t of t h e t im e f o rcibl y, of t h e ‘b o r d e rc o n di t io n’ 2 5 t h eir li v in g o n e. To a s p a t i a l ‘m a r gin c o n di t io n’ c o r r e s p o n d s t h e s o ci a l ‘m a r gi n a li z e d’ s t i g m a , in h a bi t in g a s p a c e b elo n gin g t o ‘ot h e r s’. D e s pi t e i t s m a r gin a li z a t io n , t h e s p a t i a l u n c e r t a in t y e n clo s e d in t h e v oi d b u r s t s in t o t h e s p a t i a l f a mili a r i t y of t h e f o r m a l ci t y, a s m a ni f e s t a t io n of in t e r n a l f r a c t u r e. 2 6 T his r e s e a rc h e x plo r e s o c c u p a t io n a s a n a l t e r n a t i v e p r a c t ic e t h a t c h a lle n g e s t h e i d e n t i f ic a t io n of v oi d s w i t h abandonment.

21 The definition by negation of ‘void’ was suggested by the research of Oriz zontale, Vuoto. Uno spa zio p u b b l i c o t r a n s m e d i a l e, 2 0 19 a v a i l a b l e a t h t t p:// w w w. o r i z z o n t a l e . o r g / p o r t f o l i o _ p a g e/ v u o t o/ 2 2 E s p u e l a s F. , I l V u o t o . Riflessioni sullo spazio in a r c h i t e t t u r a, p . 9 , M a r i n o t t i edizioni, Milano, 2004 2 3 M i l o c c o B o r l i n i M ., S a n t u s K , S a r t o r i o S ., S c a i o l i A . L . N ., L a c r i s i d e l v u o t o i n M a n i g r a s s o M ., O F F I C I N A *, n . 3 2 , A n t e f e r m a , Venezia, 2020 24 B o r d e r s e x c l u d e a s p a c e f r o m i t s ‘ t e m p o r a r i n e s s’ and allows its inhabiting. Voids, however considered as unbuilt or functional absence, are excluded by the borders of inhabited space, configuring as vulnerable and unmeasurable spaces. 25 ‘In the impossibilit y of defining a space in a p r e c i s e w a y, t h e b o r d e r becomes the place in which w e a r e l o c a t e d .’ (a u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n) Z a n i n i P., I significati del confine. I limiti naturali, storici, m e n t a l i, M o n d a d o r i , M i l a n o , 19 9 7, p . 4 8 2 6 V o i d i s ‘d i s c o n t i n u i t y i n s i d e h o m o g e n e i t y ’ (a u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n), F. E s p u e l a s , o p . c i t ., p . 4 3

‘ M a n y a r e t h e c i t i e s l i k e Ph yl l i s , wh i c h e l u d e t h e g l aze o f a l l, e x c e p t t h e m a n wh o c a t c h e s t h e m by s u rp ri s e .’

‘ M o l t e s o n o l e c i t t à c o m e Fi l l i d e c h e s i s o t t r a g g o n o a g l i s g u a rd i t r a n n e c h e s e l e c o g l i d i s o rp r e s a .’

C a l v i n o I . , L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , L e c i t t à e g l i o c c h i (4), F i l l i d e, p . 9 0 t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W. , V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

IN T RODUC T ION

IN T RODUC T ION A METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH Habitar Digno S o ci a l p h ot o g r a p h y Urban L aborator y

A METHODOLOGY OF RESEARCH T h i s r e s e a r c h i s a p r o c e s s o f d i s c ove r y t h a t t o u c h e d the complexit y and richness of urban environment t h o u g h d i f f e r e n t a p p r o a c h e s , t o a c k n ow l e d g e i n f o r m a l c o n t r i b u t i o n i n s i d e a r c h i t e c t u r a l p r a c t i c e. Sani t ar ian cr isis, which af fected the Wor ld in the p a s t ye a r s , a c c e l e r a t e d t h e e m e r g e n c e o f u n b e a r a b l e discrepancies, translated into space af fordabilit y i n s i d e t h e c i t y. A focus on informalit y is a necessar y preliminar y step t o o r i e n t a n d a c t i o n i n t h e p r e s e n t t i m e: r e a d i n g t h e c o m p l e x i t y o f t h e c o n t e x t , i n v e s t i g a t i n g s o c i e t y ’s claims expressed through informalit y and proposing a n i n h a b i t i n g o f c i t y ’s vo i d s c o u l d s u p p o r t r e c o g n i s e d c l a i m s a n d e m b r a c e i n h a b i t a n t s’ p o t e n t i a l i t i e s . The following pages r ise from and move on the accept ance ‘s t a b l e p r e c a r i t y ’ o f c o n t e m p o r a r y c o n t e x t , w i t h t h e u n a vo i d a b l e a n d u n p r e d i c t a b l e c o n s e q u e n c e s r e l a t e d t o i t b u t , a l s o, w i t h i t s p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r r e l a t i o n s h i p exploration. Design project is approached with a transnational v i e w ( H a b i t a r D i g n o), t h r o u g h a l a y e r e d o b s e r v a t i o n (S o c i a l p h o t o g r a p h y) a n d a s m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y p r a c t i c e o f u r b a n a c t i o n ( L a b o r a t o r i o U r b a n o O l t r e t o r r e n t e). The complexit y of the urban contex t in embraced for i t s b e i n g n o t o n l y a n e e d - d e m a n d e r, b u t a l s o a c l a i m af firmation, guiding the process of design inside an existing flourish ground.

A r t . 2 5/1. E v e r y o n e has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself a n d o f h i s f a m i l y, including foods, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social s e r vi c e s [...]

OHCHR,Universal Declaration of Human R i g h t s, A r t i c l e n . 2 5 / 1, 19 7 8 , p . 4 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. o h c h r. o r g / s i t e s /d e f a u l t / files/Documents/ Publications/ ABCannexesen.pdf

Habi t ar Digno South America has been a training laborator y for understanding the impact of architecture as political act, considering the consequences of spatial actions in t h e s o c i a l c o n t e x t . T h e m ove m e n t s r a i s e d i n S a n t i a g o i n O c t o b e r 2 0 19 m a d e a r c h i t e c t u r a l a c a d e m i c s to interrogate on their not-suf ficient or negative c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e g r ow t h o f s o c i a l g a p. T h e i n ve s t i g a t i o n f o r t h i s r e s e a r c h s t a r t e d o n a p e r i o d o f s t u d i e s s p e n t a b r o a d , i n Ch i l e. S a n t i a g o d e l Ch i l e has been a florid ground to approach practices of ‘i n f o r m a l i t y ’: s o ci a l h o us i n g p r o g r a ms d eve l o p e d a r o u n d 19 6 0 s we r e i n c l u d i n g p r a c t i c e s o f s e l f- b u i l d i n g to accomplish the great demand of accommodations. T h i s p r o c e d u r e l e a d , y e a r s l a t e r, t o a c o m p l e x c i t y pat tern where newly built neighbourhood are flanked by ‘ i n f o r m a l a r e a s’, t h e s o - c a l l e d b a rri o s ( p e r i p h e r i e s). Nowadays Santiago, struggling with increasing demand and densification of cit y centres, is under the economic pressure of real estate market, which sees, for these ‘informal’ areas, a possibilit y for economic profit. In fact, far from being in peripheral areas and englobed by the urban sprawl, lots devoted to X X c e n t u r y h o u s i n g p r o g r a m s , a r e n ow a d ay s i n t e r e s t i n g l a n d s f o r i n ve s t m e n t . On this contested ground, architectural e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n s a r e t h i n k i n g o f d e n s i f i c a t i o n ’s alternatives in which informalit y could be read as b o t h c l a i m a n d r e s o u r c e, a s s i g n o f a f l o r i d g r o u n d o n which to inser t an architectural regeneration process.1 Par allel to t he ques t ion of barrios, Chilean professionals star t to interrogate on their par ticipation to the construction of minimum-standard habitations, a c c u s e d o f i n - a d e q u a t e d i m e n s i o n s f o r a wo r t h - l i v i n g 2 . Chile and South America promote an approach to informal not as a temporal emergency to dismantle, but as a strategy to cope with the urban environment.

1.1

‘Micro- apar tments’ of fered by Chilean housing market demonstrate inadequade for a respect able living standard. Protest by architecture students ‘ H a b i t a r D i g n o ’, P l a z a It alia, Santiago de C h i l e , 2 0 19 , p h o t o b y To m à s B r a v o h t t p s :// artishockrevista. c o m / 2 0 19 / 11/ 0 1/ p o r- u n h a b i t a r- d i g n o /

1 L a b o r a t o r i o 9 x 18 , a c a d e m i c research group inside Pontificia Universidad Catòlic a de Chile. Information available at: h t t p://a r q u i t e c t u r a . u c . c l/ i n v e s t i g a c i o n/g r u p o s . 2 ‘ H a b i t a r d i g n o’ i s a c a m p a i g n born in Chile during 2 0 19 p r o t e s t s , f i g h t i n g for the right to housing as human right. Among the promoters, Ciudad Consituyente published papers on right to housing inclusion in the new Chilean constitution. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// radicalhousingjournal. o r g /2 0 21/c i u d a d c o n s t i t u y e n t e/

‘Basically, I am photographing my o w n c u r i o s i t y. W h a t I a m c u ri o u s a b o u t i s what I take picture o f, a n d I d o n’ t k n o w what I am curious about until I take a photograph. It t e a c h e s m e .’ Joel Meyerowitz, Contemporary Photography in USA, Michael Engler Film Production, 19 8 2 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h? v= b1g I C U 1H 78 s & t=3 6 3 s

So cial pho t o gr aphy The research has been guided from a constant obser vation. To o b s e r v e m e a n s t o w e a r c o m f o r t a b l e s h o e s 3 a n d e n t e r t h e s p a c e o f t h e o t h e r, i t i s a p h y s i c a l a c t t h a t i m p l i e s t h e a c k n ow l e d g m e n t o f a n o b s e r v a t i o n f i e l d , with its ex tension, limits, and frontiers. Under these t e r m s , o b s e r v a t i o n i s a n a r c h i t e c t u r a l p r o c e s s , h av i n g space and people-in-the-space as investigating elements. The shoot in fact is not only a temporal f r a m e, e x t r a c t e d f r o m t h e t i m e f l ow i n g , b u t i t i s a l s o a por tion of space4 peculiar for its synthesis of a r e a l i t y, s o c i a l t h e m a t i c o r l i f e d i s p l ay i n g b e yo n d i t . I n p a r t i c u l a r, s o c i a l p h o t o g r a p h y t a k e s c a r e o f r e c o r d i n g and communicating stories of contemporar y societ y that usually remain untold. F o r t h i s r e a s o n , i t w a s c h o s e n t o u n ve i l t h e i n f o r m a l under world inhabiting the voids of nowadays cities, as a preliminar y step of the design process. Pho togr a phic obser va t ion r evea led f unda men t a l to cope w i t h a f a m i l i a r r e a l i t y, a s t h e c i t y o f P a r m a wa s. T h r o u g h t h e c a m e r a , t h e c i t y w a s a b l e t o b e o b s e r ve d w i t h n e w e ye s , a l l ow i n g a t r a n s n a t i o n a l m i g r a t i o n o f k n ow l e d g e necessar y to recognize informal manifestations into I t a l i a n c o n t e x t . I t a l l owe d t o e n t e r r e a l i t y a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e , t o o b s e r v e i t f r o m t h e e x t e r i o r, b u i l d i n g a t h e o r e t i c a l b r i d g e w i t h t h e m e c h a n i s m o f s e l f- b u i l t c i t i z e n s h i p o b s e r ve d i n S o u t h A m e r i c a . Photography also becomes a form of communication obser vation, to inform and to place urgent questions i n t o p u b l i c d e b a t e . To p h o t o g r a p h m e a n s t o g i v e i m p o r t a n c e 5 , t o d i s t i n g u i s h a n d d e c l a r e a s p e c t s wo r t h t o o b s e r ve, e m b o d y i n g a f u n d a m e n t a l d e v i c e t o n a r r a t e a n u n s e e n r e a l i t y u n d e r t h e c i t y ’s e ye s . 6

1. 2

Photography allows to enter the dimension of occupation and understand its layer of t a k i n g c a r e (o c c u p a r s i ) . Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

3 A A . V V., W e a r g o o d s h o e s . Advice from Magnum P h o t o g r a p h e r s, M a g n u m P h o t o s , 2 0 19 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. m a g n u m p h o t o s . c o m/l e a r n/ w p - c o n t e n t / u p l o a d s/2 019 / 0 4/ MagnumPhotos _ WearGoodShoes _ 2nd _ Edition.pdf 4 S o n t a g S ., S u l l a f o t o g r a f i a . Realtà e immagine nella nostra società, Piccola B i b l i o t e c a E i n a u d i , To r i n o , 2 0 0 4 (19 7 3 ), p . 2 1 5 Ivi, p. 25 6 ‘[…] t h e c a m e r a i s a n instrument that teaches people how to see without c amer a’ Dorothe a L ange, q u o t e d i n D y e r G ., T h e o n g o i n g m o m e n t, V i n t a g e B o o k s , N e w Yo r k , 2 0 0 5 , p . 9 3 3

‘A r c h i t e c t u r e i s t o o i m p o r t a n t t o b e h a n d l e d by a r c h i t e c t s a l o n e .’ G i a n c a r l o D e C a r l o , L’a r c h i t e t t u r a d e l l a p a r t e c i p a z i o n e , Q u o d i l i b e t , M a c e r a t a , 2 0 13 ( 19 7 2 ). A u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m : ‘ L’a r c h i t e t t u r a è t r o p p o i m p o r t a n t e p e r e s s e r e l a s c i a t a a g l i a r c h i t e t t i .’

Urban L ab or a t or y The reading of neighbourhood Oltretorrente, object (a n d s u b j e c t ) o f t h e r e s e a r c h , s t a r t e d i n t e r m s o f m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y l a b o r a t o r y. T h e c u l t u r a l a s s o c i a t i o n Manifat tura Urbana, exper t in par ticipator y design and urban regeneration, built a team of students and researchers to narrate the complexity of a neighbourhood. Oltretorrente is a strongly recognizable area of the c i t y, w h i c h c o n t a i n s a d e f i n e d i d e n t i t y a n d , a t t h e s a m e t i m e, c o n t e s t e d a n d o p p o s e d i d e a s o f n e i g h b o u r h o o d . O b s e r ve d t h r o u g h d i f f e r e n t e ye s , t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d has been transcribed into a system of various coexisting conditions that could orient consciously the projects of the research-team individuals. T h e s y n e r g y a m o n g t r a n s ve r s a l a p p r o a c h e s t o t h e c i t y i s c o n s i d e r e d t h e p r e c o n d i t i o n f o r a n e f f e c t i ve a c t i o n o n t h e p h y s i c a l s p a c e. T h e a c k n ow l e d g m e n t o f c o m p l e x i t y and its critical vision reveals a system on which to inser t,7 both suppor ting existing potentialities and sewing its fractures. T h r o u g h se m i na r s a n d d e ba t e s w i t h g u e s t s’ p r o f e s so r s, the team delineated the dif ference bet ween ‘urban r e s t o r a t i o n’ a n d ‘u r b a n r e g e n e r a t i o n’, o n l y t h e l a t t e r a b l e t o i n vo l ve c i t i z e n s a s a c t o r, a n d n o t o n l y p u b l i c, o n t h e u r b a n s t a g e. To ‘ r e t h i n k t h e c i t y ’ 8 i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o i n v o l v e the citizens as thinking subjects. With this aim, par ticipation is displayed as design tool from the preliminar y stages of urban reading, though inter views and on-field campaigns. Moved by the belief of architecture as a collective p r a c t i c e a n d s e r v i c e f o r t h e c o m m u n i t y, t h e L a b o r a t o r y r e a d t h e l aye r s o f t h e c i t y a s c o m p e n e t r a t i n g r e a l i t i e s , cons t i t u t ing i t s complex image: in t his way, Ol t r e tor r en te c o n f i g u r e d a s a n i n t r i c a t e n e t wo r k o f s p a c e s r e l a t i o n s 9 , where the exper t inser ts as moderator to wave new plots of interaction and untie problematic knots.

1. 3

Te a m o f L a b o r a t o r i o Urbano Oltretorrente. Photo by Francesco Fulvi, 2020

7 C o m e l l i T., B l u P a r m a, l e c t u r e for Laboratorio Urbano O l t r e t o r r e n t e , 13 .11. 2 0 8 ‘It is therefore not easy to t h i n k o f t h e c i t y, i m p o s i n g the time of a reflection that does not fit in with its over whelming way of e x i s t i n g . H o w e v e r, […] it is necessar y to at least understand if the cit y is congruous with the time we a r e l i v i n g .’ B o s i A ., P e n s a r e l a c i t t à, i n L a s o c i e t à d e g l i i n d i v i d u i, n . 6 6 p . 6 2 - 7 0 , 2 0 19 9 F l o r i s F, R i p e n s a r e l ’a b i t a r e: c o m e i n t e n d e r e l ’a b i t a r e s o c i a l e n e l l e c i t t à’, l e c t u r e for Laboratorio Urbano O l t r e t o r r e n t e , 2 6 .11. 2 0

‘[…] sometimes dif ferent cities follow one another on the same site and under the same name, born and dying without knowing one another, without communication among themselves .’ ‘ […] talvolta cit tà diver se si succedono sopra lo stesso suolo e sot to lo stesso nome, nascono e muoiono senza esser si conosciute, incomunicabili tra loro.’

C a l v i n o I ., L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , L e c i t t à e i l n o m e (4 ), C l a r i c e , p . 10 4 , t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W., V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

BEING OLT R E

BEING OLT R E 2 .1

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OTHER SIDE 2.1.1 OUTSIDE THE TORRENT 2.1.2 BESIDE THE TORRENT 2.1.3 ACROSS THE TORRENT 2.1.4 BEYOND THE TORRENT

2.2

LIVING OLTRE TORRENTE C e n t r a l p e r ip h e r y

T h e ci t y of P a r m a is c r o s s e d by t h e h o m o n y m o u s t o r r e n t , f a mili a r l y c a lle d by t h e ci t i z e n s ‘l a P a r m a’. B r in gin g t h e s a m e n a m e, t h eir c o u r s e a n d e v olu t io n is e n t a n gle d a lo n g t h e c e n t u r i e s , o n a n a r e a w h e r e t h e h u m a n e s t a blis h m e n t w a s g ui d e d by t h e t o r r e n t v a r i a t io n s . T h e w a t e r p r e s e n c e in f lu e n c e d g e o g r a p hic a ll y a n d s o ci a ll y t h e u n f oldin g of in h a bi t e d s e t t le m e n t s a lo n g i t s b a n k s . Indeed, the torrent, accompanying the evolution of the ci t y, h a s m a r k e d t h e s o ci a l dis c r e p a n ci e s c o - in h a bi t in g t h e u r b a n a r e a , t h u s m a t e r i a li z in g a w el f a r e - b a s e d z o nin g. To r r e n t P a r m a r e p r e s e n t s a f r ac t u r e in sid e t h e u r b a n p a tc h, o v e r p a s s e d by p u n c t u a l b r i d g e s w hic h , a t t h e s a m e t im e, a r e g a t e w a y s a n d s e p a r a t io n m a r k s b e t w e e n t h e t w o si d e s . A lo n g t h e t o r r e n t b a n k s , t h e b uildin g s of t h e P a r m a c e n t ro lin e u p a s t r o o p, f a cin g t h e ‘ot h e r ’ si d e, w h a t is ‘d e d l’a d a l’a c q ua’, o l t re ( b e y o n d ) t h e t o r r e n t . B e i n g ‘ o l t r e’ h a s b e e n t h e i n t r i n s i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f the neighbourhood Oltretorrente, literally ‘beyond the torrent’ since its foundation. This oltre condition, s o m e t im e s im p o s e d, ot h e r t im e s d e f e n d e d a n d cl a im e d, h a s c h a r a c t e r i z e d , a lo n g t h e c e n t u r i e s , t h e s t r o n g i d e n t i t y lin k e d t o t h e a r e a a n d t o i t s in h a bi t a n t s . The torrent, as a constant impenetrable edge , defined a d i r e c t i o n a li t y f o r t h e c i t y d e v e l o p m e n t a n d d e c l a r e d a n u n q u e s t io n a ble c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n t h e t w o si d e s , w i t h crossing bridges as the only possible stitches on an unrepair able fr acture, regulating and controlling the a c c e s s t o t h e ‘ot h e r ’. The retracement of the neighbourhood genesis and c o n s e q u e n t d e v elo p m e n t w ill b e g ui d e d by a r e a din g of i t s b ein g ‘o l t re’ r e s p e c t t o P a r m a C e n t r o, a n d i t s e v olu t io n along the centuries, investigating the relationship bet ween these t wo facing cities and its statement in f o r m of u r b a n in t e r v e n t io n s .

1 Edges are one of the five elements describing a cit y-image according to Ly n c h : t h e ‘ a r e b o u n d a r i e s bet ween t wo phases, linear b r e a k s i n c o n t i n u i t y […] lateral references rather t h a n c o o r d i n a t e a x e s .’ i n Ly n c h K ., T h e i m a g e o f t h e c i t y, T h e M I T p r e s s , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , 19 6 0 , p . 47 3 9

2 .1 E S TA BL ISHMEN T OF T HE OTH ER SIDE

2 .1

Smeraldo Smeraldi, Iconographic plan of

P a r m a , r e c o r d e d i n 15 9 2 and dedicated to Ranuccio I F a r n e s e i n 16 0 1, p h o t o of the original, lost in the W WII bombings in A A . V V. , P a r m a l a C i t t à S t o r i c a , p . 15 7

T h e ci t y of P a r m a is c r o s s e d by t h e h o m o n y m o u s t o r r e n t , f a mili a r l y c a lle d by t h e ci t i z e n s ‘l a P a r m a’. B r in gin g t h e s a m e n a m e, t h eir c o u r s e a n d e v olu t io n is e n t a n gle d a lo n g t h e c e n t u r i e s , o n a n a r e a w h e r e t h e h u m a n e s t a blis h m e n t w a s g ui d e d by t h e t o r r e n t v a r i a t io n s . T h e w a t e r p r e s e n c e in f lu e n c e d g e o g r a p hic a ll y a n d s o ci a ll y t h e u n f oldin g of in h a bi t e d s e t t le m e n t s a lo n g i t s b a n k s . Indeed, the torrent, accompanying the evolution of the ci t y, h a s m a r k e d t h e s o ci a l dis c r e p a n ci e s c o - in h a bi t in g t h e u r b a n a r e a , t h u s m a t e r i a li z in g a w el f a r e - b a s e d z o nin g. To r r e n t P a r m a r e p r e s e n t s a f r ac t u r e in sid e t h e u r b a n p a tc h, o v e r p a s s e d by p u n c t u a l b r i d g e s w hic h , a t t h e s a m e t im e, a r e g a t e w a y s a n d s e p a r a t io n m a r k s b e t w e e n t h e t w o si d e s . A lo n g t h e t o r r e n t b a n k s , t h e b uildin g s of t h e P a r m a c e n t ro lin e u p a s t r o o p, f a cin g t h e ‘ot h e r ’ si d e, w h a t is ‘d e d l’a d a l’a c q ua’, o l t re ( b e y o n d ) t h e t o r r e n t . B e i n g ‘ o l t r e’ h a s b e e n t h e i n t r i n s i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f the neighbourhood Oltretorrente, literally ‘beyond the torrent’ since its foundation. This oltre condition, s o m e t im e s im p o s e d, ot h e r t im e s d e f e n d e d a n d cl a im e d, h a s c h a r a c t e r i z e d , a lo n g t h e c e n t u r i e s , t h e s t r o n g i d e n t i t y lin k e d t o t h e a r e a a n d t o i t s in h a bi t a n t s . T h e t o r r e n t , a s a c o n s t a n t i m p e n e t r a b l e e d g e 1, d e f i n e d a d i r e c t i o n a li t y f o r t h e c i t y d e v e l o p m e n t a n d d e c l a r e d a n u n q u e s t io n a ble c o n t r a s t b e t w e e n t h e t w o si d e s , w i t h crossing bridges as the only possible stitches on an unrepair able fr acture, regulating and controlling the a c c e s s t o t h e ‘ot h e r ’. The retracement of the neighbourhood genesis and c o n s e q u e n t d e v elo p m e n t w ill b e g ui d e d by a r e a din g of i t s b ein g ‘o l t re’ r e s p e c t t o P a r m a C e n t r o, a n d i t s e v olu t io n along the centuries, investigating the relationship bet ween these t wo facing cities and its statement in f o r m of u r b a n in t e r v e n t io n s .

2 Edges are one of the five elements describing a cit y-image according to Ly n c h : t h e ‘ a r e b o u n d a r i e s bet ween t wo phases, linear b r e a k s i n c o n t i n u i t y […] lateral references rather t h a n c o o r d i n a t e a x e s .’ i n Ly n c h K ., T h e i m a g e o f t h e c i t y, T h e M I T p r e s s , M a s s a c h u s e t t s , 19 6 0 , p . 47 4 3

OLT R E T HE T OR R EN T A n his t o r ic a l jo u r n e y o n t h e o t h e r si d e ‘Th e c i t y o f Pa r m a i s d i v i d e d b y a r i v e r w i t h t h e s a m e n a m e , wh o s e wate r s , e xc e p t fo r th e h e avi ly r a i n y ti m e s , a re e a s i ly c r o s s a b l e: th e m i n o r p a r t [o f th e c i t y], i n h a b i te d b y th e m o s t i g n o b l e p e r s o n s , c o n s i s ti n g i n a l m o s t o n e th i r d o f th e c i t y, i s c a l l e d , by the i n ha b i ta n t s , ‘ C o d i p o n te’, a n d re m a i n s to wa r d Pi a c e n z a .’

3 F. G u i c c i a r d i n i , S t o r i a d ’ I t a l i a, l i b r o X I V, a c u r a di C. Panigada, vol. 4,

‘ D i v i d e l a c i t t à d i Pa r m a n o n c o n t a l i a c q u e c h e n o n s i p o s s a , e c c e t to c h e n e’ te m p i m o l to p i o vo s i , g u a d a r e , u n f i u m e d e l m e d e s i m o n o m e: l a m i n o r p a r te de l l a qu a l e , a b i tata d a p e r s o n e p i ù i g n o b i l i , che è circa la terza parte del tutto, detta dagli a b i ta to ri i l C o d i p o n te , ri m a n e ve r s o Pi a c e n z a .’ 2

L a t e r z a , B a r i , 19 2 9 , p . 10 0 in M. Becchet ti, p.29

OU T SIDE T HE T OR R EN T IX CENTURY Roman inheritance and the walled city From Roman foundation u n t i l t h e 110 0 , t h e c i t y developed as expansion of t h e Rom a n castrum, following the development a xes of Via Aemilia and i t s o r t h o g o n a l c a rd o. T h e directories were oriented basing on the topography of the torrent. Outside the torrent, the area consisted in swamplands studded by hut settlements.

2. 2

Author’s graphic

e l a b o r a t i o n f r o m A A . V V., Parma la cit tà storica, op. 44

c i t ., p . 8 1

1178 Delimiting the settlement of Capo di Ponte The torrent flood of 117 7 f o r c e d t h e c i t y t o a redefinition of its limits: the w a ll s a r e e x t e n d e d t o i n c l u d e d e o t h e r- s i d e s e t t l e m e n t o f C a p o d i P o n t e (n o w c o u n t i n g religious buildings and surrounding residential areas)and the existing bridge connections ( pons l a p i d i s) a r e r e - e s t a b l i s h e d and reinforced.

2.3

Author’s graphic e l a b o r a t i o n f r o m V. Banzola, Parma la città s t o r i c a , o p . c i t ., p .10 9

BE SIDE T HE T OR R EN T 1212 Establishment of Gothic Lots The settlement beside the torrent expands with autonomous characteristics r e s p e c t t o t h e o r t h o g o n a l ci t y centre of Roman foundation. Agricultural lands give their way to the Gothic lots, with a gradual parcelization of the districts(rioni ) cut by disorganized narrow streets ( b o r g h i ).

2.4

Author’s graphic e l a b o r a t i o n f r o m V. Banzola, Parma la città s t o r i c a , o p . c i t ., p .12 5

1592 Two facing cities W i t h t h e F a r n e s e s ( 15 4 5 ) Parma underwent a period of urban renovations. The embellishment campaigns contributed to materialize, through urban projects,the social inequalities among the t wo torrent-sides. The construction of the dukes g a r d e n , i n 15 6 1, d e l i m i t s Oltretorrente in its north expansion. 2.5

Author’s graphic elaboration from

Smeraldo Smeraldi, Iconographic plan o f P a r m a , 15 9 2 i n V. Banzola, Parma la città storica, op. cit.

ACROSS THE TORRENT 1850 Parma Nuova and Parma Vecchia At the doors of State Unification, Parma is internally divided. On one side Parma Nuova, the renewed area inhabited by illuminated bourgeois, and on the other Parma Ve c c h i a, t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d across the torrent hosting proletarian citizens escaped by fieldwork.

2.6

Author’s graphic

elaboration from Pietro Mazza, Map of the city o f P a r m a , 18 5 0 i n V. Banzola, Parma la città 46

storica, op. cit.

1914 Beyond agitations At the turn of the First Wo r l d W a r, O l t r e t o r r e n t e ‘s reput ation was spreading in the national chronicles for workers agitation and bad housing conditions. U n h e a l t h y c r o w d e d dis t r ic t s , crossed by unpaved alleys and flanked by cultivated fields, was constructing the image of the area beyond the torrent: Oltretorrente, no more wall enclosed was divided and marginalised f r o m t h e c i t y.

2 .7

Author’s graphic e l a b o r a t i o n f r o m P. Conforti, Le mura di Parma v o l . I I , P a r m a 19 8 0

BEYOND THE TORRENT 1938 Periphery in the city centre Agitations and disorders beyond the torrent has been suppressed with the material dismemberment of the popular neighbourhood. R i s a n a m e n t o f i r s t ( 19 2 8 ) , and regulatory plans l a t e r (19 3 3 - 3 7 ) i m p o s e d rectification and order to the tortuous streets characterizing the area, causing a displacement of the borghi inhabitants and suburban expansion of the c i t y. O l t r e t o r r e n t e b e c a m e a peripher y in the cit y centre . 2.8

Author’s graphic elaboration from PRG, 18 37, A S C P, c o l l . Q 4 c a s s . 4 .18

2 .1.1 OU T SIDE T HE TOR R EN T Settlement of Capo di Ponte

‘ O l tre to rre n te a r o s e a n d de ve l o p e d a s s e t tl e m e n t s o f m i g r a n t s , o f a g ri c u l t u r a l wo rke r s wi th o u t l a n d , c a m e i n th e c i t y fr o m e ve r y wh e re a r o u n d , wi th th e h o p e o f s u r vivi n g to h u n ge r, p e l l ag r a , m a l a ri a .’

4 P. C a c u c c i , O l t r e t o r r e n t e, Feltrinelli, Milano, 20 03

2.9

Aerial view of

Oltreorrente with the originar y nucleus of the church. Photo by Giacomo L aver sa, 2021

‘ L’ O l t r e t o r r e n t e n a c q u e e s i s v i l u p p ò c o m e insediamento di migranti, contadini senza terra venuti in città da ogni dove nella speranza di soprav vivere alla fame, alla pellagra , alla malaria .’ 3

A t t h e R o m a n f o u n d a t io n of P a r m a , in 18 3 b. C., t h e c i vi t a s w a s e n t ir el y c o n f in e d o n t h e e a s t si d e of t h e t o r r e n t . O n ‘o t h e r s i d e’, l a t e r d e f i n e d a s O l t r e - t o r r e n t e ( l i t e r a l l y, ‘ b e h i n d t h e t o r r e n t ’ ), h u t s s e t t l e m e n t s w e r e b u il t o v e r s w a m pl a n d s , r e m a r k a bl y c o n f i n e d o u t si d e t h e R o m a n ci t y by w a lls a n d t r e n c h e s . Recent studies confirmed that Oltretorrente area was a lr e a d y in h a bi t e d in p r e - r o m a n a g e, t h u s e x pl a inin g i t s exclusion by centuriation operations.4 With the roman e s t a blis h m e n t , t h e w e s t si d e b a n k s c o n t in u e d t o b e si t e of r u r a l u n pl a n n e d s e t t le m e n t s . T h e f i r s t a n d u n i q u e c o n n e c t i o n w a y t o t h e ‘o t h e r si d e’ was ensured by a masonr y bridge, probably already

5 V. B a n z o l a , P a r m a C i t t à s t o r i c a, p .10

6 The church, dedicated to the Saints Ger vaso and Prot aso, was located on the area nowadays occupied by the chirch of Santissima Annunziata. San Pier Damiani (who lived in P a r m a f r o m 10 2 8 t o 10 3 2 ) writes about a building ‘o n t h e w e s t e r n p a r t o f t h e c i t y, o u t s i d e t h e w a l l s ’( ‘ a d occidente della cit t à al di f u o r i d e l l e m u r a’, D e D i v i n a O m n i p o t e n t i a , X I c e n t .), V. B a n z o l a , o p . c i t ., p . 9 4 7 Via Bixio was at the time the main connection to Fornovo, a village located on the ancient Via Francigena. Gelichi S ., G r e c i R ., A n d a r e oltretorrente. Archeologia e s t o r i a a P a r m a, M U P 50

E d i t o r e , P a r m a , 2 0 13 , p . 6 4

p r e s e n t in A u g u s t a n a g e, w hic h c o r r e s p o n d e d t o t h e lin e a r p r o s e c u t io n of d e c u m a n o m a x im o of t h e r o m a n n u cle u s ( V i a E mili a). T h e t o r r e n t a n d t h e g a t e w a y b r i d g e m a r k e d the distinction bet ween the outside rural suburbs and the grid based new town, furnishing a natural defense f o r t h e w a lle d ci t y. O nl y w i t h t h e c o min g of X I I c e n t u r y, u r b a n a g glo m e r a t io n s o n t h e ot h e r si d e of t h e t o r r e n t s t a r t s t o b e in dic a t e d a s C a p o d i Po n te, o n t h e b r i d g e - e d g e. T h e f i r s t r e gis t e r e d c o n s t r u c t io n t o b e b uil t ‘i n c a p i te p o n t i s’ w a s a r eli gio u s b uil di n g r e c o r d e d a r o u n d 10 3 0 5 Religious complexes soon st ar ted to at tract people g r a v i t a t i n g a r o u n d t h e i r cl o i s t e r s , t o b e n e f i t o f c h a r i t y a n d h elp. T h e s e n e w l y im pl a n t e d ci t i z e n s , c o min g f r o m f i e l d w o r k a n d l o o k i n g f o r b e t t e r li f e p o s si b ili t i e s , g a v e s h a p e t o a n o r bi t of h u m a n a g glo m e r a t io n s s u r r o u n din g c h u rc h e s a n d m o n a s t e r i e s . D u e t o t h e u r b a n a t t r a c t io n a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n t in c r e a s e of population, the set tlement of Capo di Ponte star ted to spread, organizing around the t wo main a xes of Via A e mili a (n o w V i a D’A z e glio) a n d t h e a c t u a l V i a Bi x io 6 , t h e u r b a n c o n n e c t io n t o t h e V i a F r a n ci g e n a . Never theless, the torrent was still defining and distinguishing what was inside and outside the cit y p e r im e t e r. T h e e v olu t io n of C a p o di P o n t e f r o m s u b u r b a n a r e a t o ci t y n ei g h b o r h o o d w a s d r i v e n by t w o c a t a s t r o p hic e v e n t s a lo n g t h e X I I c e n t u r y. I n 10 5 8 , a f i r e i n s i d e t h e w a l l e d c i t y p u s h e d f o r a n e nl a r g e m e n t of t h e u r b a n p e r im e t e r. T h e plot of C a p o di Po n t e w a s lo o k e d a s a s t r a t e gic a r e a , b ein g i t t h e ju n c t io n of roman ways with new roads, leading the set ting a planned street system, thus preparing the ground for a future set tlement.

2 .1. 2 BE SIDE T HE TOR R EN T Capo di Ponte inside the walls

8 I r e n e o A f f ò i n C a n a l i D., O l t r e il torrente. Curioso viaggio n e l l ’a l t r a m e t à d i P a r m a, Luigi Bat tei, Parma, 2006, p.9

2 .10

Aerial view of

Oltreorrente showing the continuous river front of Gothic lots. Photo by G iacomo L aver sa, 2021

‘ b e g i n n i n g to fi l l wi th h o u s e s’ ‘ a s p e s s e g g i a r c o m i n c i a s s e d i c a s e’ 7

P u s h e d b y t h e p r e s e n c e o f m o n a s t e r i e s , i n 116 9 t h e municip alit y decide d to sur roun d t h e ot h er- side s et tlem ent w i t h d e f e n s i v e t r e n c h e s . A f f ò, i n 116 7, a l r e a d y r e p o r t s t h e p r e s e n c e o f a ‘ S a n P a o l o’s d o o r ’, c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e a dj a c e n t m o n a s t e r y. 8 T h e c o n n e c t io n w i t h t h e r o m a n n u cle u s of t h e ci t y w a s a l w a y s s e r v e d by t h e p o n s a pi dis t . A c r u c i a l m o m e n t f o r t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f C a p o d i P o n t e’s r o l e i n s i d e t h e u r b a n a r e a a r r i v e d i n 117 7. A b i g f l o o d 9 of the torrent opened a wound in Parma, fracturing the u ni q u e c o n n e c t io n of i t s t w o p a r t s , t h e p o n s a p i d i s t, t h u s forcing the cit y to reconsider the relation bet ween the t w o r i v e r- di v i d e d s e t t l e m e n t s . T h e f ollo w in g u r b a n in t e r v e n t io n s w e r e dir e c t e d t o w a r d Oltretorrente development and aggregation inside the

9 V. B a n z o l a , o p . c i t ., p . 9 7 10 T h e f l o o d , d e s c r i p t e d i n t h e Chronicon Parmense, was caused by the over flow of t h r e e s t e a m s , Ta r o , P a r m a a n d E n z a . G e l i c h i S ., G r e c i R , o p . c i t ., p . 6 4

11 T h e n e w P o n t e d e i S a l a r i was south moved respect to the roman decumano ma ximo, to bet ter connect the new civil-power site of Federico I Barbarossa, located on the nowadays Convitto Nazionale Maria Luigia. 12 A m o n g t h e d i f f e r e n t inter ventions carried out in Oltretorrente af ter the floof, it is remark abke the commitment of Pet tenario d i C a o d i p o n t e i n 117 8 , f o r his polyhedric relationship both with civil and religious powers, thus testimony of the multiple interests over the neighbourhood d e v e l o p m e n t . G e l i c h i S ., G r e c i R , o p . c i t ., p . 6 6 13 S a n G i u s e p p e a n d S a n t o Spirito 14 R o d o l f o Ta n z i , t h e e n i g m a t i c founder of the hospit al, ex tended its power on the Oltretorrente by financing various works, of ten with the aversion of the neighbouring Church. G e l i c h i S ., G r e c i R , o p . c i t ., p. 68

cit y: on one side, a connection crossing the bridge w a s i m m e d i a t e l y r e c o n s t r u c t e d 10, d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e n e e d of t h e t w o si d e s t o in t e r a c t a n d, o n t h e ot h e r si d e, p r ot e c t io n t r e n c h e s a r o u n d t h e v ill a g e of C a p o di P o n t e were reinforced, thus recognizing and demarking the limi t s of t his in h a bi t e d n u cle u s b e si d e t h e r i v e r. 11 12 10 s a w t h e e n l a r g e m e n t o f e x i s t i n g w a ll s i n C a p o d i Po n t e: t h e t r e n c h e s c a m e t o e n glo b e t h e c h u rc h of S a n t a C r o c e, e r e c t e d in t h e s a m e y e a r s , n e a r w hic h a n e w d o o r t o t h e ci t y w a s e s t a blis h e d. T h e r e m a inin g b r i d g e of D o n n a E gi di a w a s m a r k in g , t o g e t h e r w i t h ot h e r r eli gio u s p ole s 12 t h e e x t e n sio n s of C a p o di P o n t e o n t h e ot h e r si d e s . To g e t h e r w i t h t h e e r e c t i o n o f r e li g i o u s c o m p l e x e s , t h e b e gin nin g of t h e X I I I c e n t s a w t h e e s t a blis h m e n t , o n t h e V i a E mili a , of a c h a r i t y h o s pi t a l, s t r e n g t h e nin g t h e a s sis t a n c e dis t in c t i v e t r a i t of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d 13 .

G ot hic lot s T h e r e g ul a r i t y of t h e u r b a n g r i d , dic t a t e d b y t h e r o m a n d e c u m a n u m, w a s g r a d u a ll y d i s a p p e a r i n g w h e n g e t t i n g f a r f r o m i t , b e i n g r e p l a c e d b y t h e d i r e c t i o n a li t y o f t h e e m e r gin g p ole s of t h e ci t y. With the population increasing, a net of narrow and in t r ic a t e d s t r e e t s m a d e i t s w a y b e t w e e n t h e n e w m ul t iple f lo o r s r e si d e n t i a l c o n s t r u c t io n s . I n d e e d , t o a c c o m plis h the increasing demand, the green cultivated fields e n glo b e d in n e w l y e r e c t e d w a lls s t a r t e d t o b e s u b di v i d e d i n s m a ll e r a r e a s a n d , b e i n g t h e s e f r e e f r o m t h e r o m a n c e n t u r i a t io n , t h e G ot hic lot s b e c a m e p r e d o min a n t . G o t h ic l o t s a r e a f u n c t i o n a l a d a p t a t i o n o f t h e m e d i e v a l cit y to the increasing demand of both residences and w o r k p l a c e s 14 : t h e ‘c a s a - b o t t e g a’ a ll o w e d f o r a m i x e d u s e s p a c e in t e g r a t e d by a c o n t in u o u s e xc h a n g e w i t h t h e s t r e e t- di m e n sio n . T h e s e b uildin g s w e r e c h a r ac t e r is e d by t h e d e v elo p m e n t o n n a r r o w a n d d e e p plot s , s t r e e t f a cin g o n o n e si d e a n d w i t h a n o rc h a r d o n t h e b a c k , s u p p o r t in g t h e f a mil y li f e. A lo n g

15 M e i P., I n n o v a z i o n e tipologica del “lot to g o t i c o”. U n n u o v o s c e n a r i o u r b a n o p e r l ’a e r a d i R o g o r e d o a M i l a n o ., i n I V Congresso Internazionale d e l l ’A b i t a r e C o l l e t t i v o S o s t e n i b i l e , 2 0 2 0 , p . 47 2 47 7 A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// i r i s . u n i p a . i t /r e t r i e v e/

t h e m a in a x e s (e x . A c t u a l V i a Nin o Bi x io) t h e b uildin g w e r e e x t e n d o r p a ir e d o n t h e lo n g si d e, n e e din g t h e in s e r t io n of a c o u r t t o in c r e a s e t h e a lr e a d y p o o r li g h t c o n di t io n s . U s u a ll y f r o m t w o t o t h r e e f lo o r s , t h e G ot hic lot s a llo w e d for an ex treme densification of the land and for the development of activities and commerce at the ground f lo o r. H o w e v e r, t h e u n r e g ul a t e d h ei g h t s a n d t h e elo n g a t e d u n f oldin g of t h e plot s , di d n ot a llo w f o r a p r o p e r v e n t il a t io n and lighting of the environment which, joint with the poor hygienic disposal of the time, contributed to the s t i g m a t i z a t io n of t h e in - t h e r e p o p ul a t io n . 15 T h e r e plic a t io n of t his t y p olo g y o n bi g g e r s c a le e n d e d in a n ei g h b o u r h o o d of d a r k a n d h u mi d b o rg h i, d o min a t e d by a c o n t in u o u s f r o n t of o v e rc r o w d e d b uildin g s , w i t h p r o ble m s f o r s e w a g e s y s t e m a n d w a t e r p r o v isio n . The settlement of Capo di Ponte configurated, in m e di e v a l e p o q u e, a s a n e n t a n gle d a n d l a by r in t hic t w is t of c a pill a r y s t r e e t , f r a m e d by s t r e e t- f a cin g d e e p b uildin g s , characterizing Oltretorrente also in the present time. T h e b a d u p p e r- f l o o r li v i n g c o n d i t i o n s , j o i n e d w i t h t h e ground-floor commercial activities, contributed to the development of a vivid street-life, where ideals and acknowledgment of social injustice were exchanged together with goods.

D ef inin g Olt retor re nte

16 D a t a c o n f i r m t h e m a j o r af fectation of pandemics in Oltretorrente neighbourhood respect to 56

o t h e r a r e a s o f t h e c i t y.

T h e d e n si f ic a t io n of t h e a r e a c o r r e s p o n d e d t o a d e f i ni t io n o f t h e d e f e n c e d c i t y. I n 12 3 0 t h e t r e n c h e s o f C a p o d i Po n t e h a s b e e n p r ot e c t e d by t h e e r e c t io n of a w a ll o n t h e t o r r e n t- si d e, w i t h t h e d e ni a l of o p e nin g w in d o w s f a cin g t h e t o r r e n t b e d , t o c o n t r ol h o u si n g d e n si f ic a t io n a lo n g t h e r i v e r b a n k s . M o r e o v e r, t h e in clu sio n of S a n Fr a n c e s c o’s C h u r c h i n t h e w a ll e d c i t y, i n 12 6 1, s a w t h e s o u t h - e a s t e x t e n s i o n o f O l t r e t o r r e n t e t o i t s c u r r e n t b o r d e r. I n t h e same years, the doors of Santa Croce and Por ta Nova w e r e r e b uil t in m a s o n r y.

O l t r e t o r r e n t e is s o d elimi t e d a n d d e f in e d in e x t e n sio n s: t h e a c c e s s o t h e r s i d e is r e g ul a t e d t h r o u g h 5 d o o r s o n t h e l a n d a n d 4 c r o s si n g b r i d g e s o n t h e t o r r e n t . I n 12 8 7- 8 8 , t h e c o n n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e t w o s i d e s o f t h e r i v e r a r e p ot e n t i a t e d by t h e e r e c t io n of t h e a d di t io n a l b r i d g e ‘ Po n t e d ei S a l a r i’. T he conflicting relation with the originating cit y and the troubling presence of the torrent determined O l t r e t o r r e n t e’s g e n e sis a n d d e f i ni t io n . P a r m a o r i gi n a t e d w i t h a n in t e r n a l f r a c t u r e, t h a t r e m a in s n o w a d a y s p e rc ei v e d a s a n e d g e f o r t h e ci t y 16 , a c c e s sible t h r o u g h c o n t r olle d b r i d g e s w h ic h w ill l a t e r b e c o m e c o m p e t e d p o i n t s f r o m t h e t w o si d e s . T h e o t h e r si d e of t h e t o r r e n t e m e r g e d a s a n e c e s s a r y f i eld for ex periment ation for the cit y: economic, religious, s a ni t a r y a n d cult u r al m ove m e n t s m a d e t his n eig h b o u r h o o d t o a b s o r b a gi t a t io n s a n d a llo w e d f o r t h i s- s i d e ci t y e a r l y e s t a blis h m e n t .

2 .11

Unplanned construction let to buildings backed one t o t h e o t h e r, g e n e r a t i n g lighting problems. Photo b y G i u l i a P a n t ò , 2 0 18

17 Ly n c h K ., o p . c i t .

2 .1.3 ACROSS T HE TOR R EN T Two facing cities

18 R a c c o l t a g e n e r a l e d e l l e L e g g i P a r m e n s i, v o l X L I , a n n o 18 2 9 , I s e m e s t r e quoted in M. Becchet ti, Oltretorrente. Rivolte e

‘ i n t h e g r e a t p e n u r y t h a t […] w o r r i e s t h e p o o r class among of Our Subject, we have already o r de re d d i f fe re n t wo rk s to b e g i n , at th e e x p e n s e s o f D u c a l e N o s tr o Er a ri o; c o u l d th e s e , i n te re s ti n g p u b l i c u t i l i t y, o p e n f o o d a v a i l a b i l i t y t o a r t i s a n s a n d o th e r p e o p l e i n n e e d ,

conflitto sociale a Parma, 18 6 9 -1915 , P h d t h e s i s , Universit à degli Studi di Parma, relator Fantasia U .. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. r e p o s i t o r y. u n i p r. i t / b i t s t r e a m/18 8 9 /13 41/1/ t e s t o% 2 0 i n t e r o 2. p d f

2 .12

Aerial view of

Oltreorrente from the Duc al Garden.. Photo by G iacomo L aver sa, 2021

‘ n e l l a s o m m a p e n u ri a c h e […] a f fl i g ge l a c l a s s e i n d i ge n te de i N o s tri S u d d i ti , a b b i a m o g i à o r d i n a t o che a spese del Ducale Nostro Erario siano i n t r a p r e s i d i v e r s i l a v o r i , i q u a l i n e l l ’e s s e r e d i pubblica utilità, diano campo agli artigiani ed ag l i a l tri b i s o g n o s i d i p r o c u r a r s i i l vi t to .’ 17

The lack of a rational plan for the intricate streets of O l t r e t o r r e n t e f ollo w e d in t h e F a r n e s e p e r io d (15 4 5 -1731). W i t h t h e X V I c e n t u r y in f a c t , c o u r t s a ll o v e r E u r o p e t u r n e d ci t i e s in bi g c o n s t r u c t io n si t e s , t o e x p r e s s , t h r o u g h u r b a n in t e r v e n t io n s , t h e p o w e r of t h e r ulin g f a mil y. F ollo w in g this line, Ot t avio Farnese promoted the construction, o n t h e ‘ot h e r ’ si d e of t h e t o r r e n t , of a bi g g a r d e n f o r his c o u r t (15 6 1), d e li m i t i n g t h e n o r t h e r n e x p a n s i o n o f t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d. W i t h t his in t e r v e n t io n , t h e e x t e n sio n of O l t r e t o r r e n t e is d e f in e d: t h e t o r r e n t , t h e w a lls a n d t h e c o u r t g a r d e n a r e e s t a blis hin g t h e ‘ol t r e’- i d e n t i t y, t h a t d o e s n ot c o r r e s p o n d o nl y t o b e p h y sic a ll y ‘o v e r t h e r i v e r ’, b u t d e f in e a n d limi t s t h e s e t t l e m e n t s b e t w e e n t h e w a lls , t h e c o u r t g a r d e n , a n d

2 .13

Pietro Ma zza, Mappa della città di Parma

the torrent, distinguishing this area and its population f r o m t h e ci t y ’s f u r t h e r a n d l a t e r e x p a n sio n s . F a r n e s e’s f o ll o w i n g i n t e r v e n t i o n s o n t h e - o t h e r- s i d e o f t h e t o r r e n t , c o n c e n t r a t e d in t h e c o n s t r u c t io n of m a s si v e e n d e a v o u r s a l o n g t h e t w o m a i n a x e s 18 . O u t s i d e t h e s e s t r e e t s , O l t r e t o r r e n t e w a s n o w s p a t i a ll y i d e n t i f i a ble a n d circ u m s c r ib e d a s t h e ‘old’ a n d c r u m blin g ci t y, n a r r a t e d t h r o u g h t h e i m a g e o f n a r r o w b o r g h i (a ll e y s) a n d r i o n i (dis t r ic t s), in h a bi t e d by di f f e r e n t s h a d e s of p o v e r t y r o ot e d in t h e s a m e n ei g h b o u r h o o d . From the dukes epoque, it is possible to register the s u b d i v i s i o n i n t w o m a i n r i o n i, o r g a n i z e d a l o n g t h e t w o a x e s of S a n Fr a n c e s c o (v i a N in o Bi x io) a n d S a n t a C r o c e ( v i a M a s s i m o D ’A z e g l i o). W h i l e t h e s e c o n d o n e w a s accommodating some major religious poles and the ci v il h o s p i t a l, S t r a d a S a n F r a n c e s c o w a s g a t h e r i n g t h e p o p ul a r c o r e of t h e ci t y. B e t w e e n t h e s e t w o a r t e r i e s , a n intricated net narrow streets was covering almost 2 /3 of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d, w hile t h e r e m a inin g p a r t , b a c k e d a g a in s t t h e w a lls , w a s s t ill p r e s e r v e d a s a g r ic ul t u r a l l a n d. The Borbons, with the French architect Ennemond A le x a n d r e P e t i t ot , a n d M a r i a L ui gi a l a t e r ( in P a r m a f r o m 1815 t o 18 47 ), e n r ic h e d t h e n o b l e p a r t o f t h e ci t y w i t h sumptuous palaces constructions and ex tensive urban r e o r g a ni z a t io n s a r o u n d b o ule v a r d s , t h a t m a d e P a r m a t o g a in t h e e pi t h e t of p e t i t c a p i t a l. 19 T hese renovation policies contributed to enhance the e x is t in g g a p b e t w e e n t h e t w o f a cin g ci t i e s: o n t h i s- s i d e of the torrent, the shining petite capital was proudly a n d a f f e c t io n a ll y d e f in e d P a r m a N u o v a a n d, o n t h e o t h e r s i d e, O l t r e t o r r e n t e s t a r t e d t o b e e r r o n e o u sl y r e f e r r e d t o a s P a r m a Ve c c hi a , d e s pi t e i t s m o s t r e c e n t d e v elo p m e n t , to become an uncomfor table comparison to oppose to t h e ci t y- t o - b e. 2 0

19 To g e t h e r w i t h t h e c o u r t garden, the Farnese period saw the erection of Santissima Annunziata Church, Santa Maria del Quar tiere Church and the Or athor y of S.Maria delle Grazie 20 A confirmation of this population clustering by status comes from the census edited by Guglielmo du Tillot i n 17 6 5 . T h e c e n s u s draws a concentration of workers and ar tisans living in Oltretorrente and in the peripheric nor th neighbourhoods. B e c c h e t t i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 0 2 1 D r a d i F., o p . c i t ., p . 5

2 .1.4 BE YOND T HE TOR R EN T The first decades of X X cent 22 The phrase, referred to the general It alo Balbo, appeared on the containing walls of the torrent Parma (O l t r e t o r r e n t e - s i d e) i n the 60s/ 70s of X X cent. I t a l l u d e s t o t h e 19 2 2 f acts, the so c alled Fat ti di P a r m a, w h e r e t h e f a s c i s t troops, leaded by Balbo, the general who succeeded to flight-cross Atlantic Ocean, did not manage to enter the neighbourhood Oltretorrente, thanks to inhabit ant s’ resist ance behind the barricades.

.15 ‘ BAael rbioa lt ’è v i epwa soèf 22.14 R i s a nla’Amtel annt ot i-cpm l aon nmei dg aV li a Pd èe rl lma aC’.oPsht iottuoebnyt eA. nPt ho on ti o b y G i a c o m o ML a vs ec rosl ao , 2 0 2191

‘B a l b o , yo u c r o s s e d th e A tl a n ti c O c e a n , b u t n o t at a l l th e to rre n t Pa rm a .’ ‘B a l b o t 'è p a s è l 'A tl a n ti c m a m i g a l a Pè rm a’ 21

The time window precedent to the contemporary one is fundamental for the configuration of nowadays Oltretorrente. In 50 years in fact, the neighbourhood is theatre of social agitations, interlaced with its t o p o g r a p h y o f s m a ll b o rg h i a n d r i o n i, a n d o f t h e i r o u tof- t im e r e p r e s sio n , in 19 2 8, t h r o u g h a m a s si v e pl a n nin g action: the Risanamento plan enacted a necessar y n ei g h b o u r h o o d s a ni t i z a t io n w i t h t h e v iole n c e of a s o ci a l r e v e n g e, d ele t in g t h e t r a c e s of a b a t t le f i eld o n w hic h t h e r e b ellio u s p o p ul a t io n w o n o v e r a n i m p o si n g dic t a t o r s hip. T h e c o nc e n t r a t io n of t h e w o r k in g cl a s s in a n eig h b o u r h o o d, f a cin g f r o m t h e ot h e r b a n k a p r i v ile g e d r ulin g a r is t o c r a c y, a n d t h e t o r r e n t- c o n t r o ll e d a c c e s s e s t o i t , f a v o u r e d t h e bir t h of t h e ‘c o n c r e t e a n d c olle c t i v e e x p e r i e n c e’ 2 2 of t h e

2 3 M . B e c c h e t t i , o p . c i t ., p . 2 1

s t r e e t- r e v ol t . I n t h e s m a ll s t r e e t s of O l t r e t o r r e n t e, f a mili a r t o t h e yo u n g r e b ellio u s , a r o u s e a s e n s e of i d e n t i t y a n d b elo n gin g t o a pl a c e, t h a t t o d a y r e m a in s in t h e f o r m of in h e r i t e d p r i d e o r s a le a ble s t o r y, in a P a r m a a l w a y s in f i g h t b e t w e e n t h e p r o v in ci a l o r t h e s h o wc a s e ci t y. I f t h e b r i d g e is a n a c c e s s w a y, i t c a n a ls o t u r n in t o d e v ic e t o c o n t r ol, u s e d t o s e g r e g a t e t h e u n c o m f o r t a ble a n d, a t t h e s a m e t im e, n e c e s s a r y w o r k f o rc e s of t h e ci t y.

2 .16

Cover page of a national journal showing workers agitations precedents t o t h e f a c t s o f 19 2 2 . Achille Beltrame, I gravi disordini di Parma: lotta sanguinosa fra soldati e scioperanti in via Nino Bixio, in ‘La Domenica del C o r r i e r e’ , a . X , N . 2 6 , 2 8 j u n e 19 0 8

O l t r e t o r r e n t e a t t h e a d v e n t of X X c e n t A t t h e b e gin nin g of t h e X X c e n t , t h e c o n g e s t e d a n d c r o w d e d h o u s e s of O l t r e t o r r e n t e w e r e in h a bi t e d by a w o r k in g cl a s s di f f e r e n t f r o m t h e o n e of t h e m ajo r I t a li a n ci t i e s . T h e 19 0 0 s P a r m a c o u n t s a p o p ul a t i o n i n v o l v e d , f o r t h e m o s t , t o a t r a di t io n a l e c o n o m y of s m a ll a r t is a n s a n d m a n u f a c t u r e r s w o r k e r s , ‘a p r ole t a r i a n ci t y, b u t n ot a n in d u s t r i a l o n e’ 2 3 , s t ill n ot in v ol v e d by t h e l a t e r in d u s t r i a l r e v olu t io n . Wo r k a n d s h a r e d p ove r t y we r e a r g u m e n t s of c o m m u nit a r i a n u ni t y, b uil t o n a s e n s e of b elo n gin g t o t h e o t h e r- s i d e, a n d o f s o ci a l d i v i s i o n , i n a m ul t i - l a y e r e d p r o l e t a r i a n g r o u p f o r m b y c i t y n a t i v e s a n d c o u n t r y s i d e i m m i g r a n t s . 2 4 To o r i gin a n d w o r k- b a s e d r i v a lr i e s , w a s a d d e d t h e o n e c a r r i e d by t h e b elo n gin g ri o n e, in w hic h t h e p olic e p r e f e r r e d t o r e m a in e x t e r io r, le t t in g t h e di f f e r e n t g r o u p s t o t h e f i g h t f o r t h e r uli n g p o w e r. 2 5 F ollo w in g t h e o r d e r in g in t e n t io n s a im e d d u r in g t h e d u c a l period, the beginning of the ‘900 is marked by heav y structural re-organization of the urban area, promoted by t h e m a yo r M a r iot t i (18 5 0 -19 3 5 ). A m o n g t h e s e v e r a l u r b a n in t e r v e n t io n s p r o p o s e d in his 15 y e a r s of g o v e r n a n c e (18 8 9 -19 14), p a r t ic ul a r l y r ele v a n t is t h e d e m oli t io n of t h e w a lls , t h a t f r o m s e p a r a t io n ele m e n t became fast circulation rings, and the first plans for O l t r e t o r r e n t e R i s a n a m e n to. I f f o r t h e a c t u a t io n of ‘dil a t a t io n’ a n d ‘s a ni t i z in g’ a c t io n s

24 C o n g r e g a z i o n e M u n i c i p a l e di Carità, Le condizioni della beneficienza e i relativi prov vedimenti n e l c o m u n e d i P a r m a, Tipografie Riunite Donati, P a r m a , 19 0 6 , p . 3 3 9 i n M . B e c c h e t t i , o p . c i t ., p . 56-57 25 Social dif ferences among people beyond the torrent were cause of agitations inside the neighbourhood, which was increasing its reputation, on the outside, as a dangerous and uncrossable area. M Becchet ti, op. cit. p. 97 26 Ivi, p.91

2 .17

Continuous roofs and towers, characterizing Gothic lots of Oltreotrrente, became strategic watching points to control the bridges’ accesses to neighbourhood and

barricades. ASC di Parma, Fondo Fotografico, Olivetti, B 1.1, R a c c o l t a B a r r i c a t e Agosto del ‘22

of the other side we have to wait the fascist plans of 19 3 3 a n ’ 3 9 , M a r i o t t i ’s i n t e r v e n t i o n s o r i e n t e d P a r m a toward an agro-industrial production and an outsidewall ex pansion, suppor ted by the la st remnant s of an illu min a t e d b o u r g e ois . 2 6

2 7 Q u i n t e l l i C ., S p a z i o p u b b l i c o e s t r u t t u r a u r b a n a, p . 19 - 2 5 i n A A . V V., D i e t r o l e B a r r i c a t e, P a r m a 19 2 2 ,

19 2 2: t h e u p r isin g s A t t h e e n d of t h e b i e n n i o ro s s o (19 19 -2 0), c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y t h e p r o l e t a r i a n’s i n s u r r e c t i o n s , t h e d a w n o f b i e n n i o nero saw the whole peninsula busy in a cit y-to-cit y p r o l e t a r i a n r e p r e s s i o n b y t h e f a s c i s t s q u a d r i s m o. T h e n e w b o r n P a r t i t o N a z io n a le F a s cis t a w a s s u p p o r t e d by t h e cl a s s of l a n d o w n e r s a n d in d u s t r i a ls , p r o misin g in t e r e s t p r o t e c t i o n a n d w o r k e r s - l e d u p r i s i n g s’ s u p p r e s s i o n . I n t h e m e a n w h il e , t h e p r o l e t a r i a n c l a s s w a s i n t o l e r a n t t o t h e d o m in a n t o p p r e s sio n a n d, in 17 J u n e 19 2 1 in R o m e, t h e a n t i - f a s cis t f o rc e s o r g a ni z e d u n d e r t h e n a m e A r di t i d el P o p olo 2 7. I n P a r m a , w h e r e t h e s o ci a l d i s c r e p a n c y w a s r e i n f o r c e d by t h e p h y sic a l w a t e r b a r r i e r, t h e u p r isin g i d e olo gi e s of Arditi found a florid dif fusion ground in the borghi of Ol t r e to r r e n t e. I n a u t u m n 19 2 1, w h e n B o n o mi’s g o v e r n m e n t g i v e s t h e o r d e r t o d i s s o l v e A r d i t i f o r c e s a ll o v e r I t a l y, Oltretorrente became protagonist of a clandestine r e sis t a n c e, g ui d e d by t h e p a r li a m e n t a r y G ui d o P ic elli. 2 8 If the Fascio was lacking, in Parma, of a charismatic l e a d e r, P i c e l l i w a s a c q u i r i n g a s h a r e d s u p p o r t b y t h e i n h a b i t a n t s o f t h e b o r g h i, m a n a g i n g t o o v e r c o m e t h e in t e r n a l s u b di v isio n of t his n o w u ni t e d o p p o si t io n f r o n t . W h e n , in a u g u s t 19 2 2, t h e f a s cis t s t r o o p s c o min g f r o m R o m a g n a , a d v a n c e d u n t il t h e d o o r s of t h e ci t y t o s t o p t h e r isin g p r ole t a r i a n a gi t a t io n s 2 9 , t h e y f o u n d a n u n e x p e c t e d r e sis t a n c e in t h e in h a bi t a n t s of O l t r e t o r r e n t e: t h e s m a ll a n d in t r ic a t e d b o rg h i b e c a m e a f r i e n dl y b a t t le f i eld f o r t h e p o p ul a t io n t h a t , a ll in v ol v e d in t his p h y sic a l r e sis t a n c e,

C o m u n e d i P a r m a , 19 8 3 28 This national movement, founded by Argo Secondari, was gathering veterans and ex-combatants of the W W I ’s A r d i t i , a s p e c i a l section of Regio Esercito of which the same Secondari w a s p a r t . C u r t a l e S ., B a r r i c a t e 19 2 2 a P a r m a : con Picelli cit t à simbolo di resistenza che resta viva nei secoli in Parma Ateneo, 18 . 0 5 . 2 0 2 1. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. p a r m a t e n e o . i t / ?p=7376 4#p r e t t y P h o t o 2 9 G u i d o P i c e l l i (18 8 9 -19 3 7 ) became the icon for the rebellious Oltretorrente; af ter experiencing years around Italy and the milit ar y c areer during W WI, he came back to Parma and star ted his journey in politics. T he v i c t o r y o f t h e e v e n t s 19 2 2 gave him the merit of the creation of a unit front, able, with his charisma and unquestionable trust, to compact the opposition parties. D r a d i F., o p . c i t ., p . 14 3 0 T h e f i r s t d a y s o f a u g u s t 19 2 2 s aw all It aly involved with a general strike instituted by the Alleanz a del L avoro. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. c s m o v i m e n t i . o r g /a g o s t o 19 2 2- b a r r i c a t e/ 67

B a r r ic a d e s: O l t r e t o r r e n t e r e sis t a n c e in 19 2 2 P h ot o s s h o w in g O l t r e t o r r e n t e d u r in g t h e d a y s of b a r r ic a d e s’ r e sis t a n c e. The narrow borghi became theatre of strategic fight based of territorial control, where population was eased by t h e f a mili a r in t r ic a t e s t r e e t n e t . 2 .18

ASC di Parma, Fondo Fotografico, Olivetti, B 1.1, R a c c o l t a B a r r i c a t e A g o s t o d e l ‘ 2 2

Borgo S alici

Via Imbriani

P. z l e I n z a n i

Borgo Bernabei

Via della S alute

B o r g o Ta n z i

Borgo S alici

Borgo Grassani

Borgo Minelli

B o r g o Ta n z i

Borgo Marodolo

31 Among these figures, women became essential to communicate and refurbish the ‘battlefield’ on the P a r m a N u o v a’ s i d e o f t h e torrent. Another my thical figure of Oltretorrente is the one of Padre Lino Maupas, a priest helping the poor populations during these dif ficult y e a r s . M o r e o v e r, a s a p r o o f of the shared suppor t to the b arric ades’ event s, also furniture from the churches has been used to higher the d e f e n s i v e w a l l s . D r a d i F., o p . c i t ., p . 15 -16

m a d e of t h e c r o w d e d s t r e e t s a n u n c o n q u e r a ble f o r t r e s s , n ei g h b o u r h o o d w i d e. Di f f e r e n t l y f r o m t h e p r ole t a r i a n a gi t a t io n s of t h e b e gin nin g of t h e c e n t u r y, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e in h a bi t a n t s blo c k in g t h e a c c e s s t o t h eir dis t r ic t , t h e r e v ol t s of 19 2 2 c o uld m a k e u s e of t h e le s s o n f r o m W W I . I n s p i r e d b y t h e f r o n t ’s t r e n c h e s , b a r r i c a d e s s t a r t e d t o be quickly organized to control the strategic accesses to the neighbourhood and of the t wo rioni of Naviglio a n d S a f f i, a c r o s s t h e t o r r e n t . W h e r e s t r e e t w a s c o b b l e c o v e r e d, p a v in g blo c k s w e r e r e m o v e d a n d o r g a ni z e d a s a s t o n e w a ll, a n d, w h e n t his w a s n ot s u f f ici e n t , o bje c t s f r o m n e a r by s c h o ol a n d h o u s e s w e r e c olle c t e d, w i t h t h e a im t o blo c k t h e a c c e s s t o t h e l a by r in t hic in si d e of O l t r e t o r r e n t e. T h e t o w e r s a n d r o of s of t h e h o u s e s a llo w e d f o r m ul t iple lookout posts, guiding both active actions and the u n d e r c o v e r e d d i s p a t c h e d r i d e r s 30: t h e u n h o s p i t a b l e

m o r p h olo g y of t h e o v e rc r o w d e d n ei g h b o u r h o o d b e c a m e a ll y a n d p r o m o t e r o f a p l a c e - b a s e d i d e n t i t y a n d s e n s e of b elo n gi n g . Af ter three days of troops siege, the fascist squadroni c a lle d f o r t h e h elp of t h e g e n e r a l I t a lo B a lb o. N ot f in din g a s u p p o r t in t h e s t a te mili t a r y fo rc e s , B a lb o t r ie d his w a y w i t h ni g h t a t t a c k s , f a ilin g a n y w a y in t h e a im of e x p r o p r i a t in g t h e f o r t r e s s e d n ei g h b o u r h o o d. 6 t h A u g u s t 19 2 2 , C a p t a i n L o d o m e z (a t t h e c o m m a n d o f t h e lo c a l s t a t e a r m y), in v i t e d f a s cis t t r o o p s t o le a v e t h e ci t y, p a s sin g t o t h e mili t a r y f o rc e s t h e t a s k t o r e - e s t a blis h t h e o r d e r in P a r m a . T h e s e f a c t s , l a t e r r e n a m e d Fa t t i d i Pa rm a ( P a r m a’s F a c t s) r o ot e d t h e im a gin a r y of a n u n c o n q u e r a ble n ei g h b o u r h o o d, a n i d e a t o s h a r e o r t o c o m p e t e f o r, d e p e n d i n g o n t h e d i f f e r e n t a c t o r s n o w a d a y s d i s p l a y i n g o n O l t r e t o r r e n t e’ s c e n e. 3 1

3 2 G a m b e t t a W., L e p i e t r e p r e s e r o u n’a n i m a . L e b a r r i c a t e d e l 19 2 2, i n M o n t a l i R ., L e d u e c i t t à . Parma dal dopoguerra al f a s c i s m o (1919 -19 2 6 ), Istituzione Biblioteche del Comune di Parma, Silva, P a r m a 2 0 0 9 , p . 74

2 .19

Photo by Antonio M a s c o l o , O l t r e i l To r r e n t e Parma. Fotografie e storie del quartiere, Nuova Editrice Berti,Parma, 2 0 19

Fa s c i s t a u th o ri t y ‘ wa s h o p i n g th at a n e x p a n s i o n o f th e c i t y - o p e n i n g u p wi de r h o ri z o n s - wo u l d h e a l i t fr o m th e s e n e u r a s th e n i a’s l a s t re s i d u a l , th at o n c e m a de i t f a m o u s: th e u p ri s i n g o f th e b a rri c a de s , th e ‘ o l tre to rre n ti s m o’ a n d o th e r s i m i l a r ag i tati o n s .’ 2.20

Risanamento

dell’Oltretorrente, Piano R e g o l a t o r e , 19 2 8 , A P, 5 i n B a n z o l a V. , o p . c i t . , p . 3 11 3 3 A A . V V., D i e t r o l e b a r r i c a t e: P a r m a 19 2 2, o p . c i t ., p . 24

L’a u t o ri t à f a s c i s t a ‘ s p e r a va c h e l’i n g r a n d i m e n t o della città -aprendole più vasti orizzonti- la g u a ri s s e d a g l i u l ti m i r e s i d u i d i q u e l l e n e vr a s te n ie per cui fu famosa: il sov ver tismo barricadiero, l’o l tre to rre n ti s m o e d a l tri s i m i l i i rre qu ie tez ze .’ 3 2

R is a n a m e n t o: O l t r e t o r r e n t e ‘r e c o v e r y ’ pl a n A f t e r M a r i o t t i ’s s e v e r a l p r o p o s a l s , t h e f i r s t r e c o v e r y o p e r a t i o n s f o r O l t r e t o r r e n t e s t a r t e d i n 19 2 7, w i t h t h e d e v i a t io n of t h e p a r t i a ll y o p e n e d - a ir c a n a ls Cin g hio a n d N a v i glio Ta r o. T h e f ollo w in g d e m oli t io n pl a n , p r e c e d e d by an accurate hygienic analysis of the area, was to b e d e v e l o p e d a l o n g s e v e n y e a r s , t o a ll o w ‘ t h e f a m i l i e s a b a n d o n i n g t h e h o u s e s to b e d e s t roye d, to f i n d re s i d e n c e i n o t h e r l o c a t i o n.’ 3 3 D e s pi t e t h e p r o g r a m m e d p r o c e d u r e, t h e dis e m b o w elm e n t assumed the negative consequences of a top-to-down i m p o s e d p l a n , a n d t h e e v a c u a t e d f a m ili e s w e r e m o v e d in t h e s o c a lle d c a p a n n o n i, f a r m h o u s e - lik e c o n s t r u c t io n w hic h p r e s e n t e d b a d, i f n ot w o r s t , h y gi e nic c o n di t io n s , lo c a t e d in t h e ci t y p e r ip h e r i e s . 3 4 I n t h e m e a n w hile, t h e d e n s e n e t of b o rg h i of O l t r e t o r r e n t e w a s ‘cl e a n e d ’ f r o m t h e c r u m b li n g a n d c r o w d e d h o u s e s a n d f r o m t h e m e m o r y of t h e r e sis t a n t p o p ul a t io n , le a v in g f r a c t u r e a n d v oi d s in t h e u r b a n s t r u c t u r e B o t h t h e f o ll o w i n g R e g ul a t o r y p l a n s of 19 3 3 a n d 19 373 8 w e r e e s t a b li s h e d t o o r i e n t t h e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e d e m olis h e d a r e a s of t h e ci t y. T h e g ui din g p r in ciple w a s t o ‘n o b ili t a t e’ 35 t h e h i s t o r ic a l ci t y c e n t r e t h r o u g h t h e r e c t i f ic a t io n a n d e x p a n sio n of t h e s t r e e t n e t w o r k . Par tially limited by the upcoming W WII, the imposed

34 Author translation for ‘a mano a mano che le famiglie abbandoneranno le case da abbat tere, dovranno trovar modo di alloggiarsi i n a l t r e a b i t a z i o n i .’ Quote ex tracted from the approved project for Risanamento, repor ted i n C a p e l l i G ., P a r m a C o n t e m p o r a n e a . D a l l ’u n i t à d ’ I t a l i a a i g i o r n i n o s t r i, i n V. B a n z o l a , o p . c i t ., p . 3 0 5 35 Capannoni give their name to the pitched roof, rec alling t h e h u t - s h a p e (c a p a n n a ). They have been planned by the engineer Giovanni Uccelli (Uf ficio tecnico comunale, flaked by the geometer Davide Frari) and b u i l t , f r o m 19 2 9 t o 19 3 2 , in the areas of Navet ta, Via Verona, Cornocchio, Paullo, Castellet to, Via Varese, Via Rismondo. Ibidem 3 6 I v i , p . 3 14

2.21

Uf ficio d’Igiene

registered the high mor t alit y of O l t r e t o r r e n t e ’s s e s t r i e r i. C o m e l l i T., R i c e r c a s t o r i c a I T C . M e l l o n i , p . 18

regular plan, ex traneous to the existing circulation l o g i c o f t h e b o r g h i, p r o m o t e d t h e c r e a t i o n o f l a r g e p e r s p e c t i v e b o ul e v a r d s , c ulm i n a t i n g i n d e si g n e d v o i d s w i t h m o n u m e n t a l im a g e r y (e x . P z .le M a t t e ot t i ). O l t r e t o r r e n t e f a c e s t h e W W I I w i t h s o u t h w e s t limi t s ( V i a le d e i M i l l e) t h a t , i n s t e a d o f t h e o l d e r p r o t e c t i o n w a l l s , e m b o d y a c u t a n d m a r gin a li z a t io n of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d possibilities of expansion toward the developing o u t s k i r t s . O n t h e i n t e r n a l , t h e f a m ili a r s t r e e t n e t w o r k , t h a t a llo w e d t h e in h a bi t a n t s r e sis t a n c e, w a s n o w r e pl a c e d by r e c t ilin e a r s t r e e t s r e c a llin g u n s h a r e d p o w e r i d e a ls . I n t h e ju n c t io n p oin t s b e t w e e n t h e r e m n a n t ’s G ot hic lot s a n d t h e n e w blo c k s , v oi d s s p a c e s a p p e a r e d, a s r eje c t io n s a n d f r a c t u r e s t o a u r b a n c hir u r gic o p e r a t io n t h a t dis t o r t e d t h e c h a r a c t e r is t ic s of t h e his t o r ic a l n ei g h b o u r h o o d. B y c o n t r ollin g t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d plot , t h e r e gim e a im e d a t a c o n f in e m e n t of i d e a l circ ul a t io n , a n d t r i e d t o e x plo d e what was assuming the characteristics of a resistant b u b ble in si d e P a r m a . T his , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e dis pl a c e m e n t of commercial poles and transfer of initial inhabitants in new residential areas, originated a fragmented n eigh b o u r h o o d: d e spite Olt reto r re n te is n ot a g e o gr a p hic al p e r ip h e r y of t h e ci t y, i t u n d e r w e n t , f o r i t s e v olu t io n a n d i t s b ein g o l t re, a d y n a mic of ‘p e r ip h e r a li z a t io n’. I n t h e s e c o n d d e c a d e of X X c e n t ., t h e ci t y s a w a n e n o r m o u s e x t r a - c e n t r ic g r o w t h , w hic h dis c o u r a g e d t h e r e si d e n t i a l s e t t le m e n t in t his c e n t r a l a r e a . S w in gin g b e t w e e n t h e r is k of a g e n t r i f ic a t io n a n d t h e g r a d u a l d e cli n e, O l t r e t o r r e n t e c o n t in u e s i t s s t o r y of b ein g o l t re, of a ci t y- in si d e - t h e ci t y, li v in g b e t w e e n t h e m y t h a n d t h e u n c e r t a in t y of t h e f u t u r e.

2.22

Oltretorrente recovery

p l a n . 2 5 t h A p r i l 19 2 8 . C o m e l l i T., R i c e r c a s t o r i c a I T C . M e l l o n i , p . 18

2 . 2 L I V ING OLT R E-T OR R EN T E

Cen t r al p eripher y Nowadays Oltretorrente is the historical ‘piece’ c o u n t e r b a l a n ci n g ‘ Pa rm a c e n t ro’ in t h e p u z z le of t h e ci t y. F r o m t h e R i s a n a m e n t o, i t h a s n o t b e e n s u b j e c t e d t o n ei g h b o u r h o o d s c a l e i n t e r v e n t io n s . H o w e v e r, t h e g r a d u a l e x p a n sio n of t h e ci t y a n d t h e o r i e n t a t io n of h o u sin g m a r k e t towards the suburbs, made Oltretorrente uncertain, among an identit y tied to past glor y and an undefined r ole in n o w a d a y s P a r m a . S u r r o u n d e d b y g r o w i n g p e r i p h e r i e s , t h e h i s t o r ic a l c i t y c e n t r e s of I t a li a n ci t i e s f o u n d t h e m s el v e s a t a bi f u rc a t io n , a c c o r din g t o S e t t is , s w in gin g b e t w e e n pl a c e s t o h o s t t h e ‘u n w a n t e d’ a n d s u bje c t of g e n t r i f ic a t io n p r o c e s s e s . B ot h t h e t w o dir e c t io n s a r e a r isin g s o ci a l in e q u a li t ie s , f o u n din g o n a cl u s t e r i z a t i o n o f s p a c e s i n t o a s o c i a l h i e r a r c h ic a l system. Set tis brings the reasoning to ‘land’ introducing the c o n c e p t of t h e ‘g r a y z o n e s’: t h e s e a r e a s , lo c a t e d in si d e t h e ci t y, a r e c o n f in e d s p a c e s w hic h s e r v e t o h a n dle t h e u n d e sir a ble o r, a s in t r in sic o p p o si t io n , t o p r ot e c t a s e c t o r of in h a bi t a n t (g a t e d c o m m u ni t i e s). W h y is i t r ele v a n t f o r Ol t r e to r r e n t e? T h e n eig h b o r h o o d is a n in t e r e s t in g l a b o r a t o r y f o r i t s r e sis t a n c e t o t h e a f f ir m a t io n of o n e e x t r e mi z e d p h e n o m e n o n o v e r t h e ot h e r, w i t h t h e o p p o r t u ni t y t o p r o p o s e a l t e r n a t i v e s t o g e n t r i f ic a t io n a n d g h e t t o. For its historical development and consequent spatial c o n f i g u r a t io n , t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d s e e s t h e c o e x is t e n c e of inhabitants from diverse backgrounds. Despite the t e n sio n s a r r i v in g f r o m t h e di f f e r e n t a c t o r s in h a bi t in g t h e O l t r e t o r r e n t e, t h e s p a c e m a i n t a i n e d a li v el y c o n f lic t u a l c o n n ot a t io n , b e c o mi n g a ‘c o m p e t e d t e r r i t o r y ’.

2.23

Urban densities in

comparison, Parma centro and Oltretorrente. 3 7 S t a i d A ., D a n n a t i d e l l a m e t r o p o l i, A n d r e a S t a i d , op. cit. 3 8 S e t t i s S ., o p . c i t . p . 74 79

A ‘c r o s s e d’ n ei g h b o u r h o o d I n f r a s t r u c t u r e is o n e of t h e m a i n a r g u m e n t s a r o u n d t h e rethinking of neighbourhood Oltretorrente. As many It alian cit y centres, the neighbourhood presents an infrastructure network incompatible with nowadays a u t o m o b ile m o bili t y. T h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d r e p r e s e n t s a n o b s t a cle f o r t h e c e n t r e p e r ip h e r y f lu x t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e d P a r m a a s in d u s t r i a l ci t y. O l t r e t o r r e n t e c a n b e r e a d a lo n g di f f e r e n t t r aje c t o r i e s: t h e t r aje c to r y c e n t r e - p e r ip h e r y, h a v in g Po n te d i M ez zo a s c o r e f o r a c o n c e n t r ic dis t r ib u t io n is s t ill r e a d a ble in t h e s t r e e t n e t w o r k c r o s si n g t h e n a r r o w blo c k s , a n d c o r r e s p o n d s t o t h e v e hicle s’ t r a n si t io n w a y s . H o w e v e r, w i t h u r b a n s p r a w l a n d f u n c t io n a l r e dis t r ib u t io n o u t si d e t h e c e n t r e, t his s y s t e m t r a n s f o r m e d O l t r e t o r r e n t e in t o a ‘c r o s s e d - n ei g h b o u r h o o d’, a n o b s t r u c t io n t o a f lui d circ ul a t io n of t r a f f ic. Inside the area, cars and pedestrian fluxes are s u p e r im p o s e d, r e s ult in g in a n e nc o u n te r b e t w e e n dif fe r e n t s t r e e t s’ hi e r a rc hi e s a n d a c t o r s . I n f a c t , m a in c o m m e rci a l ar teries correspond to the connection streets for this c r o s sin g , r e s ul t in g in r e c e n t y e a r s m o v in g of c o m m e rci a l a c t i v i t i e s , t o w a r d e a sil y c a r- r e a c h a ble m a lls . N o w a d a y s , t h e n e w in h a bi t a n t s of t h e a r e a , m o s t l y im mi g r a n t s , c a m e t o r e pl a c e t h e s e a c t i v i t i e s clo s u r e. H o w e v e r, w h e r e c a r s a r e t h e p r i v ile g e d a c t o r s , t h e s t r e e t f r o n t m u s t f a c e w i t h a n in c r e a sin g n u m b e r of e m p t y s h o p w in d o w s . For these reasons, the trajectory centre-periphery d e m o n s t r a t e t o b e o v e rc o m e a s t h e i n d u s t r i a l ci t y- m o d el t h a t p r o m ot e d i t , a s k in g f o r a n e w circ ul a t io n w a y.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Old-walls and medieval arteries Bus lines, dif ferent from vehicles, are restricted to b o u n d a r ie s a v e n u e s (old w alls si te) a n d to t h e t w o commercial ar teries of Via D ’A z e g l i o a n d V i a B i x i o .

pedestrian areas school areas b u s li n e s

TRANSPORTATION

bus stops

PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION A crossable neighbourhood Narrow borghi of Oltretorrente allow for oneway vehicle circulation and overcrowded street-side parking, often reducing sidewalk dedicated space. ztl peripheral nodes internal nodes b o u n d a r i e s // a v e n u e s ways-in ways-out secondary one-way roads

A n ‘i n t e r mi t t e n t ’ n ei g h b o u r h o o d

39 Antonio Mascolo, lecture at Laboratorio Urbano Oltretorrente, 2021

Oltretorrente is an autonomous neighbourhood that, o r i g i n a t e d a s c i t y ’s f u n c t i o n s h a n d l e r, g r o w n i t s r o l e a s s e r v ic e s’ a r e a , b e n e f i t in g t h e c e n t r e p r o x imi t y. T his a s p e c t w a s f a cili t a t e d by R i s a n a m e n to’s p r e dis p o si t io n of s p a cio u s blo c k s h o s t in g sin gle f a b r ic s , c a n a li z in g t h e u s e of b uildin g s by s p a c e - d e m a n din g a c t i v i t i e s . To g e t h e r w i t h s e r v ic e s , dis p o s e d in t h e blo c k s clo s e t o t h e v i a l i, a l s o t h e m a j o r s c h o o l s’ c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f t h e ci t y f in d s i t s s p a c e in O l t r e t o r r e n t e. S t r a t e gic a ll y lo c a t e d bet ween t wo bridges, one accessing the Parma centro a n d o n e d i r e c t e d t o t h e s o u t h - e a s t c i t y ’s e x p a n s i o n s , t h e e d u c a t i o n a l d i s t r ic t p l u g g e d o n a r i v e r- e d g e o f t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d, t h u s r e m a inin g p ot e n t i a ll y is ol a t e d f r o m it. T h e p ol a r i z a tio n of f u nc tio n s is r ef lec te d in t h e in te r mi t te n t activation of Oltretorrente, which is one of the most populated areas in morning hours, to empt y with the clo s u r e of di f f e r e n t a c t i v i t i e s . To t h e z o n i n g o f e d u c a t i o n a n d s e r v i c e s , i s o p p o s e d a li n e a r d i s t r i b u t i o n o f c o m m e r c i a l a c t i v i t i e s , d i s p o s i n g o n t h e m a i n c i r c u l a t i o n a r t e r i e s ( V i a D’A z e g l i o a n d V i a B i x i o). S h o p s o p e nin g o n t h e s e s t r e e t w a y s , d e r i v e d f r o m t h e m e di e v a l c o n f i g u r a t io n , a r e in s e r t in g in G ot hic lot s’ g r o u n d f lo o r s , t a k in g t h e pl a c e of t h e b o t te g h e t h a t s t ill p i c t u r e t h e i m a g i n a r y o f O l t r e t o r r e n t e . H o w e v e r, l a s t years counted a dramatic abandonment of commercial activities, par tially due to the societ y shif t toward c e n t r a li z e d m a lls , b u t m a inl y c a u s e d by c a r- p e d e s t r i a n c o n f lic t a lo n g t h e s e a r t e r i e s .

BUILT FUNCTIONS Clusterization of uses W h il e c o m m e r c e s d e v e l o p e d li n e a r l y, o n G o t h ic l o t s’ ground floors, education and facilities found space in later developed blocks, creating functional poles autonomous f ro m t h e neighbourhood.

c o m m e r c i a l activities ser vices poles educational poles commercial paths ser vices paths

B U I LT F O R M

educational paths

BUILT DENSITY From Gothic lots to Risanamento plan Risanamento plan opposed t o ‘u n h e a l t y ’ b o r g h i w i t h l e s s dense block occupation. On the t wo cit y plot s’ junction areas, hybrid blocks configured as mixture of spatial strategies and intentions. b u i l t s u r f a c e >8 0 % built sur face 80 -50% b u i l t s u r f a c e <5 0 % R i s a n a m e n t o’s demolitions post- Risanamento’s constructions

A f r a g m e n t e d n ei g h b o u r h o o d Oltretorrente distinguishes for a high percentage of green areas respect to other and most recently built n e i g h b o u r h o o d s o f t h e c i t y, d u e t o t h e p r e s e n c e o f Ducal Garden. The Garden counts 89% of the total n ei g h b o u r h o o d’s g r e e n a n d 9 2 % of p u blic p a r k s s u r f a c e s , e m b o d y i n g t h e n o r t h li m i t o f t h e a r e a . T h e o t h e r t w o p u blic p a r k s w e r e m o r e r e c e n t l y in s t a lle d in in t e r s t i t i a l lots of liminal blocks, close to the viali. T hese green a r e a s l a c k o f a c o n n e c t i o n s y s t e m , r e s t r ic t i n g c a r- f r e e g a t h e r in g s p a c e s t o g a t e d s p ot s . For this reason, the main relational public spaces of Oltretorrente are the pia z z a s, constellating the entire n o r t h e r n a r e a : t h e s e a r e s m a ll r e s i d u a l v o i d s b e t w e e n m e di e v a l blo c k s t h a t a r e a c t i v a t e d a n d, c o n t e m p o r a r il y, activ ate, ground-floor activities sur rounding t hem. Usu ally conflicting with c ar tr af fic, these spaces constitute a s u i t a b l e r e f e r e n c e p o i n t f o r b a r- r e l a t e d g a t h e r i n g s , never theless excluding the numerous children and f a mili e s a t t r a c t e d t o t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d by t h e s t r u c t u r e d e d u c a t io n a l s y s t e m .

40 Datas derived from analysis of Laboratorio Urbano Oltretorrente 41 T h e s h a r e d p r o b l e m a t i c collected through the inter views was the lack o f a s y s t e m o f a c a r- f r e e gathering spaces dif ferent 84

from the Ducal Garden.

GREEN AREAS Polarization of open spaces The un-built surface of Olt r e to r r e n te is c o nc e n t r a te d in Parco Ducale,to which were recently added two parks obtained in residual areas of southern blocks.

p u b li c p a r k s piazzali private gardens t r e e - li n e d a v e n u e s tree-lined

a v.’s

nodes

U N - B U I LT A R E A S

VOID AREAS Morphological and functional fractures Un-built public areas distinguish in residual blocks, typical of old borghi configuration, R i s a n a m e n t o ’s p i a z z a l i a n d residual areas on dismissed industrial sites.

designed voids interstitial voids residual voids pre- Risanamento area

‘A bandoned before or af ter it was inhabited, A rmilla cannot be called deser ted.’

‘A bbandonata prima o dopo essere stata abitata , A rmilla non può dir si deser ta .’

C a l v i n o I ., L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , L e c i t t à s o t t i l i (3), A r m i l l a, p . 47, t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W., V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

R E A DING VOIDS

R E A DING VOIDS //

BEYOND INFORMALIT Y I n f o r m a li t y in Glo b a l S o u t h I n f o r m a l ci t i e s: a t r a n s n a t io n a l mi g r a t io n I n f o r m a li t y a n d v oi d

3.1

INSIDE VOIDS A t l a s of v oi d s O r i gin s of v oi d Ci t y im plo sio n

3. 2

INSIDE OCCUPATIONS H o u si n g s y s t e m P e o ple w i t h o u t h o u s e s ... ... h o u s e s w i t h o u t p e o ple Informal answers

T h i s c h a p t e r w ill a p p r o a c h i n f o r m a li t y a s a s t r a t e g y o f v o i d s o c c u p a t i o n a n d , r e s p e c t i v e l y, v o i d a s t h e ‘s p a c e of in f o r m a li t y ’. B y b ein g e xclu d e d f r o m f o r m a l pl a n nin g , s o m e a r e a s o r b uildin g s b e c a m e ci t i e s’ le f t o v e r s , p r e s e n t in g di f f e r e n t c h a r a c t e r is t ic s d e p e n din g o n t h e o r igin s of t h eir e x is t e n c e a n d o n t h eir di a lo g u e w i t h t h e s u r r o u n din g ci t y. U n d e r t h e w o r d i n f o r m a l i t y a r e c l a s s i f i e d a ll t h e n o n f o r m a l a c t i o n s o v e r t h e c i t y. T h i s n o n - d e f i n i t i o n , o r definition by dif ferential comparison, broadened the i n c l u s i o n o f m u l t i p l e u n d r i v e n a c t i v i t i e s a s ‘i n f o r m a l’, f r o m mic r o - e c o n o m y s y s t e m s t o t e m p o r a r y a p p r o p r i a t io n of s p a c e s o r t a c t ic s of ‘e v e r y d a y u r b a nis m’: e v e r y t hin g r e l a y i n g b e y o n d t h e li m i t s o f f o r m a l c o n t r o l e n t e r s t h e s p h e r e of in f o r m a li t y. T his r e s e a rc h , b a sin g o n t h e o b s e r v a t io n of t h e ci t y a s a n a r r a t io n 1 , w ill m o v e f r o m a c o n si d e r a t io n of in - f o r m a li t y a s a f o r m o f c o m m u n ic a t i o n - b y - d o i n g 2 , e s t a b li s h e d b y t h e ci t i z e n s t o o v e rc o m e t h e p r o ble m s lin k e d t o t h e in h a b i t a b l e c i t y. I n t h i s s e n s e , t h e p r e f i x ‘ i n ’ b e c o m e s n e c e s s a r y t o ‘ f o r m a li t y ’ w h e n t h e s a m e p r e f i x ‘in’ b e c a m e in dis s olu bl y lin k e d t o ‘h a bi t a bili t y ’ of ci t i e s . R e s e a rc h e r s f r o m t h e Glo b a l S o u t h d e v elo p e d in clu si v e and local reading of their cities overcoming binaries dichotomies3 to consider ‘sever al forms of urbanism c o e x is t in t h e s a m e s p a c e’ 4 . I t is n e c e s s a r y t o u n d e r s t a n d i n f o r m a li t y t o a ll o w i t s ‘ t r a n s n a t i o n a l m i g r a t i o n’ o u t t o T hir d Wo r ld 5 . T his w ill a k n o w le d g e a r e a din g of in f o r m a li t y as claim beyond a need, and as a question beyond an a n s w e r, B y r e a di n g v oi d s a n d u r b a n i n f o r m a li t y t a k i n g s h a p e i n t h e m , t h e a rc hi t e c t c a n m a p s p a c e s a n d cl a im s , t o d e v elo p c o n t e x t- b a s e d p r o c e s s of u r b a n in n o v a t io n . 6

03 1 L a C e c l a F., C o n t r o l ’a r c h i t e t t u r a, o p . c i t ., p . 14 2 D e l v i n R . T., A s k i n g ‘ T h i r d W o r l d q u e s t i o n s’ o f F i r s t World informalit y: Using Southern theory to parse needs from desires in an analysis of informal urbanism of the global N o r t h, i n P l a n n i n g T h e o r y, v o l . 17, i s s u e 4 , p . 5 6 8 - 5 8 7, 2 0 18 A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// j o u r n a l s . s a g e p u b . c o m/ 3 Binar y oppositions like formal-informal, centrep e r i p h e r y, r i c h - p o o r, T hird Word- First Word are dissolved to favour an understanding of cities m o v e m e n t a n d c o m p l e x i t y. M e h r o t r a R . F o r e w o r d, i n H e r n á n d e z F., K e l l e t P., A l l e n L . K ., o p . c i t ., p . x i - x i v 4 Ibidem 5 In the research, the distinction among ‘First’ and ‘T hird’ Word i s a w a r e o f t h e ‘c o n s t a n t interpenetration of these g e o p o l i t i c a l a x e s . R o y A ., Tr a n s n a t i o n a l t r e s p a s s i n g: the geopolitics of urban i n f o m a l i y, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 12 6 F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. R e f l e x i o n e s s o b r e l o i n f o r m a l, i n L a E c o l o g í a d e l o i n f o r m a l, B I D, 2 0 19

BE YOND INFOR M A L I T Y

T h e r e s e a rc h a p p r o a c h e s “in f o r m a li t y ” a s p h y sic a l a c t io n in t h e ci t y- s p a c e, c h a lle n gin g t h e d u a lis m w hic h o p p o s e s it to the formal solutions. Of ten the discourse around in f o r m a li t y r e m a in s s t u c k o n a le g a l b a s e. A s f o r m a li t y is t h e t e r r a in of t h e f o r m a n d r e g ul a t io n , in f o r m a l a c t io n s a r e n ot , i f n ot o p e nl y a g a in s t o r in o p p o si t io n w i t h , d r i v e n by t h e s t a t e l a w. I t is im p o r t a n t , e n te r in g t h e u n d e f in e d f ield s of in fo r m ali t y, t o b e a w a r e of i t s o p e n d e f ini t io n a n d e p h e m e r a l limi t s . I n f a c t , t h e w o r d in f o r m a li t y l a c k s a u ni v e r s a ll y a c c e p t e d d e f i ni t io n M e n t io ni n g t h e w o r d ‘i n f o r m a li t y ’ c o r r e s p o n d s t o t a k i n g a formal position: the definition of ‘informalit y’ is a f o r m a li z a t io n of e v e r y t hi n g e n c o m p a s si n g f o r m a li t y 1 . T his o p e n s t h e cl a s si f ic a t io n of ‘in f o r m a l’ n ot o nl y t o w h a t d e cl a r e s a s ‘n ot- f o r m a l’, b u t a ls o t o w h a t is u n cl a s si f i a ble a s f o r m a l (‘u n - f o r m a l’ ), in clu din g e a c h a c t io n w hic h is n ot pl a n d r i v e n . A s in f o r m a li t y is c o n t e x t- b a s e d d e f ini t io n , i t s h o uld b e c o n si d e r e d a s a h elp f ul cl a s si f ic a t io n v a r i a ble in t im e a n d s p a c e. F o r t his r e a s o n , c r o s si n g t h e b o r d e r s of f o r m a li t y m e a n s e n t e r in g a n u n d e f in e d w o r d of p a r a llel d e si g n p r a c t ic e s , n ot r e g ul a t e d by t h e s a m e d e v elo p m e n t lo gic s . I f, f o r a f o r m a l p r o c e s s , p r o p e r t y e s t a blis h m e n t is t h e f o u n di n g act for the following construction steps, ‘in-formal’ p r a c t ic e s m o v e f r o m c o n s t r u c t io n o r s p a t i a l a c t . T h e d e c o n s t r u c t io n of i t s d e f ini t io n a llo w s t o in v e s t i g a t e ‘informalit y’ as a dif fused practice also in Italian t e r r i t o r i e s . I f in f o r m a li t y is of t e n c a t a lo g u e d a s a Glo b a l S o u t h p r a c t ic e, pic t u r e d, in t h e g e n e r a l im a g e r y, w i t h bi g ci t y slu m s a n d p o o r i n f o r m a l s e t t l e m e n t , t h e a w a r e n e s s of t h e t e r min olo g y in - d e f ini t io n le gi t im a t e s t h e s t u d y of simil a r p h e n o m e n o n a ls o in t h e Glo b a l N o r t h . T h e n o r m a li z a t io n of i n f o r m a li t y a llo w s f o r i t s s t u d y a s a d e si g n p r a c t ic e, a s a s t r a t e g y w h o s e n o r m a li z a t io n s is n ot n e g ot i a t e d ‘a p r io r y ’, b e f o r e t h e c o n s t r u c t io n a c t , b u t i t i s d e r i v e d f r o m a ‘c o n t i n u o u s e x p e r i e n c e e x c h a n g e’. I n t his t e r m s , f o r m a li t y a n d in f o r m a li t y a r e n ot di a le c t ic opposites, but coexisting as complement ar y practices of s p a t i a l a c t io n . 2

3 .1

The house is often t r e a t e d a s ‘ a w a r d ’, r a t h e r than a right. Murales by Hopnn, Sant’Ermenete, P i s a i n A A .V V., L a c a s a popolare in Italia: storia, analisi e prospettive di lot ta, op. cit.

7 C h e i z a n o g l o u C ., T h e n a t u r e o f i n f o r m a l i t y. A p l a t f o r m about the phenomenon o f i n f o r m a l i t y. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// i n - f o r m a l i t y. b l o g s p o t . c o m/ 8 D e C a r l o G ., S v i l u p p o d e l l a città fra razionalità e s p o n t a n e i s m o (19 8 7 ) i n G l i s p i r i t i d e l l ’a r c h i t e t t u r a, E d i t o r i R i u n i t i , 19 9 2

In f ormali t y in Global Sou t h

3.2

Picture showing

Santiago de Chile, Pueblo Recolet a selfbuilt houses. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2 0 19 9 R o y A ., Tr a n s n a t i o n a l t r e s p a s s i n g: t h e geopolitics of urban i n f o m a l i y, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p . 2 9 1 10 R o y A ., Tr a n s n a t i o n a l t r e s p a s s i n g: t h e geopolitics of urban i n f o m a l i y, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p . 2 9 3 11 H e r n á n d e z F., K e l l e t P., A l l e n L . K ., o p . c i t .

S t u d i e s a b o u t i n f o r m a li t y w e r e i n i t i a ll y a p p r o a c h e d i n L a t in A m e r ic a , in 1970 s 3 , w h e r e in - f o r m a l p r a c t ic e a r o u s e a s a n s w e r t o t h e in - h a bi t a ble ci t y. D e s pi t e t h e c e n t r a li t y of ‘h o m e’ a s r e c u r r in g t h e m e, t hir d w o r ld s t u di e s r a r el y a p p r o a c h t h e p r o b l e m a s ‘ h o m e l e s s n e s s ’: s c h o l a r s d e s c r i b e d , w i t h d i s e n c h a n t e d e y e s , ‘ s l u m s’, ‘ s q u a t t e r s e t t le m e n t s’, ‘p a v e m e n t d w elle r s’ a s a v a r i e t y of ‘h o u sin g p r a c t ic e s’. 4 T his ex ample is relev ant to under st and a shif ted appro ached, by r e a din g di f f e r e n t u r b a n p r a c t ic e s a s s t r a t e gi e s r a t h e r than a universal statement of underdevelopment. The interest tow ards single c a ses’ dy n amic s a s sumes an o v e rc o min g of t h e dic h ot o m y f o r m a l - in f o r m a l f r o m glo b a l South ‘scholars: from their Spanish and Por tuguese f o u n d a t io n , L a t in A m e r ic a’s ci t i e s in clu d e d a m ul t i t u d e of a c t o r s a n d g r o u p c o e x is t in g in u r b a n e n v ir o n m e n t . V a r i a t i o n a n d c o n t e x t c o m p l e x i t y, c h a r a c t e r i z i n g e a c h urban environment, have been subsequently reduced for d e si g n a n d r e s e a rc h p u r p o s e s , t o ‘dis mis s a n y t hin g t h a t e s c a p e s t h e r e a lm of c o n t r ol of t h e a rc hi t e c t ’. 5 B r o a d e ni n g

t h e c o n c e p t o f i n f o r m a li t y, a n d d e f i n i n g i t a s m u l t i p l e s t r a t e g i e s o f a d a p t a t i o n i n a ‘c i t y i n m o t i o n ’, b r e a k s t h e b o u n d a r i e s c o n f i n i n g t h e i n f o r m a l ci t y t o a p o o r o r m a r gin a li z e d c o n di t io n . Ac k n ow le d gin g t h e c o e x is te nc e of u r b a n in fo r m ali t y w i t hin t h e f o r m a l ci t y p u s h e d s o m e L a t i n A m e r ic a n a rc hi t e c t s a n d u r b a n pl a n n e r s t o d e v elo p a n e w a p p r o a c h f o r b ot h ci t y r e a d i n g a n d p l a n n i n g . T h e y a r e d e m o n s t r a t i n g a n d a l t e r n a t i v e t o a ‘d e s t r u c t i v e r e s p o n s i v e’ t o i n f o r m a li t y, w i t h d e si g n p r oje c t s in clu din g f le x ibili t y a n d v e r s a t ili t y a s p u s hi n g f a c t o r s f o r t h e c o n t e m p o r a r y ‘k i n e t ic ci t y ’. 6 ‘A rc hi t e c t u r e is t h e s p e c t a cle of t h e s t a t ic ci t y ’, a ci t y b uil t o n (m o r e) p e r m a n e n t m a t e r i a ls t h a t r el a y s o n a rc hi t e c t u r e t o b e r e p r e s e n t e d. D i f f e r e n t l y, t h e ‘k in e t ic ci t y ’ is m a d e of i n t e r r el a t e d s p a c e s s u p p o r t i n g a p a t t e n of t e m p o r a r y a c t i v i t i e s a n d o c c u p a t io n s . I n m o s t of t hir d w o r d u r b a n s e t t le m e n t , t h e f o r m a l - s t a t ic ci t y is e m b e d d e d in t o t h e i n f o r m a l - k i n e t i c o n e . 7 To o p e r a t e i n t h e k i n e t i c c i t y r e q u i r e s a n a c c e p t a n c e o f p r o j e c t a s a p r o c e s s 8, t h a t d e a ls w i t h a m o v in g s p a c e a n d t im e.

3.3

Picture showing increment alit y as a daily practice of spaces adapt ation in Chile. Photo b y G i u l i a P a n t ò , 2 0 19

12 M e h r o t r a R . F o r e w o r d, i n H e r n á n d e z F., K e l l e t P., A l l e n L . K ., o p . c i t ., p . x i - x i v 13 I b i d e m 14 Tu r n e r J . F. C ., H o u s i n g a s a Ve r b i n Tu r n e r J . F. C , F i t c h e r R ., F r e e d o m t o B u i l d: D w e l l e r C o n t r o l o f t h e H o u s i n g P r o c e s s, M a c m i l l a n , N e w Yo r k , 19 7 2 .

3.4

Inhabitants are

preventing, with small and daily maintenance, the existing E x-Biondi building from degrade. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021 3.5

( F o l l o w i n f p a g e) S m a l l spaces’ adjustments to existing building and view over the abandoned Garage Marchet ti. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021

15 A l S a y y a d , U r b a n i n f o r m a l i t y a s a ‘ n e w ’ w a y o f l i f e, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p. 22

In f ormal ci t i es: a t r ansna t ional migr a t ion A n a n y a R oy p r o p o s e s a k n o w le d g e b r o a d e nin g by a s k in g ‘ T h i r d W o r d q u e s t i o n s o f F i r s t W o r d I n f o r m a l i t y ’: w h y w e r e t h e F i r s t Wo r l d ’s p o o r u n a b l e t o cl a i m f o r s h e l t e r as some Third World did? Why does a squat ter in M e x ic o of f e r b e t t e r li f e - q u a li t y r e s p e c t t o a Te x a s o n e? T h e s e c o n si d e r a t io n s , f a r f r o m i d e a li z in g T hir d Wo r ld’s informal practices, look for a critical trespassing of k n o w l e d g e , o v e r c o m i n g t h e ‘ l i m i t s o f c o m p a r i s o n’ 9 t o i n t e r r o g a t e f i r s t w o r d ’s i n f o r m a l i t y w i t h g l o b a l s o u t h p r o p o si t io n a l v i e w. F ir s t w o r ld u r b a n pl a n nin g is of t e n b a sin g o n a n ‘i d e a l’ c i t y m o d e l o p p o s e d t o a n ‘ a n o m a l y ’: t h e c i t y - t o - b e v e r s u s t h e ‘u n d e r d e v elo p e d O t h e r ’ (u s u a ll y T hi r d Wo r l d l o c a t e d ). T h i s d i c h o t o m i c a p p r o a c h p r e v e n t e d , o n o n e side, a reading of informalit y as the kinetic cit y that coexists with the st atic one and, on the other side, to r e c o g nis e lo c a l in f o r m a l s t r a t e gi e s a s cl a im s t o c o n si d e r i n d e si g n p r o c e s s e s . Incre a sing at tention tow ards third word’s infor m alit y flowed in to a n ‘a e s t h e t ici z a t io n of p o v e r t y a s t h e r e sis t a n t ‘ v ill a g e

in t h e ci t y ’ 10 . To ‘s ol v e’ slu m s p r o ble m s by d e si g nin g a n u p g r a din g of t h eir p h y sic a l a p p e a r a n c e w ill, in e v i t a bl y, r e d u c e t h e ‘h o u sin g p r o ble m s’ t o a n a e s t h e t ic m a t t e r a n d i n f o r m a l s o l u t i o n s a s s t e r il e p h y s i c a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f t h e p o o r ’s n e e d. A n ‘e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l r e p r e s e n t a t io n’ 11 of in f o r m a li t y is a F ir s t Wo r d a p p r o p r i a t io n of T hir d Wo r d’ s u r v i v a l s t r a t e gi e s of p o p ul a t io n s r u n nin g a f t e r a d el a y e d d e v elo p m e n t . O n t h e ot h e r si d e, glo b a l s o u t h r e s e a rc h e r s a r e r e a din g in f o r m a l s p a t i a l a c t io n s a s n e e d s c o m m u nic a t io n b e yo n d b ein g q uic k- n e e d r e s olu tio n s. U n d e r s t a n din g t h e q u e s tio n a n d t h e d e m a n d b e hin d in f o r m a l a c t io n s c a n dir e c t f u t u r e d e si g n s t r a t e gi e s 12 t o w a r d n e e d - o r i e n t e d p r o p o s a ls . M o r e o v e r, in f o r m a li t y is n ot c o n si d e r e d o nl y a s e x is t in g c o n t e x t , b u t a s a s e r i e s of v a lu a ble in h a bi t in g t e c h ni q u e s t h a t c a n b e p ot e n t i a t e d t r o u g h a ‘d e sig n t hin k in g’ a p p r o ac h t o t h e p r oje c t 13 . F ollo w in g t his t e c h ni q u e, h o u sin g n e e d p r o p o s a l, w ill c h a n g e ‘ f r o m t h e ‘p r o v i d e r ’ t o t h e ‘e n a bl e r ’ p a r a di g m’. Glo b a l s o u t h a p p r o a c h t o in f o r m a li t y is m o v in g f o r w a r d t h e c o n si d e r a t io n of t h e a rc hi t e c t a s a p r o c e s s c u r a t o r 14 , t h a t d e si g n s f o r a t r a n si t io n r a t h e r t h a n f o r t h e a b s olu t e. 15

16 A n a n y a R o y, Tr a n s n a t i o n a l Tr e s p a s s i n g: t h e Geopolitics of Urban I n f o r m a l i t y, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 0 5 17 I v i , p . 3 0 5 18 A r a v e n a ’s u n d e r l i n i n g the impor tance of understanding the question rather that l o o k i n g f o r t h e a n s w e r. A r a v e n a A ., S e p a r e c e e l t a l l e r a l a v i d a p r o f e s i o n a l ?, conferencia inaugural formación, Pontificia Universidad de Chile, 0 5 . 0 8 .19 19 F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. o p . c i t . 20 Ibidem 21 Rahul Mehrotra, The limits o f u r b a n d e s i g n, U r b a n Age Shaping Cities, 2 0 16 . A v a i l a b e a t : h t t p s :// w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m/ w a t c h? v= e s PJ R n K E y H U

In f ormali t y and Void

2 2 Z a n i n i P., o p . c i t ., p . 3 2 23 Informalit y as a ‘process o f s t r u c t u r a l i z a t i o n’, R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., U r b a n informalit y: crossing b o r d e r, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t ., p . 5 24 K a t i a To r r i f r o m R e t e D i r i t t i in Casa explains that occupied voids are chosen among the ‘forgotten places’ of the cit y for their strategic position, their (u s u a l l y i n s t i t u t i o n a l ) o w n e r, t h e i r h i s t o r y a s s o c i a l b u i l d i n g (a s i n t h e case of ex-Biondi) 2 5 ‘[…] g l i a b i t a n t i r i e s c o n o ad addomesticare, con rare eccezioni, in un modo o n e l l ’a l t r o , c o n p i ù o meno fatic a, il posto in c u i a b i t a n o’. L a C e c l a F., C o n t r o l ’a r c h i t e t t u r a, o p . c i t ., p . 8 0 26 Boundar y tracing is the first step for sp aces’ inhabiting, marking their distinction with the other space. Zanini 96

P, o p . c i t .

I f, u n d e r a f u n c t io n a l m e a nin g , in f o r m a l a c t io n s a r e f illin g t h e v o i d s o f f o r m a l i t y, u n d e r a p h y s i c a l m e a n i n g , t h e s p a c e o f u r b a n i n f o r m a li t y i s t h e ‘ v o i d ’: a s a n e e d t h a t d o e s n ot f in d i t s s p a c e in t h e ci t y, in f o r m a li t y f in d s i t s e x p r e s sio n in ci t i e s f r a c t u r e s o r v oi d s . U r b a n v oi d s a r e scars of planning discrepancies bet ween the idea of a ci t y a n d i t s r e a li t y. T h e f r a g m e n t e d s p a c e of t h e ci t y is t h e mir r o r of s o ci a l f r a c t u r e s a n d c a u s e s lo s s of r e f e r e n c e s y s t e m s a n d dis o r i e n t a t io n . 16 Informalit y charges these planning fractures with meaning and explores their possible re-evaluation as n e e d - h a n d l e r s . I n t h i s w a y, m a p p i n g a n d e v a l u a t i n g a c t i o n s a r e c a r r i e d o u t . A s a f l u i d l a y e r e d s t r u c t u r e 17, needs negotiates with voids and takes shape through s p a c e s a d a p t a t io n t e c h ni q u e s . Void’ selection cor responds to politic al, sp atial, and f u n c t i o n a l s t r a t e g i e s 18 t h a t a l l o w t o m a p q u a l i t a t i v e a s p e c t s of a s p a c e. I n f o r m a li t y u n v eils v oi d s , r e m o v in g t h e m f r o m a n a b a n d o n m e n t c o n di t io n a n d d o m e s t ic a t i n g t h e i r s p a c e s t o i n h a b i t i n g . 19 S p a c e s ’ b o u n d a r i e s a r e t r a c e d, a n d v oi d s b e c o m e r e c o g ni z e d a n d r e c o g ni z a ble. 2 0 Voi d is t e r r i t o r y of in f o r m a li t y, w h e r e dir e c t r el a t io n s hip of people with the space is experimented, without the in t e r f e r e n c e of a f o r m a l m e di a t o r. Vo i d s o c c u p a t i o n i s n o t p r o p o s e d a s t h e r e s o l u t i o n t o ci t y n e e d s , b u t i t m a ni f e s t s , c o n t e m p o r a r il y, a cl a im a n d a first suggestion of spatial resources. This approach c o n f ir m s t h e n e e d of c o n t e x t- b a s e d r e a din g s of c a s e s t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e r e a s o n s b e hi n d v oi d s a n d i n f o r m a li t y a n d t h eir p ot e n t i a li t i e s a s s p a c e s a n d c o m m u ni t y a c t i v a t o r s .

3.1 INSIDE VOIDS

A t las o f voi ds The physical structure of a cit y reflects and suppor ts t h e d e s i r e d s o ci a l s t r u c t u r e 2 1 o f i t s i n h a b i t a n t s . W h e r e this is not happening, the discrepancy space-need is e x p r e s s e d t h r o u g h a n e m p t y in g of s p a c e s . T his s e c t io n w a n t s t o e n t e r t h e v oi d s of n ei g h b o u r h o o d O l t r e t o r r e n t e, t o d i s t i n g u i s h r e a s o n s b e h i n d t h e s e f r a c t u r e s’ o r i g i n s a n d t h eir c u r r e n t p o si t io n in t h e ci t y f a b r ic. D e v elo p e d a s n eig h b o u r h o o d b e yo n d t h e ci t y, in a c o n s t a n t n e g ot i a t io n w i t h t h e i d e n t i f i e d ci t y c e n t r e, O l t r e t o r r e n t e is c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a n in t r ic a t e d plot of l a y e r e d a n d u n di a lo g uin g s p a t i a l d e cisio n s . T h e s t r a t i f i e d his t o r y of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d is r e a d a bl e in the clustering of activities inside planned blocks in jux taposition with pre-existing Gothic lots: if in the Medieval blocks, residential units are arranged in a continuous street front with commercial activities a n i m a t i n g g r o u n d f l o o r, R i s a n a m e n t o i n t e r v e n t i o n o p e n e d t h e blo c k t o v is u a l in t e r a c t io n b u t p r e v e n t e d t h e d e v elo p m e n t of s u r r o u n di n g s t r e e t li f e. W h e n t h e s e t w o ‘p l a n n i n g s t r a t e g i e s’ c o ll i d e , t h e y g e n e r a t e v o i d s a n d h y b r i d blo c k s w i t h in t e r n a l f r a c t u r e s . ‘O p p o s e d’ t o t h e ci t y f a b r ic, u r b a n v oi d s c a n b e d e f in e d a s ‘i n - f o r m a l’ s p a c e s , ‘l o s t s p a c e s’ 22 i n n e e d o f a r e si g ni f ic a t io n . A s ‘in f o r m a l s p a c e s’, t h e s e ‘u n d e sir a ble u r b a n a r e a s ’ 2 3 a c q u i r e a s u b j e c t i v e c h a r a c t e r 24, o f t e n challenged by a need-filling ex perimented through i n f o r m a l i t y. V o i d s b e c o m e s p a c e s f o r p o s s i b i l i t i e s , a u s e f ul t o ol t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w g e n e r a t i n g c a u s e s b e hi n d f r a c t u r e s a n d t h eir r el a t io n s hip w i t hin ci t y c a n p r o m ot e in f o r m a l u s e s o r b e f e r t ile t e r r a in f o r f u t u r e in t e r v e n t io n s .

3.6

Blind walls of the park. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

3.7

View from the por ticated way to the park. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021

2 7 G e h l J ., L i f e b e t w e e n b u i l d i n g s, p . 5 7 2 8 Tr a n c i k R ., F i n d i n g l o s t s p a c e: t h e o r i e s o f u r b a n d e s i g n, J o h n W i l e y & s o n s , N e w Yo r k , 19 8 6 29 Ibidem 3 0 ‘ W h o s a y s t h e y ’r e “ u n d e s i r a b l e” o r “ i n n e e d of redesign?’ in Universit y of Notre Dame, School of Architecture, Reviews: F i n d i n g l o s t s p a c e: t h e o r i e s o f u r b a n d e s i g n, 2 0 19 A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p:// w w w. s a k a l - h o o d . c o m/ C B C . c o m/b u i l d i n g c o m m u n i t i e s . n d . e d u/n e w s/11213 urban- classics- 4-findingl o s t- s p a c e/ i n d e x . h t m l

101

3.8

The functional void of the park revealing

the previous industrial vocation of the area. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021 3.9

Following page: the same void benefits of

its interstitial location t o h o s t c a r- f r e e s p a c e s . Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

3 1 Tr a n c i k R ., o p . c i t .

102

Origins o f voi d B a sin g o n t h eir o r i gin a t in g f a c t o r s , v oi d s c a n b e cl a s si f i e d i n t h r e e c a t e g o r i e s . 25 T h i s s i m p l i f i c a t i o n a l l o w s a r e c o g ni t io n of t h e s e s p a c e s a s v oi d, w hic h is a n e c e s s a r y f ir s t s t e p f o r t h eir f u t u r e r e si g ni f ic a t io n . P u blic s p a c e s’ c o n f i g u r a t i o n n e e d s t h e s u r r o u n d i n g d e n s i f ic a t i o n a n d circumscription of built fabric to be defined: it is an u n b uil t a r e a t h a t h a s a s h a p e, in si d e w hic h m o v e m e n t a n d v a r i a t io n a r e w elc o m e d. U r b a n v oi d s d o n ot c o r r e s p o n d w i t h p u blic s p a c e s , a s t h e y f a ll in t o a p a r a l y z in g s t a bili t y w hic h dis a ble t h e m f r o m a n in t e r a c t io n w i t h s u r r o u n din g s a n d, c o n s e q u e n t l y, dis a c t i v a t e t h eir r el a t io n a l c a p a bili t y.

P L A NNING VOIDS

F UNC T ION A L VOIDS

GEOGR A P HIC A L VOIDS

T hese voids were gener ated by formal planning fault. The lack of organic view for Oltretorrente is mainly attributable to Risanamento plan. Streets and block regularization, imposed over a net of intricated streets, caused some f r actions in the ‘suture’ points with the Medieval c i t y. M o r e o v e r, e x i s t i n g p i a z z a s c o n s t e ll a t i n g t h e b o r g hi w e r e dis o r i e n t e d i n the new imposed spatial hi e r a rc h y.

Left-over spaces or abandoned buildings fall into the categor y of functional voids. D i f f e r e n t l y f r o m pl a n ni n g voids, these spaces are charged with a role memor y which does not make them invisible in si d e ci t y im a g e. W i t h t h e g r a d u a l p e r ip h e r a li z a t io n of Olt reto r re n te, m oti v a te d b y u r b a n s p r a w li n g , b u il t waste has been often p r e f e r r e d t o b uil t r e u s e.

Vo i d s t h a t a r e g e n e r a t e d by a g e o g r a p hic a l f e a t u r e often constitute the boundaries between two a r e a s . A s s t a ble ele m e n t s , they est ablish as later al references in the city im a g e. T h e t o r r e n t P a r m a is an example of edge that assumes value as r u p t u r e, w i t h a n u n c h a r t e d d e f ini t io n of i t s s p a c e s .

Ci t y implo sion? W h e n w e lo o k a t ‘ v oi d s’ a s p o s sibili t i e s f o r p u blic li f e’s in t e g r a t io n , i t is u s e f ul t o d elin e a t e t h eir r el a t io n s hip w i t h a n d w i t h i n t h e c i t y. W i t h t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f s h r i n k i n g c i t i e s, v o i d s a r e b e i n g r e c o n s i d e r e d 2 6 , p a s s i n g f r o m ‘u n u s e d’ t o ‘u s a ble’ s p a c e s . T h e f r a c t u r e s of O l t r e t o r r e n t e makes it fragile; never theless, the strong identit y d e f e n d e d by i t s in h a bi t a n t s is h oldin g t o g e t h e r t h e ‘s t r ip s’ of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d. I t is n e c e s s a r y t o m a p v oi d s of t his c e n t r a l p e r ip h e r y t o r e s e w, s t a r t in g f r o m t h e s e a v a il a ble spaces, a promoting urban tissue. Against the urban s p r a w lin g , dis sip a t in g e n e r g y a n d p e o ple, t h e r e s e w in g a c t io n c o n s t i t u t e s t h e ci t y by im plo sio n 2 7.

R E SIDUA L VOIDS

IN T ER S T I T I A L VOIDS

To b e f o u n d b e t w e e n o n e b l o c k a n d a n o t h e r, t h e s e v oi d s c o r r e s p o n d t o u r b a n pockets, corners and connections that share pla nning voids ‘origin. Being unplanned, theses spaces of ten reflect the li m i t s o f t h e s u r r o u n d i n g built form, lacking a per s e r e c o g ni t io n a s p ot e n t i a l street expansions. We can include in this c a t e g o r y a ls o s t r e e t f acin g abandoned buildings for the background role they s t ill c o v e r f o r p u blic li f e.

U n p e rc ei v a ble f r o m s t r e e t f r o n t , t h e y in clu d e in - f ills resulting from blocks’ subdivision in lots and i n n e r a b a n d o n e d f a b r ic s . They are particularly common when block planning takes place in dif ferent times, as scars consequent to functional transformations. Despite their dif ficult mapping, inter stitial voids allow a r e c o n f i g u r a t io n of s t r e e tblock relation and the in t r o d u c t io n of s e q u e n c e s of spaces, generating a theatre of possible of in t e r a c t io n .

3 2 I r a c e F., D a t e c i s p a z i o , m a c h e s i a p u b b l i c o, i n G 124 , P e r i f e r i e . D i a r i o d e l rammendo nelle nostre c i t t à, R e p o r t 2 0 13 - 2 0 14 , I l S o l e 24 O r e , M i l a n o , 2 0 14 , p. 32 3 3 ‘ 1. T h e c i t y g r o w t h b y implosion and not by explosion, stop to the unsustainable grow th ‘o i l - s p o t ’- t y p e ’ (a u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n), A A . V V., I l m e t o d o G124 i n 2 0 p u n t i. I v i , p . 10 8

DE SIGNED VOIDS These voids include spaces designated, t h r o u g h pl a n ni n g a c t io n s , a s o p e n a r e a s . To p - t o d o w n s p a t i a l r e f o r m a t io n s confirmed these spaces through boundaries circu m sc r ipt io n: t his , w i t h the coming of functional transformations, su f foc a ted t he s e a re a s into t h e i r li m i t , m a r g i n a li z i n g their interaction with surroundings. In Oltretorrente, designed voids’ segregation is endorsed by antivehicle t r a f f ic.

105

3. 2 INSIDE OCCUPAT IONS

3 .10

First floor terrace confining with the abandoned Garage Marchrri

ArtLAb-NomAs P.LE mAttEotti x2

Ex-bioNdi

Via la spEzia

3 .11

Atlas of occupations in Parma

ViA LoNdrA

ViA LiguriA

CAsA CANtoNiErA

Via Emilia Est

LEGENDA 1:100.000

Housing sy s t em I t a l ia n s t r a t e g i es fo r h o usi n g e m e r g e n ci es

3 .12

Public manifest ation ‘ Te n d e i n m o v i m e n t o ’

organized by Rete Diritti i n C a s a , 2 5 . 0 4 . 2 1. P h o t o by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021

1903

1935

1938

Legge Luzzati

Legge n. 1129

RDL n.1165

Promulgation of a m e a s u r e to i n c r e m e n t t h e construction of public h o u s i n g a s s o c i a l p o l i c y, without economic or profit i n te r e s t s , a n d i n s t i t u t i o n o f I . A .C. P. ( I s t i t u t i A u to n o m i p e r l e C a s e P o p o l a r i ). T h e s e semi-public entities had the objective to furnish a house to disadvantaged population by financially involving p r i v a te s u b j e c t s .10 Fr o m t h i s f i r s t h o u s i n g p o l i c y, t h e s t a te e x p e r i m e n t s t h e l o g i c o f ‘ i n d i r e c t i n te r v e n t i o n’ on the hosing problem, by s u st a i n i n g t h e c re d i t fo r b o t h i n v e s to r s a n d b u y e r s , t h u s par tially inser ting housing e m e rg e n c y in p ublic p olitic s.

A f te r WWI destruction and multiple policies with e m e r g e n c y c h a r a c te r, t h e a d v e n t o f Fa s c i s m s a w t h e n a t i o n a l i z a t i o n o f I . A .C. P. under Consor zio tr a gli Isti tu ti fascisti autonomi di case p o p o l a r i. Fa s c i s t h o u s i n g policies were o r i e n te d to w a r d s t h e a p p r o v a l o f m e d i u m - b o u r g e o i s c l a s s 11: t h e s e, o r i e n te d to h i s to r i c a l c i t y c e n t r e s ‘c l e a n l i n e s s’ and reorganization, cases the dislocation of poorer w o r k i n g c l a s s e s to w a r d s peripheries, without t h e a t te n t i o n f o r s o c i a l r e c o n s t r u c t i o n .12

R e o r g a n i z a t i o n o f I . A .C. P. in provincial entities under a central coordination. D e s p i te t h e g o o d p r o p o s a l for the institution of te r r i to r i a l c i r c u m s c r i p t i o n s , t h e a d v e n t o f W W I I s to p p e d t h e c o m p l e te a c t u a t i o n o f the plan.

11 S a c c h i R ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 1 10 B e r g o n z i M , o p . c i t ., p . 8 2

12 C o n f r o n t t h e c a s e o f P a r m a , w i t h

3 .14

Inhabitants are preventing,

O l t r e t o r r e n t e ’s R i s a n a m e n t o

with small and daily

plan and the construction of

maintenance, the existing

p h e r i p h e r i c a l c a p a n n o n i.

building from degrade. Photo

1908

by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021

Testo Unico n.89 Distinction among case economiche and case p o p o l a r i, d i f f e r e n t i a t i n g t h e addressed beneficiaries.

3 .13

Tr a p a n i , I s t i t u t o A u t o n o m o C a s e P o p o l a r i . h t t p s :// w w w. t p 24 . i t / 2 0 15/ 12 / 3 1/ i s t i t u z i o n i / t r a p a n i - n u o v i - o r a r i - p e rl-istituto-autonomo-casepopolari/96866

111

1949

1963

Legge Fanfani

Legge n.60

19 4 9 s a w t h e a c t u a t i o n o f t h e I n a C a s a p l a n (o r L g g e Fa n f a n i ), a m a s s i v e p ro g ra m fo r t h e c o n st r u c ti o n of working- class housing. T h is 7 ye a r s - p la n h a d t h e a i m to i n c r e m e n t e m p l o y m e n t of working class in the construction of peripherical h o u s i n g c o m p l e xe s . T h i s regeneration program was acting physically and socially on t wo levels, by responding to housing emergency of the post war i n c r e m e n te d p o o r f a m i l i e s and by reinser ting many u n e m p l o y e d p e o p l e i n to t h e w o r k i n g m a r ke t. W i t h the construction of 355.0 0 0 accommodations realized,

3 .15

Ina Casa buildings are

recogniz able by colourex tiles

13 I n a c a s a c o n s t i t u t e s a r o u n d 7 % o f t h e I t a l i a n b u i l t p a t r i m o n y. S a c c h i R ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 3 14 ‘ M e g l i o p r o p r i e t a r i c h e p r o l e t a r i ’ slogan Democra zia Cristiana of the Costituente years, Minelli A . R , , o p . c i t ., p . 10 0

L aw n. 6 0, approved at t h e b e g i n n i n g o f 19 6 3 , sanctioned the liquidation of Ina Casa and its substitution with the Gescal p r o g r a m (G e s t i o n e C a s e p e r L a v o r a to r i ). T h i s 10 year plan was aiming at the creation of a found d i r e c te d to c o n s t r u c t i o n and assignment of working-class housing. This found was financed b y a c o n t r i b u t i o n t a x 15 , i m p o s e d to b o t h e m p l o y e e, e m p l o y e r, a n d s t a te, a n d by the liquidation of InaC a s a p a t r i m o n y, c o m p l e te l y privatized for this founding p u r p u s e. The Gescal d e m o n s t r a te inef ficiency in the administrative and realization structures, with the result of delays in plan presentation and g r e a t u n i n v e s te d f o u n d s registered at the beginning of 2 0 2 0.16 A re m a r k a b l e n o ve l t y introduced by Gescal plan i s t h e i n c l u s i o n o f ‘u r b a n p r e - e x i s te n c e s’ a s p o s s i b l e i n te r v e n t i o n a r e a s .17

15 0 . 3 5 % f o r t h e e m p l o y e e a n d 0 .7 0 % f o r t h e e m p l o y e r

o n t h e i r e x t e r i r o r. h t t p s ://

16 T h e s e f o u n d s w i l l b e l a t e r

w w w. p r o f e s s i o n e a r c h i t e t t o . i t /

redistributed among the local

n e w s / a r c h i v i o / I m a g e / 2 0 2 0 / 11/

I . A . C . P. I v i , p . 10 1

INA- Casa _ Modena---Sacca.

17 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 8 5

jpg

112

Ina Casa remains the major construction campaign for public building in I t a l y.13 A consequent o u tc o m e o f t h i s p l a n w a s the peripheralization of Italian cities, without i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l p o te n t i a t i o n, confirming house p r i v a t i z a t i o n 14 a s p r e f e r r e d n a t i o n a l p o l i c y.

1971

1978

1992

Legge n. 865

Legge n. 392

Legge n. 359

The Legge di Riforma p e r l a c a s a r e fo r m s a n d c o o r d i n a te s t h e h o u s i n g s y s te m u n d e r t h e s t a te, with institution of Edilizia Residenziale Pubblica ( E R P ). A l l t h e e x i s t i n g public building patrimony i s t r a n s f e r r e d to I . A .C. P., with the suppression of Gescal and of numerous e n t i t i e s , b e fo r e r e s p o n s i b l e fo r par ticular building c o m p e te n c e s . T h e c e n t r a l coordinanio is assigned to t h e C E R (C o m i t a t o p e r l ’e d i l i z i a r e s i d e n z i a l e), s p e c i f i c a l l y i n s t i t u te d to p r o g r a m a n d c o o r d i n a te i n te r v e n t i o n s’ financing a n d r e a l i z a t i o n 18 a n d to d i s t r i b u te t h e fo u n d i n g s to R e g i o n a l I . A .C. P.19

Another wave of public h o u s i n g r e fo r m a t i o n a c t o n t w o l e v e l s , b y fo r m u l a t i n g a n e w 10 - y e a r s p l a n f o r public housing distribution (Legge n. 3 9 2 /1978 ) and by regulating rent contracts through the Equo Canone alignment ( L e g g e n . 4 5 7/1978 ). T h e Legge di Equo Canone defines the rent amount basing on the ubication value of the building. The u n e x p e c te d o u tc o m e s f r o m t h e s e r e fo r m a t i o n s b r o u g h t to a n i n c r e a s e o f h o u s i n g e m e r g e n c y, w i t h o p p o s i te r e s u l t s r e s p e c t to p o l i c i e s’ a i m e d o n e s: the unfavourable rent m a r ke t l a n d e d to e v i c t i o n s’ p r o c e d u r e s , te m p o r a r y r e n t c o n t r a c t s a n d a u g m e n te d void accommodations, w h i l e p u b l i c h o u s i n g s y s te m w a s i n c o n s t a n t d e l a y, d u e to t h e n u m e r o u s c r i te r i o n s verification to which te n a n t s a n d o w n e r s w e r e s u b j e c te d . T h i s b r o u g h t a gradual degradation and abandonment of houses, d i s a d v a n t a g e o u s to r e n t , and a moving of building investments to w a r d s s e c o n d h o u s i n g m a r ke t s .

Substitution of Legge di Equo Canone with Pat ti in deroga. T h i s f i r s t s te p to w a r d s r e n t s liberalization brought, in 19 9 3 , to a n i n c r e m e n t o f r e n t p r i c e s o f 3 0 0 - 4 0 0 % 20 for new contracts.

18 M i n e l l i A . R , , o p . c i t ., p . 10 2 19 S a c c h i R ., o p . c i t ., p . 3 6

2 0 To s i A ., C a s e , q u a r t i e r i , a b i t a n t i , p o l i t i c h e, C l u p E d i z i o n i , M i l a n o 2 0 0 4 i n B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p. 87

3 .16

Image from the movie ‘Sfrattato cerca casa e q u o c a n o n e ’, 19 8 3 h t t p s :// w w w. s u p e r g u i d a t v. i t / det taglio- film/film- sfrat tatocerca-casa-equo-canonec a s t - t r a m a / M V 18 2 1/ 113

1993

1998

2001

Legge n. 560

Legge 431

Legge Costituzionale n. 3

The last decade of X X centur y sees a gradual exiting of public resources from housing policies. This l a w r e g u l a te d t h e r e l e a s e o f p u b l i c h o u s i n g to te n a n t s , with a selling of almost 10 3 . 0 0 0 a c c o m m o d a t i o n s o n n a t i o n a l l e v e l. 2 1 B y lowering prices, public housing patrimony was s o l d c h e a p l y fo r 2. 5 b i l l i o n , aga inst i ts va lu e of 9 b illi o n. 2 2 Again, the national policies d e m o n s t r a te d to f a v o u r h o u s i n g p r o p e r t y, u n a b l e to s u s t a i n a l o n g - te r m p l a n fo r h o u s i n g e m e r g e n c y resolution.

Almost c o m p l e te liberalization of rent regulations. With rents a l i g n e d w i t h m a r ke t t r e n d s , the prices consequently raised, enhancing the d e m a n d to w a r d s h o u s i n g p r o p e r t y. T h e F o n d o d i s o s t e g n o a l l ’a f f i t t o c o u l d not sustain the multiplied request in front of prices i n c r e a s e. 2 3

2 3 S a c c h i R . D a l l ’e d i l i z i a p o p o l a r e a l s o c i a l h o u s i n g: s t o r i a , p r o g e t t i e i n n o v a z i o n e, Master Thesis, Università di Parma, Dipar timento di Giurisprudenza, Corso di

The modification of National Constitution is the institutionalization o f t h e s t a te ‘s t r a te g y o f regional decentralization. I n p u b l i c h o u s i n g c o n te x t , t h i s c o r r e s p o n d to a n a u to n o m o u s Regional administration and programming of resources, w i t h t h e S t ate f u r n is h i n g o n l y a legal framework.

L aurea in ser vizi sociali, relator 21 Federcasa Nazionale datas 22 Ibidem

V. P e l l e g r i n o , 2 0 2 0

3 .18

A C E R P a r m a . h t t p s :// cdn.gelestatic.it/ repubblica/blogautore/ s i t e s / 7 27/ 2 0 2 0 / 0 2 /

t h u m b n a i l _ A c e r- P a r m a1. j p g

114

2009

2014

2021

Piano Casa dl

Piano Casa

Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza

Piano casa incentivized economic raising a f te r 20 08 financial crisis, by suppor ting r e s to r a t i o n of p r i v a te housing through incentives, quick p r o c e d u r e s , a n d fo u n d i n g . T his pla n was n ot intro ducing s t a te a p p o i n t m e n t s a b o u t public housing policies, thus not addressing lowi n c o m e a n d p o o r f a m i l i e s . 24

This recover y plan follows t h e a p p r o a c h to h o u s i n g problem as contingent e m e r g e n c y, basing on the joint par ticipation of p r i v a te a n d p u b l i c a c to r s to i n c r e a s e t h e n u m b e r o f a va i l a b l e a c c o m m o d a t i o n s, re g e n e r a te ex i s t i n g b u i l d i n g and enhance social housing p r o j e c t s . 2 5 T h e fo c u s s h i f t to s o c i a l h o u s i n g w e a ke n e d t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f E R P 26, which ended up losing c o o r d i n a t i o n a n d fo u n d s . ERP patrimony is fur therly mined by the incentives on i t s s e l l i n g , p o s s i b l e to b o t h t h e i n h a b i t i n g te n a n t s a n d e x te r i o r b u y e r s . M o r e o v e r, the ar ticle V denies the p o s s i b i l i t y, fo r illegal o c c u p a n t s , to s t i p u l a te c o n t r a c t fo r p u b l i c s e r v i c e s a n d to o b t a i n t h e r e s i d e n c e: this, by not entering variables a m o n g o c c u p a ti o n s ( p e o p l e i n n e e d , s t a te o f o c c u p i e d b u il di n g, etc.), d o e s n ot of fe r a l te r n a t i v e o t h e r t h a n s t a te d e p e n d e n c y fo r r o o f l e s s p e o p l e. 2 7

24 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 9 0

3 .19

Piano Casa 2009. h t t p s :// w w w. i d e a l i s t a . i t / n e w s / immobiliare/ residenziale/ 2 0 10 / 0 5/ 2 0 / 6 3 6 1- p i a n o casa- cosi -berlusconi-si-fai- bungalow-a-villa- certosa

Post pandemic recover y p l a n a i m s to s t i m u l a te a reinvestment in the building economy with the institution o f s e v e r a l b o n u s (a m o n g w h i c h s u p e r b o n u s 110 %). The difficulties in the procedures did not allow n u m e r o u s E R P p r o j e c t s to benefits of these founds, w h i c h , s a t u r a te d a f te r p o s tCovid increase of demands, w e r e i n e m p l o y e r s d e f i c i t to fo ll o w s eve ra l c o nte m p o ra r y p r o j e c t s . 28 S p e c i f i c P N R R resources d e s t i n a te d to p u b l i c h o u s i n g a r e c o n t a i n e d i n t h e P I N Q U A 2 9, however claims are raised on the address of these f o u n d s: their financing social housing and urban regeneration could, again, a s s i g n to p r i v a te i n v e s to r s the housing problem, w i t h o u t p o te n t i a t i n g E R P. 3 0

2 8 I n te r v i e w w i t h P i n a S a m m a t i , 2 5 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 9 0 - 9 1 2 6 S a c c h i R ., o p . c i t ., p . 4 5

R e s p o n s a b i l e S .O. Rapporti con i cittadini e Assegna zione Alloggi,

27 In Parma, occupations suppor ted

C o m u n e d i P a r m a , 14 . 0 3 . 2 2

b y t h e R e t e e n t e r e d b e f o r e 2 0 14 ,

29 Programma Innovativo Nazionale

are still autonomous in public s e r v i c e s (e x c e p t f o r p a r t i c u l a r a g r e e m e n t s). K a t i a To r r i , inter view of 09.03.22

Qualit à Abit are 3 0 A A . V V., L a C a s a p o p o l a r e in Italia: storia, analisi e p r o s p e t t i v e d i l o t t a, a v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s ://d i r i t t i n c a s a . b l o g s p o t . c o m/

115

P ep ole w i t hou t houses 3 4 C a c i o t t i C ., D a l l ’e m e r g e n z a abitativa alla precarietà s t a n z i a l e . P r a t i c h e (e significati) di convivenza tra italiani e migranti in u n’o c c u p a z i o n e a b i t a t i v a r o m a n a, i n A n t r o p o l o g i a p u b b l i c a , v o l . 6 ( 2 ), 2 0 2 0 , p .14 4 35 Minelli A . R,, La politica per l a c a s a, i l M u l i n o , B o l o g n a , 2 0 0 4 , p . 115 36 Ibidem 3 7 ‘ S e n z a t e t t o’ i s t h e colloquial tr anslation for t h e E n g l i s h ‘ h o m e l e s s’, liter ally corresponding t o ‘ r o o f - l e s s ’. I t p i c t u r e s how housing emergency is strictly approached as a house-lack problem, of ten missing the backing of social suppor ting program. This star ts a help-depending relation between state and users, mining a reinser tion of the person-in-need into s o c i e t y. 38 T he legaliz ation, through abrogation, of building abuses for example, eased by several housing policies (c f r, P i a n o C a s a d l , 2 0 0 9 )

116

G u i d e li n e s a p p r o a c h i n g h o u s i n g e m e r g e n c y a r e r a r e l y draw star ting from a social analysis of the demand, and more of ten they are built around st andards based o n h o u s i n g u n i t s a n d f a m i l y u n i t s . 2 8 I n I t a l y, h o u s i n g p olici e s h a s b e e n o r i e n t e d t o f a v o u r r e si d e n t ’s’ p r o p e r t y, w i t h a r e d u c e d r e n t o f f e r i n p u b li c h o u s i n g . 29 T h i s s t a n d a r di z e d a p p r o a c h a s s u m e s a f a mil y t y p e f r o m w hic h sin gle u s e r s a n d l a r g e r f a mili e s (u s u a l a m o n g mi g r a n t ’s n u cle u s) a r e e xclu d e d. T his sim plis t ic v i e w of s o ci e t y a s ‘u n d i f f e r e n t i a t e d a n d e x t e n d e d s o c i a l b o d y ’ 3 0 r e v e a l e d fur therly incorrect when, af ter economic crisis, the p o p ul a t i o n o v e r p a s si n g t h e li m i t s of p o v e r t y i n c r e a s e d and transformed its composition, with actors crossing t h e e m e r g e n c y li n e. D e s pi t e t h e e v i d e n c e of lo n g - t e r m p r ot r a c t io n , h o u si n g problems are treated as an emergency to patch with t e m p o r a r y r o of - o v e r- h e a d 3 1 s olu t io n s . Fr o m t h e e n d of W W I I t o 19 8 0 s , I t a l y u n d e r w e n t a s e r i e s of p olici e s a imin g a t f illin g t h e l a c k of r i g h t t o h o u s e in t h e C o n s t i t u t io n . A ll t h e s e r e g ul a t io n s p u s h e d t h e p o p ul a t io n toward a massive housing proper ty by encouraging, e c o n o mic a ll y a n d p oli t ic a ll y 3 2 , in v e s t m e n t o n p r o p e r t y, by not protecting and regulating renting contracts and by n ot in v e s t in g in lo n g t e r m s o ci a l h o u sin g p r o g r a m s .

Houses w i t hou t p eople P a r m a , lik e m a n y ot h e r I t a li a n ci t i e s , li v e s in a ‘c h r o nic a n d p e r sis t e n t d e f ici e n c y ’ 3 3 of a c c o m m o d a t io n s f o r p e o ple in n e e d. P u blic of f e r is in s u f f ici e n t : i f in 2 0 16, E R P w a i t in g lis t c o u n t e d 12 0 0 d e m a n d s , in 2 0 2 1 t h e y r e a c h e d u p t o 18 6 5. 3 4 The Risanamento of Oltretorrente saw the construction of c a p a n n o n i, m a r k in g t h e b e gin nin g of p o p ul a r h o u sin g p o lic i e s f o r P a r m a a n d d e f i n i n g a s t r a t e g ic a l a p p r o a c h of e x t r a - u r b a n e x p a n sio n . D e m oli t io n of O l t r e t o r r e n t e’s b o rg h i, c o n si d e r e d u n h e a l t h y a n d u n pl e a s a n t f o r t h e ‘n e w ’ ci t y im a g e, a s k e d f o r t h e r elo c a t io n of t h e dis m e m b e r e d a r e a s . B r e a k in g t h e ‘b o u n d a r i e s’ of t h e old w a lle d ci t y, capannoni were hut shaped buildings ‘not presenting m a y c o m f o r t s a n d a s k in g s o m e s a c r i f ic e s t o li v e in […] ot h e r w is e t h e t e m p o r a r y a c c o m m o d a t io n w ill t u r n in t o a d e f ini t i v e o n e […]’. B uil t a r o u n d 19 2 9 a n d 19 3 3, t h eir dis p o si t io n w a s f ollo w in g t h e s t r e e t dir e c t o r i e s a lr e a d y s t r u c t u r in g ci t y e x p a n sio n’s pl a n . F r o m 19 4 9 , t h e p r o g r a m I n a - C a s a w i l l b e a p p o i n t e d to answer the need of housing, organizing not only living units, but cit y por tions consisting autonomous a n d c o m p l e t e s y s t e m s of s p a c e s a n d of r e l a t i o n s . W i t h 19 5 7 P i a n o U r b a n i s t i c o G e n e r a l e, i t i s o r g a n i z e d t h e

3 9 Tu r i l l i C., E m e r g e n z a

casa, Sunia Parma: più di 20 0 sfrat ti a l l ' a n n o. C i n q u e m i l a domande di aiuto p e r p a g a r e l ' a f f i t t o, 2 2. 07. 2 1, m i n 2 :5 0 . Av a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s:// v i d e o. r e p u b b l i c a . i t /e d i z i o n e/p a r m a / emergenza-casasunia-parma-piudi-20 0 -sfrat ti-allanno-cinquemiladomande- di- aiutop e r- p a g a r e - l 40 Datas from Comune di P a r m a , B a n d o E R P: g r a d u a t o r i a d e f i n i t i v a, 18 . 0 2 . 2 1, a v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. comune.parma.it/ n o t i z i e/c o m u n i c a t i/ W E L FA R E /2 0 21- 0 2-18/ B a n d o - E R P- l a graduatoria- definitiva. aspx

3.21

To o m a n y h o u s e s

without people, too many p e o p l e w i t h o u t h o u s e s .’ Slogan of association Rete Diritti in Casa, 2 5 . 0 4 . 2 1. P h o t o b y G i u l i a Pa n tò, 2021

117

41 P i a n i d i E d i l i z i a E c o n o m i c a Popolare 4 2 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 9 8 4 3 B r i c o c o l i M ., C o p p o l a A ., S g u a r d i o l t r e l e retoriche. Politiche e progetti per la casa a M i l a n o, E s p a n e t I t a l i a Conference Innovare i l We l f a r e , P e r c o r s i d i trasforma zione in Italia e i n E u r o p a , 2 0 11 44 Regolamento per l ’a s s e g n a z i o n e i n locazione di alloggi di Edilizia Residenziale S o c i a l e, a p p r o v a t o c o n delibera zione di Consiglio C o m u n a l e n . 9 3 / 17 d e l 16 .12 . 2 0 19 , p . 9 45 See, as example, Parma Social House, a programme that counts 400 accommodations a l r e a d y c o n c l u d e d a n d 47 7 under construction. Here, the private Parma80 soc. coop. holds the technical and administrative m a n a g e m e n t . h t t p s :// w w w. p a r m a 8 0 . i t /p o r t f o l i o/ cose-il-progetto-parmas o c i a l - h o u s e - 2/ 4 6 S a c c h i R ., o p . c i t ., p . 5 2 47 ’ S e n z a c o n t r i b u to d e l l o S t a to l ’ E R P n o n s i f a , allora noi abbiamo c o m i n c i a to a f a r e E R S .’ To m a s e l l i I ., A c e r d i r e c to r i n P a r m a i n B e r g o n z i M ., o p. c i t . 118

construction of I. A .C.P residences to substitute the c a p a n n o n i. Fr o m 1978, P E E P 3 5 n ei g h b o u r h o o d s u b s t i t u t e Ina-Casa programs, changing the conception of casa e c o n o m i c a f r o m ‘sin gle o r g a nis m t o u r b a n t ot a l o r g a nis m’ where the house is inser ted in a functional integration pl a n . T h e X X I c e n t u r y s a w t h e p a s s a g e f r o m I . A .C. P. t o r e gio n a l e n t i t i e s , A c e r ( A z i e n d a C a s a Em i l i a R o m a g n a) f o r P a r m a , a n d p a s s a g e of p u blic h o u sin g p r o p e r t y t o m u nicip a li t y. 3 6 T h e e f f e c t s of y e a r s of p r i v a t i z a t io n - o r i e n t e d p olici e s a n d t h e n e w a c t o r s i n h o u si n g n e e d (n e w p o o r s , mi g r a n t s ,…), a r o s e t h e l a c k s of a in o r g a nic a n d u n d e r e s t im a t e h o u sin g s y s t e m , w i t h o nl y 4% of b uil t a c c o m m o d a t io n s d e s t in a t e d to public housing. Public housing policies gr adually t u r n e d t o w a r d t h e i n cl u s i o n o f p r i v a t e f i n a n c i n g a c t o r s in t h e r e a li z a t io n of s o c i a l h o u s i n g p r o g r a m s , e n a c t in g a f o r m of ‘n e g ot i a t e d u r b a nis m’. 3 7 I n 2 0 0 7, E R P s y s t e m w a s f l a n k e d b y E R S ( E d i l i z i a R e s i d e n z i a l e S o c i a l e), b e t t e r k n o w n a s s o c i a l h o u s i n g p r o g r a m m e. T his f o u n d w a s c r e a t e d t o p r e v e n t f a mili e s w i t h a lo w in c o m e, t h a t c o uld n ot e n t e r E R P r e q uir e m e n t s , to f all under pover t y limit s, a ssuring selling price or fixed rent, with a calm price 30% lower than market r e n t . 3 8 D e s pi t e t h e p u blic c h a r a c t e r of E R S, m o s t of s o ci a l housing programs are involved with private owners, in w hic h E R S a c t s o nl y a s m e di a t o r a n d c o n t r olle r. 3 9 Pa rm a So c i a l H o u s i n g is a E R S p r oje c t in w hic h t h e s e d y n a mic s of p r i v a t e - p u blic in v e s t m e n t s a r e e x p e r im e n t e d: i f, o n o n e si d e, s o ci a l h o u si n g p r o p o s e s a b r o a d e n v i e w o n h o u si n g e m e r g e n c y, o n t h e o t h e r s i d e , i t s h i f t s t h e f o c u s f r o m t h e r i g h t t o h o u sin g 4 0 , p e n a li z in g E R P, c o m ple t el y s t a t e f in a n c e d. Sin c e t h e L e g g e Z a g a t t i (19 8 8), E R P w a s f ull y s u s t a in e d by s t a t a l c o n t r ib u t io n; w i t h t h eir r e m o v a l a n d without any economic repayment coming from popular h o u sin g , E R P f o u n d a n in c r e a sin g d e m a n d w i t h d e c r e a s e d r e s o u rc e s . 41 M o r e o v e r, r e q uir e m e n t s t o e n t e r E R S w a i t in g lis t in clu d e an employment contr act for at least one of the family

m e m b e r s a n d t h e r e s i d e n c e a n d /o r w o r k i n g a c t i v i t y o n regional lands for at least 3 years. This excludes from the access all new- coming migr ants and not-working persons, which consist in a big percent age of peoplein - n e e d. 4 2 W i t h t h e s e r e s t r ic t io n s , h o u sin g is c o n si d e r e d a ‘s o ci a l t r o p h y ’ 4 3 r a t h e r t h a t a h u m a n r i g h t .

3.22

ArtLabOccupato is

the other 70-people occupation, together with E x-Biondi in Oltretorrente. Photo by Fabrizio Martelli, Oltretorrente Resistente, Workshop di Fotografia Sociale, Giulio di Meo, 2 0 18 48 It is impor tant to notice that, for most of employment contract, it is necessar y to present a residence or housing contract. This restriction in housing access from ERS lists prevents an way out from pover t y limit. 49 C. Caciot ti, When squat ting b e c o m e s ‘ s t a b l e p r e c a r i t y ’. T h e c a s e o f S a n t a C r o c e/ S p i n T i m e L a b s , R o m e, i n V i s u a l e t h n o g r a p h y, v o l . 9 , n . 2 , 2 0 2 0 , p . 14

In f ormal answer s

3.23

Door on the courtyard’ system of E x-Biondi. Photo by Giulia Pantò

5 0 K a t i a To r r i , i n t e r v i e w o f 09.03.22

In front of a rising housing demand that could not find a n s w e r in t o s t a t e s u p p o r t , h o m e - le s s p e o ple o r g a ni z e d with informal solutions to find an alternative to street li v in g. I n c i t i e s w h e r e h o u s i n g d e f ic i t c o m b i n e s w i t h d i f f u s e d a b a n d o n m e n t , o c c u p a t io n c o n f i g u r e s a s t h e mis sin g r in g f o r a n e q u a l s p a c e r e dis t r ib u t io n c h a in . U n d e r t h e slo g a n ‘ To o m a n y h o u s e s w i t h o u t p e o ple, to o m a n y p e o ple w i t h o u t h o u s i n g ’, t h e m o v e m e n t f o r t h e r i g h t t o h o u s i n g R e t e D ir i t t i in C a s a s u p p o r t s , in P a r m a , o c c u p a t io n w hic h a r e d e n o u n ci n g n ot o nl y t h e h o u si n g e m e r g e n c y b u t a m o r e c o m pl e x ‘s o ci a l e m e r g e n c y ’. 4 4 W i t h ‘o c c u p a t i o n s’ i n f a c t , a r e i n t e n d e d a ll t h e s p a t i a l p r a c t ic e s c o n f lic t in g w i t h a p r o p e r t y of t h e s p a c e. I t is im p o r t a n t to dis t in g uis h b e t w e e n t h e v a r io u s o c c u p a t io n s . a m o n g a r e a r o u n d c oll e c t i v e s a n d m o v e m e n t s p r o m ot i n g t h e r i g h t t o h o u s e.

T h e m o v e m e n t s f o r t h e r i g h t t o h o u s e d e f in e t h eir a c t io n of o c c u p a t io n a s a ‘lib e r a t io n’: u n d e r a s e m a n t ic p oin t of v i e w, t h e s e t w o t e r m s s e t t le a s o p p o si t e. H o w e v e r, w h e n w e e x i t f r o m a le g a l r e a din g , h o u s e o c c u p a t io n s u b t r a c t s a b uildin g f r o m t h e s t a t e of a b a n d o n m e n t . I n P a r m a , 9 o c c u p a t io n s o v e r t h e t ot a l of ? s u p p o r t e d by t h e R e t e, r e g a r d s t a t a l o r i n s t i t u t i o n a l b u il d i n g s . K a t i a To r r i, a c t i v e m e m b e r of t h e R e t e, e x pl a in e d o c c u p a t io n a l p r o c e d u r e a s a n o p e n di a lo g u e w i t h in s t i t u t io n , w i t h t h e c o m m o n a im of f in din g a n a n s w e r t o h o u sin g n e e d. M o s t of lo n g - t e r m o c c u p a t io n m a r k t h e b e gin nin g of a m ul t iple a c t o r s’ n e g ot i a t io n f o r t h e p a s s a g e of b uildin g p r o p e r t y t o t h e m u nicip a li t y. 4 5 ‘ I n e a c h o c c u p a t io n t h a t w e f ollo w e d, t h e r e q u e s t is a l w a y s t h e s a m e: t h a t b uildin g s a r e r e m o v e d f r o m t h e m a r k e t t o b e a v a il a bl e t o a n s w e r m u nicip a li t y ’s h o u si n g e m e r g e n c y.’ 4 6 H o u s e o c c u p a n t s , b e f o r e 2 0 14, w e r e a llo w e d t o a d d r e s s l i g h t a n d w a t e r s e r v i c e s . W i t h 2 0 14 P i a n o C a s a , approved right af ter the est ablishment of Government Renzi, occupants have been denied to sign public s e r v i c e’s c o n t r a c t s i n u n a u t h o r i z e d s e t t l e m e n t s . T h i s r e s t r ic t io n c o r r e s p o n d e d t o w o r s t s q u a t t e r s’ c o n di t io n s o r t o n e g o t i a t i o n s o n o w n e r ’s c o n t r a c t s , c h r o nici z i n g a d e p e n d e n c y a n s w e r t o h o u si n g s c a rci t y. To g e t h e r w i t h s e r v ic e’s r e s t r ic t io n s , t h e m ajo r limi t a t io n of occupation is its confinement to temporariness, an prolonged emergency-state corresponding to the im p o s sibili t y t o r e a c h t h e s t a ble c o n di t io n of r e si d e n c e. 4 7

51 I n p a r t i c u l a r : N o m a s a n d Ar tL ab, E x-Biondi, Casa C a n t o n i e r a ( v i a M a n t o v a ), V i a P r i m o M a g g i o , P. l e Mat teot ti are par t of these negotiations. 52 ‘In ogni occupazione che abbiamo seguito, la richiesta è sempre questa: che i beni vengano tolti vendita e messi a disposizione per l ’e m e r g e n z a a b i t a t i v a d e l c o m u n e .’ A u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n . K a t i a To r r i , inter view of 09.03.22 53 The imposed temporariness is a conditions that occupations shares with other aspirant citizens o f t h e ‘ i n h a b i t a b l e’ cit y S. Boeri, Coabitare n e l l ’a c c a m p a m e n t o u r b a n o, i n G u e r z o n i M ., D a l l a c a s a a l l ’a b i t a r e . Storie di case e di persone a l t e m p o d e l l a c r i s i g l o b a l e, Damiani Editore, Bologna, 2 0 10 , p . 24

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‘Su s p ended ove r t h e aby s s , t h e li f e o f Oc t av ia’s in h ab i t an t s i s l e s s unce r t ain t h an in o t h e r ci t i e s . T h ey k now t h e n e t w ill la s t onl y s o lon g .’ ‘S o s p e s a s ull’ab i s s o, la v i t a de gli ab i t an t i d’O t t av ia è m eno ince r t a ch e in al t r e ci t t à . S anno ch e p iù di t an to la r e t e non r e g ge .’

C a l v i n o I ., L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , L e c i t t à s o t t i l i ( 5 ), O t t a v i a, p . 7 3 , t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W., V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

IN T ER PR E T ING VOIDS

IN T ER P R E T ING VOIDS //

INFORMALIT Y AS CLAIM Fr o m s p a c e - n e e d t o s p a c e - cl a im Fr o m in f o r m a l a n s w e r t o in f o r m a l q u e s t io n

4.1

CLAIM OF PUBLIC SPACE E n t e r in g v oi d s of O l t r e t o r r e n t e

Claim beyond voids

4. 2

CLAIM OF HOUSING From community to occupation From occupazione to occuparsi E x-Biondi: photographic repor tage

A f t e r a r e a din g of v oi d s in t h e ci t y a n d a c a t a lo g uin g of t h eir p o s sible c a u s e s , t h eir in t e r p r e t a t io n a llo w s a n o b s e r v a t io n of t h eir d y n a mic s . Glo b a l s o u t h’ s t u di e s in v i t e t o a p p r o a c h in f o r m a li t y a s a p r o c e s s in v ol v in g c o m ple x a n d m ul t i - l a y e r e d f a c t o r s . T his s hi f t of p oin t of v i e w is t h e p r im a r y s t e p t o o v e rc o m e t h e o p p o si t io n f o r m a l - in f o r m a l a n d t o r e a d cl a im s b e hin d d e si g n a n s w e r s t o n e e d s a n d d e sir e s . O l t r e t o r r e n t e is t a k e n a s a s t u d y- f i eld t o ‘a s k t hir d w o r ld q u e s t io n s t o f ir s t w o r ld in f o r m a li t y ’, s u p p o r t in g a t r a n s n a t io n a l r e s e a rc h a n d p r a c t ic e in c o n t e x t- b a s e d r e a di n g s . T h e in o r g a nic pl a n nin g of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d r e s ul t e d i n i n h o m o g e n e o u s m o r p h olo g y a n d i n t e r n a l f r a c t u r e s of t h e u r b a n t is s u e. I n p a r t ic ul a r, O l t r e t o r r e n t e’ s o u t h e r n blo c k s , o r i gin a ll y in clu d e d in m e di e v a l pl a n nin g f o r t h eir s t r a t e gic a n d w a ll - clo s e lo c a t io n , h a s b e e n f i eld of e x p e r im e n t a t io n f o r di v e r s e i d e a s of n ei g h b o u r h o o d. Fr o m p r ot ot y p e of in d u s t r i a l ci t y t o o bje c t of s o ci a l h o u sin g p r o g r a m s , t h e c a s e s t u d y blo c k p r e s e n t s a h y b r i d m o r p h olo g y, w i t h a c o n t in u o u s s t r e e t f r o n t a r o u n d a c e n t r a l p a r k , u n a ble t o in s e r t in t h e s u r r o u n din g s t r e e t li f e. I n t h e s a m e blo c k , t h e dis mis sin g of a h o s t- c o m m u ni t y b uildin g , t h e E x- Bio n di, c r e a t e d a v oi d - o p p o r t u ni t y f o r in f o r m a l s e t t le m e n t . Sin c e 2 0 16, a r o u n d 70 p e o ple d o m e s tic a te d t h e sp ac e to t h e n e w r e sid e n ti al u s e, s t a gin g a s e r i e s of s o ci a l a n d s p a t i a l a c t i v i t i e s t h a t g o b e yo n d q uic k n e e d - a n s w e r i n g . A n o n - si t e in t e r p r e t a t io n of v oi d s a n d of in f o r m a li t y, t h a t f in d s i t s s p a c e in ci t y ’s f r a c t u r e s , a im s a t cl a im r e a din g , n e c e s s a r y t o g r o u n d a f u t u r e d e si g n p r o c e s s .

1 D e l v i n R . T., o p . c i t . 2 R o y A ., Tr a n s n a t i o n a l Tr e s p a s s i n g: t h e Geopolitics of Urban I n f o r m a l i t y, i n U r b a n I n f o r m a l i t y, i n R o y A ., A l S a y y a d N ., o p . c i t . 3 U l u h o g i a n H ., N a t a l i n i A ., Piano particolareggiato di iniziativa pubblica relativa a l l ’a r e a e x R o b u s c h i – P. l e B a r b i e r i . R e l a z i o n e tecnica. Controdeduzioni s e t t e m b r e 2 0 0 2. A l l e g a t o D, C o m u n e d i P a r m a , p r o t o c o l l o n . 15 0 4 41, c l . 10 , s c l . 5 , f l 2 8 4 Underst anding the ‘barrio a s a p r o c e s s […] a r i s e s the question on how to understand and operate in urban conditions that are dynamic, progressive, e m e r g i n g a n d r e s i l i e n t .’. F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. R e f l e x i o n e s s o b r e l o i n f o r m a l, o p . C i t ., p . 18 -19

125

INFOR M A L I T Y A S CL A IM

Fr om space - ne e d t o space - claim I n f o r m a li t y, in t h e Glo b a l N o r t h , d e s pi t e i t s m ul t iple d e f ini t io n s , is of t e n a p p r o a c h e d a s a n o p p o si t io n t o t h e ‘n o r m a l’ d e v elo p e d ci t y. To o v e rc o m e t h e d u a lis t ic a p p r o a c h , P r of e s s o r R y a n T h o m a s D e v li n p r o p o s e s a f o c u s o n t h e di f f e r e n t i a t io n b e t w e e n in f o r m a li t y of n e e d a n d in f o r m a li t y of d e sir e. D el v i n g r o u p s N o r t h e r n a p p r o a c h e s t o i n f o r m a li t y in t o t h r e e m a in c a t e g o r i e s: in f o r m a li t y a s e v e r y d a y a u t h e n t ici t y, in f o r m a li t y a s b e s t p r a c t ic e a n d in f o r m a li t y a s c r y a n d d e m a n d. C o r r e s p o n di n g r e s p e c t i v el y t o E v e r y d a y u r b a nis m , Ta c t ic a l U r b a nis m a n d D I Y p r a c t ic e s , a ll t h e t h r e e s t u di e s of in f o r m a l f a ll in t o is ol a t e d e pis o d e s of b ot t o m - u p a c t io n s o p p o s e d t o t h e f o r m a l ci t y. I n t h e s e t e r m s , in f o r m a li t y is a s t e r ile a n d circ u m s c r ib e d ex p eriment w hich, r a t her t h a n re sponding to a sp ac e claim, of f e r s s p a t i a l a n d, of t e n , p oli t ic a l q uic k a l t e r n a t i v e s t o t h e r ulin g lo gic s . T his m a k e s in f o r m a li t y a n e xc e p t io n , w i t h o u t a r e a din g of t h e p r o ble m a t i z a t io n b e hin d n e e d d r i v e n a c t io n s a n d a c r i t ic a l u n d e r s t a n din g of d e sir e driven ones. D el v in p r o p o s e s a f o c u s - s hi f t f r o m w h a t in f o r m a li t y is to what are its purposes and consequences over the t e r r i t o r y. N e e d - b a s e d in f o r m a li t y in clu d e s a ll pl a n nin g by- d oin g a c t io n s n e c e s s a r y by dis a d v a n t a g e d ci t i z e n s t o k e e p u p w i t h pl a n ni n g a n d p oli t ic a l in e q u a li t i e s . T h e n e e d e x p r e s s e d by m e a n s of s p a t i a l a c t io n s b e c o m e s a cl a im f o r lo n g - t e r m s p a t i a l ju s t ic e, w hic h s h o uld b e r e a d b y f o r w a r d - lo o k i n g pl a n n e r s t o r e s ol v e ci t y- b uil t dis p a r i t i e s . I n f o r m a li t y of d e sir e is t h e e x p r e s sio n , a c c o r din g t o D el v in , of ‘mi d dle a n d u p p e r cl a s s e s’ f r u s t r a t io n in f r o n t of b u r e a u c r a c y i m m o bili t y. W h e n u n c r i t ic a ll y s u p p o r t e d by pl a n n e r s , t h e s e p r a c t ic e s w ill le a d t o g e n t r i f ic a t io n p r o c e s s e s a n d i n di v i d u a l a n d s h o r t- t e r m b e n e f i t s , t h a t

4 .1

Public discussion on the future of E x-Biondi with the par ticipation of assessors and m u n i c i p a l i t y ’s m e m b e r s , during the event ‘E xB i o n d i : d a l l ’o c c u p a z i o n e a l l ’o c c u p a r S I .’ 15 . 0 7. 2 1 Photo by Luca Fantuzzi, 2021

4.2

E x - B i o n d i ’s i n h a b i t a n t s preparing food for the event ‘E x- Biondi: d a l l ’o c c u p a z i o n e a l l ’o c c u p a r S I . 15 . 0 7. 2 1 Photo by Luca Fantuzzi, 2021

5 D e l v i n R . T., o p . c i t .

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w ill, in t u r n , in c r e a s e t h e in e q u a li t i e s g e n e r a t in g n e e d b a s e d in f o r m a li t y. W h e n g ui d e d by d e sir e, in f o r m a li t y r is k s t o is ol a t e f r o m i t s im plici t c r i t ic of f o r m a l g e n e r a t e d a n d p ot e n t i a t e d in e q u a li t i e s , b e c o min g a n e s c a m ot a g e r a t h e r t h a n a cl a im . I n dis t in g uis hin g n e e d - b a s e d in f o r m a li t y f r o m d e sir e d o n e, f a r f r o m lo o k i n g f o r a f u r t h e r cl a s si f ic a t io n t o w a r d s a u ni v e r s a l d e f ini t io n , D el v in a im s t o f a cili t a t e t h e in clu sio n o n in f o r m a li t y in u r b a n p olici e s . T h e a u t h o r w a n t s t o f o c u s o n in f o r m a li t y a s p r o c e s s e s u s e f ul f o r pl a n n e r t o o r i e n t t h e f u t u r e of a m o r e e q ui t a ble ci t y, b ein g a w a r e of n ot c o n f u sin g in f o r m a li t y w i t h q uic k a n d t a c t ic a l a c t io n s d r i v e n by t h e a e s t h e t ic of a u t h e n t ici t y. T his d o e s n ot e xclu d e in f o r m a li t y of d e sir e: w h e n c r i t ic a ll y d r i v e n , t h e s e a c t io n s e x p r e s s t h e n e e d a n d t h e cl a im of p u blic s p a c e. I n f o r m a li t y a n d in s u r g e n c e a r e e n t a n gle d, e x p r e s sin g r e s p e c t i v el y a c r i t ic t o s p a c e a n d p oli t ic s by ‘pl a n nin g a s t a t e of e xc e p t io n’: u n d e r t his r e a din g , in f o r m a l a c t io n s p a s s f r o m a n s w e r in g t o a n e e d, t o e x p r e s sio n of a s p a c e cl a i m .

Fr om in f ormal answer t o in f ormal ques t ion 6 D e l v i n R . T., o p . c i t ., p . 5 8 1 7 R o y A ., S t r a n g e l y F a m i l i a r : planning and the worlds of i n s u r g e n c e a n i n f o r m a l i t y, P l a n n i n g T h e o r y, v o l . 8 , p .7-11 8 N a v a r r o S e r t i c h A ., B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., F r o m product to process. Building on Urban T h i n k- Ta n k a p p r o a c h t o informal city in Archit D e s i g n , n . 8 1, p . 10 4 -10 9 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s ://d o i . 13 0

o r g /10 .10 0 2/a d .1247

To r e a d in f o r m a li t y a s cl a im a n d n ot a s m e r e q uic k f i x t o n e e d s o r d e sir e s , t r a n s f e r s a q u e s t io n b a c k t o t h e f i eld of f o r m a l. W h e n , in f a c t , in f o r m a li t y is p e rc ei v e d a s a n u n c o n t r olle d a n d u n c o n t r oll a ble s olu t io n , i t o p p o s e s t o t h e f o r m a l u r b a n s p h e r e a n d, s o m e t im e s , i t min e s a t i t s in t e g r i t y. Glo b a l s o u t h’ s c h ol a r s , by a c c e p t in g t h e c o e x is t e n c e of f o r m a l a n d in f o r m a l in si d e t h e ci t y a n d c h a lle n gin g t his dic h ot o m y, p r o p o s e a r e a din g of cl a im s b e hin d s p a t i a l a c t io n s , lo o k in g a t in f o r m a li t y a s q u e s t io n s t o c o n si d e r. B y s hi f t in g t h e c o n si d e r a t io n of in f o r m a li t y f r o m p r o d u c t to p r o c e s s , u n pl a n n e d d e sig n s c a n b e o b s e r v e d w i t hin t h e

c r i t ic a l c o n t e x t t h a t a r o s e t h e m . T h r o u g h a n in n o v a t i v e d e si g n a p p r o a c h , in f o r m a li t y c a n b e r e m o v e d f r o m s e g r e g a t io n a n d m a r gin a li z a t io n . T his t r a n s f o r m a t i v e proc e s s of infor m alit y grounds in t he claim - under st a nding b e hin d s p a t i a l a c t io n s . O nl y t h r o u g h o b s e r v a t io n of cl a im s , in f o r m a li t y p a s s e s f r o m b ein g a p r o ble m t o b e p a r t of a s olu t io n: t h e s e a c t io n s n ot o nl y m a ni f e s t t h e l a c k s of a f o r m a l s y s t e m , b u t a ls o s e t t h e b a s e s f o r a c h a n g e. I n f o r m a li t y a s a f o r m of in c r e m e n t a t io n of t h e e x is t in g r e p r e s e n t s t h e c a p a bili t y of a c o m m u ni t y t o in h a bi t a v oi d. I n t his w a y, t o g e t h e r w i t h in f o r m a li t y, a ls o v oi d s a r e r e c o n si d e r e d, a n d b e c o m e s p a c e s ‘ t o c a p t u r e’, ‘ t o r e - h a bili t a t e’ by l a y e r in g s t r u c t u r e s a n d s p a t i a l p o s sibili t i e s . T h e r e a din g of cl a im b e hin d in f o r m a li t y r e q uir e s a m ul t i l a y e r e d di a g n o sis , w hic h is b ot h m ul t i - s e c t o r i a l a n d s t r o n gl y c o n t e x t b a s e d. A ll t h e s e s t r a t e gi e s of a c c e s s t o ci t y o p p o r t u ni t i e s in sin u a t e, b e hin d a ll t h e s p e ci f ic cl a im , t h e a ll - e m b r a ci n g cl a im t o t h e r i g h t t o ci t y, a s ‘ a r i g h t t o c h a n g e o u r s el v e s by c h a n gin g t h e ci t y.’ I n f o r m a li t y c a n b e in clu d e d in a rc hi t e c t u r a l d e si g n w h e n t h e p r oj e c t e v ol v e s i t s el f a s a p r o c e s s , in t e g r a t e d w i t h b r o a d e n p olici e s of ‘s o ci a l in clu sio n , m o bili t y, s e c u r i t y a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l p r ot e c t io n’. P r oje c t s a d o p t in g in c r e m e n t a l d e si g n , f o r e x a m ple, in clu d e d in f o r m a l a d a p t a bili t y t o t r a n s f o r min g c o n di t io n s a s a d e si g n s t r a t e g y. T h e ‘e c olo g y of in f o r m a l’, w i t h t h e m e a nin g of s el f- s u s t a inin g a n d t r a n s f o r m a t i v e c a p a ci t y a lo n g t im e, i t s f u n d a m e n t a l t o d e v elo p u r b a n s t r a t e gi e s a ble t o o p e r a t e in a t r a n s f o r min g , d y n a mic a n d c o m ple x u r b a n contex t.

9 R a m ì r e z R ., I n t e g r a t e d informality in the barrios o f H a v a n a, i n H e r n á n d e z F., K e l l e t P., A l l e n L . K ., o p . c i t ., p . 13 8 10 B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., A l f r e d o Brillembourg, min 8.30. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m/ w a t c h? v= U J X t O 0 P4 W Q E 11 H a r v e y D., F r o m r i g h t t o t h e c i t y t o u r b a n r e v o l u t i o n, V e r s o , L o n d o n , 2 0 12 12 N a v a r r o S e r t i c h A ., B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., o p . c i t ., p . 10 7 13 F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. R e f l e x i o n e s s o b r e l o i n f o r m a l, o p . c i t ., p . 10

131

Kiosks

Amedeo Bocchi public park

S Y S T E M

O F

V O I D S

F L U X E S

garage

Marchetti

B.ra

4.1 CL A IM OF P UBL IC SPACE Entering voids of Oltretorrente

A n eig h b o u r h o o d - s c a le r e a din g of v oid s a llo w e d f o r a f ir s t di f f e r e n t i a t io n of t h e d e t a c h e d s p a c e s , b a sin g o n t h eir g e n e sis (f u n c t io n a l o r s p a t i a l) a n d t h eir m o r p h olo gic a l s e t t in g s (limi t s a n d e x t e n sio n). T his e n t r a n c e of ‘ v oi d’ w a s c a r r ie d o u t w i t h t h e aim of a p p ro achin g t h e c o m ple x it y of a h y b r i d blo c k a n d t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e c a s e s t u d y in t o a g e n e r a l o v e r v i e w. A n his t o r ic a l r e a din g of v oi d s w ill h elp u n d e r s t a n din g i t s o r i gin a t in g c a u s e s t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e p ot e n t i a li t i e s of a n in o r g a nic a ll y pl a n n e d blo c k : u n d e r u s e d a r e a s c a n b e r e a d in a s y s t e m of p o s sible s p a c e s , of f e r in g a n e w s c e n a r io f o r t h e e x p e r i e n c e of t h e blo c k . F ollo w in g t his p u r p o s e, v oi d s e n t r AaMnEcD EeO BpO CrCoH IpPoU BsLeI CsP A Rt Ko hi g hli g h t t h e a c t u a l u s e s g r a v i t a t in g a r o u n d v oi d s , t o u n d e r s t a n d w h e r e a n d w h e r e n ot t h e u r b a n s c e n a r io of p o s sibili t ie s t a k e s pl a c e. T h e a im is t h e o n e t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e p h y sic a l a n d s o ci a l f a c t o r s w hic h a c t i v a t e t h e s e v oi d s E X - G A R AaG s E MeAm RCH pE tT yT I s u p p o r t s f o r ‘si m ul t a n e i t y ’ of ‘i n s t a n t a n e o u s Via della Salute a c t io n s’ t h a t c o n s t i t u t e t h e p u blic li f e of t h e ci t y. To

ARTICUL ATIO

Bixio

gross floor area 2800 sqm

resting spaces

14 E s p u e l a s p r e s e n t s t h e

INTER

of Miletus as one of the

ENTERING N

first examples in the histor y of cit y planning where the public space is ‘measured, conformed and prepared to become

t his a im , in f o r m a l a c t i v i t i e s in p u blic s p a c e a r e o b s e r v e d a s s p a c e cl a im e r, a f u r t h e r l a y e r of p o s sibili t y o n w hic h a f u t u r e p r oje c t c o uld plu g in . I n f o r m a li t y t r a n s f o r m s v oi d s in t o c o n t e s t e d s p a c e s , gi v in g t h e m b a c k t o u r b a n a t t e n t io n .

an adequate scenario to

c i t ., p . 6 0

green area 2340 sqm

v ol u m

u r b a n s i t u a t i o n s .’ T h e impor tance given to voids a s g e n e r a t o r s o fApm eod eso sB oic bc h ilpeu b lic p a r k public life corresponds to a claim for un-built in the c i t y p l a n . E s p l u e l a s F., o p .

v ol u m

connection to the pa f r o m V i a l e d e i M ill e

of the miceneous cit y

gross floor area 2800 sqm

v ol u m

COVERED

V a.C. reconstruction

green area 2340 sqm

a c c e s s f r o m V i a d e ll a S a lu t e

S C A L E 1:10 0

4.3

E xploded a xonometry of the existim public spaces’ system and fluxes

13 3

Origin o f voi d T h e c a s e - s t u d y blo c k w a s limi t e d, in M e di e v a l t im e s , by t h e old ci t y w a lls , a c c e s sible t h o u g h Po r t a S . Fr a n c e s c o. T his a c c e s s t o t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d a n d t o t h e ci t y w a s a n i m p o r t a n t c o n n e c t io n t o t h e V i a F r a n ci g e n a , w i t h t h e w a y- in t h e ci t y d r i v e n by t h e S t r a d a M a e s t r a S . Fr a n c e s c o (n o w a d a y s V i a N in o Bi x io). S t r a d a M a e s t r a S . Fr a n c e s c o b e c a m e a si g ni f ic a n t d e v elo p m e n t a x is f o r t h e s e t t le m e n t of a c o n t in u o u s r e si d e n t i a l f r o n t w i t h c o m m e rci a l g r o u n d f lo o r. T h e blo c k s f a cin g t his m ajo r s t r e e t w e r e in f a c t c h a r a c t e r i z e d by a s u b di v isio n in G ot hic lot s , f a v o u r in g t h e o p e nin g of a c t i v i t i e s o n s t r e e t- f a cin g g r o u n d f lo o r a n d p r e s e r v in g b a c k y a r d s f o r o rc h a r d s c ul t i v a t io n s . T h e p u s hin g f a c t o r f o r t h e a d v a n c e m e n t of G ot hic lot s in t h e c a s e - s t u d y blo c k w a s p r o b a bl y t h e p r e s e n c e of O g ni S a n t i C h u rc h , lo c a t e d a t t h e c o r n e r b e t w e e n S t r a d a M a e s t r a S. Fr a nc e s c o a n d B o r g o S a n D o m e nic o. R eligio u s b uildin g s w e r e b e h a v in g a s a p r o m ot e r s f o r r e si d e n t i a l s e t t le m e n t s a n d c o n t r ib u t e d, in t h e s p e ci f ic c a s e, t o t h e

R E A D I N G VO I D S

ARTICUL ATION OF PUBLIC A

xio

resting spaces

AMEDEO BOCCHI gross floor area 2800 sqm green area 2340 sqm

PUBLIC PARK

COVERED

WALK WAY

connection to the park access from Camera de f r o m V i a l e d e i M ill e

I N T E R R O G AT I N G VO I

ENTERING NEIGHBOURHOOD

e s t a blis h m e n t of B o r g o S a n D o m e nic o, a s e c o n d a r y- a x is p e r p e n dic ul a r t o t h e S t r a d a M a e s t r a . W i t h t h e c o min g of in d u s t r i a l a g e, in X I X c e n t u r y, t his c o n f inin g a r e a of O l t r e t o r r e n t e b e c a m e t h e a t r e of t h e u r b a n e c o n o mic d e v elo p m e n t of t h e ci t y. Ta k in g a d v a n t a g e of t h e c a n a l (C a n a l e d e l C i n g h i o) r u n nin g a lo n g a c t u a l V i a Bi x io, s e v e r a l f a c t o r i e s s e t t le d o n t h e p r e v io u s c ul t i v a t e d f i eld s . B uil t in t h e ‘p r ot o - in d u s t r i a l’ p e r io d, t h e s e w e r e c o m ple x e s of m o d e s t dim e n sio n a n d w i t h n o p a r t ic ul a r t e c h nic a l in n o v a t io n s , w hic h w e r e in s e r t e d in t h e r e si d e n t i a l p a t t e r n of t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d. T h e y t y p olo g y u s e d f o r t h eir c o n s t r u c t io n w a s r e c a llin g a g r ic ul t u r a l w a r e h o u s e s , p r e s e n t i n g a s y m m e t r ic a l b r ic k s t r u c t u r e c o v e r e d by a t im b e r t r u s s s y s t e m w i t h t ile s r o of i n g. E v e n t h o u g h in d u s t r ie s dim e n sio n s w e r e n ot c o n sid e r a bl y a f f e c t in g t h e u r b a n l a yo u t , t h e t e n sio n c r e a t e d by t h e in s e r t io n of f a c t o r y w o r k- pl a c e in t h e p r ole t a r i a n n ei g h b o u r h o o d of t h e ci t y r e s ul t e d in s o ci a l a n d, r e s p e c t i v el y, p h y sic a l f r a c t u r e s i n si d e O l t r e t o r r e n t e. T h e

4.4

System of voids and public areas of the s t u d i e d O l t r e t o r r e n t e ’s hybrid block

ACTIVITIES

c h il d r e n p l a y g r o u n d s

e l L a v o r o, n o t v i si b l e

IDS

D’S V O I D S

safe pedestrian walk ways

park gated accesses

VIALE

DEI

MILLE

t r e e - li n e d a v e n u e o n t h e o l d w a ll s’ s i t e

c o m m e r ci a l a c t i v i t i e s

KIOSKS BR.A BIXIO gross floor area 480 sqm n . c o m m e r ici a l a c t i v i t i e s 4

4.5

A t l a n t e S a r d i , 176 7,

tavola 3, in Carte storiche dell’Emilia- Romagna, Archivio Cartografico della Regione Emilia Romagna. Available at: h t t p s :// s e r v i z i m o k a . regione.emilia- romagna. it/moka A pp/a pps/ C S T 1H 5/ i n d e x . h t m l 15 C a n a l i G ., S a v i V. i n B a n z o l a V., o p . c i t ., p . 2 5 7 16 “ l ’a p r i m e n t o d i n u o v a s t r a d a in Parma, lungo i due lati della quale siano costrut te case da fornire abitazioni comode e salutari pel popolo: V ia della S alute” in 13 6

B a n z o l a V., o p . c i t .

s t u di e d - blo c k ’s o r g a ni z a t io n is s t ill c h a r a c t e r i z e d by t h e s e f r a c t u r e s , c a u s e d by t h e n e c e s si t y t o in c o r p o r a t e in d u s t r i e s in si d e t h e ci t y t is s u e. I n t h e f ir s t d e c a d e s of X I X c e n t ., w i t h t h e ci t y w a lls d e m olis h e d a n d p o s t- u ni t a r i a n u r b a n c a m p a i g n s a ll o v e r I t a l y, t h e a c c e s s t o t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d w a s m o n u m e n t ali z e d w i t h t h e c o n s t r uc tio n of B a r r ie r a Bi x io, ‘a t r a f f ic n o d e’ f r o m w h e r e t h e s t r e e t s t o L a S p e z i a a n d Va l B a g a n z a d e p a r t e d. T h e d e m oli t io n of t h e w a lls’ b a s t io n c o r r e s p o n d e d t o t h e c o n s t r u c t io n of t h e d o u a n e, t h a t w ill b e c o m e t h e f ir s t n u cle u s of t h e l a t e r b uil t f a c t o r i e s . I n f ac t , i f 18 5 3 c a d a s t r al m a p s h o w s a blo c k o nl y d elimi te d by G ot hic lot s o n t w o si d e s , i t s u p d a t e of 19 0 1 p r e s e n t s t h e p r e s e n c e of a f ir s t in d u s t r i a l p ole, b elo n gin g a t t h e t im e t o L ui gi F e r r a r i. T his f o u n d r y w ill l a t e r b e c o m e p a r t of O f f icin e M e c c a nic h e R o b u s c hi S a l v a t o r e (19 3 5 ), t h a t w ill e x t e n d t h e b uil t f a c t o r y t o t h e in si d e of t h e blo c k . I n t h e m e a n w hile, t h e blo c k e a s t limi t b e c a m e p a r t of a n im p o r t a n t h o u sin g p r o g r a m: t h e c o n s t r u c t io n of V i a d ell a S a lu t e. F o r t h e f ir s t t im e, t h e S t a t e d e ci d e s t o dis mis s t h e a g r ic ul t u r a l l a n d s of Ol t r e t o r r e n t e S o u t h limi t s t o d e v elo p h o u si n g f r o m a ‘h e a l t hi e r ’ n ei g h b o u r h o o d (f r o m h e r e ‘d e l l a Sa l u te’, li t e r a ll y ‘of h e a l t h’ ) . To t his m e a n , a t t h e e n d of 18 5 6, L uis a M a r i a di B e r r y o p e n e d a c o m p e t i t io n gi v in g t h e g ui d elin e s f o r t h e e r e c t io n of c o m f o r t a ble a n d h e a l t h y h o u s e s f o r t h e p o p ul a t io n o n t h e t w o si d e s of t h e s t r e e t . T h e c o m p e t i t io n , w o n by G a e t a n o C a s t elli, b e g a n in 18 57 w i t h t h e c o n s t r u c t io n of V i a d ell a S a lu t e’s f ir s t s h r e d, a n d p r o c e e d e d w i t h t h e s e c o n d o n e, f in a n c e d by C a s s a di R is p a r mio, c o m ple t in g t h e w o r k s in 18 6 2. V i a d ell a S a lu t e is a f ir s t in t e r v e n t io n t o c h a n g e t h e im a g e of p r ol e t a r i a n O l t r e t o r r e n t e. A l w a y s w i t h m e a n s of ‘h e a lin g’ t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d, in 19 0 5, t h e m ajo r M a r iot t i d e ci d e d t o e x t e n d V i a d ell a S a lu t e r e si d e n t i a l blo c k s u n t il t h e old w a lls’ limi t s , by a d din g t h e l a s t t hir d s h r e d. T his , di f f e r e n t l y f r o m p r e v io u s

4.6

B.ra Bixio and Robuschi factory on the borders of Oltretorrente. Archivio Storico Comunale di P a r m a , m i d X I X c e n t ., Fondo Fotografico , v e d u t e a e r e e , 14 .10 17 A v a n z i n i E ., P r o g e t t o d i sistemazione parziale del fabbricato già in uso al Comune di Parma ora di proprietà dei Sigg. Bottioni Mario e Marchetti D o m e n i c o, 19 5 4 , A r c h i v i o S t o r i c o C o m u n a l e , 9 2 7- 5 4 , 12 5 6 - 5 4

t w o, w a s m a d e of t w o s t o r e y e d sin gle - f a mil y h o u s e s w i t h o rc h a r d s o n t h e b a c k . T his t y p olo g y w a s n e w t o t h e a r e a , a n d s t ill dis t in g uis h fo r i t s r ec o g ni z a ble a n d ‘cle a n’ im a g e in si d e t h e O l t r e t o r r e n t e. T h e a x i a l pl a n nin g of V i a d ell a S a lu t e, w i t h t h e t w o f a cin g f r o n t , c o n t r ib u t e d t o a f u r t h e r f r a g m e n t a t io n of t h e blo c k : t h e a c c e s s t o in t e r io r a r e a (a t t his t im e o c c u pi e d by t h e f a c t o r y) w a s n o w g r a n t e d o nl y by a n in t e r r u p t io n of t h e c o n t in u o u s f r o n t , gi v in g a c c e s s t o r e si d e n t s’ b a c k y a r d s . A t t h e mi d of X I X c e n t u r y, t h e R o b u s c hi f a c t o r y w a s m o v e d o u t si d e t h e g r o w in g ci t y. T h e e x t e n d e d in d u s t r i a l a r e a w a s t h e n di v i d e d a n d t h r e e of t h e f a c t o r y ’s w a r e h o u s e s w e r e t r a n s f o r m e d in t o a c a r w o r k s h o p, w i t h a c c e s s f r o m t h e p r e v io u s o rc h a r d s a c c e s s of V i a d ell a S a lu t e. F r o m 19 9 0 Pi a n o P a r t ic ol a r e g gi a to, a r e u s e fo r t h e e x- R o b u s c hi

a r e a s t a r t e d t o b e e n v isio n e d. O nl y w i t h t h e a p p r o v a l of 2 0 0 3’s p r oje c t , t h e s o u t h e r n p a r t of t h e blo c k w ill u n d e r g o a r e o r g a ni z a t io n: t h e pl a n s a w t h e e s t a blis h m e n t of t h e C a m e r a d el L a v o r o, f a cin g t h e m o n u m e n t a l B. r a Bi x io, a n d t h e c o n v e r sio n of in n e r a r e a in a p u blic p a r k , w i t h a d o u ble acc e s s f ro m V i ale d ei Mille (old w alls d elimi t a t io n) a n d f r o m a p a s s a g e in C a m e r a d el L a v o r o’s n e w b uildin g. T h e p a r k , s u r r o u n d e d by r e si d e n t i a l b uildin g s , is limi t e d in t h e b a c k by e x- R o b u s c hi’s w a r e h o u s e s c o n v e r t e d in t o g a r a g e. T h e t h r e e s t a ble s of g a r a g e M a rc h e t t i, dis mis s e d w i t h t h e e n d of X X c e n t . a n d w i t h o nl y a s m a ll p o r t io n s t ill u s e d a s r e si d e n c e, n o w c o n s t i t u t e a blin d b a c k g r o u n d f o r t h e p a r k , p r e v e n t i n g i t s a c c e s s f r o m t h e t o u r is t ic V i a d ell a S a lu t e.

AMEDEO BOCCHI

R E A D I N G VO I D S

ARTICUL ATION OF PUBLIC ACT

resting spaces

chi

COVERED

PUBLIC PARK

gross floor area 2800 sqm

WALK WAY

connection to the park access from Camera del L av f r o m V i a l e d e i M ill e

green area 2340 sqm

4.7

A xonometric view of

I N T E R R O G AT I N G VO I D S

G a r a g e M a r c h e tEtNiT aE Rt I tNhG eN E I G H B O U R H O O D ’ S actual condition

-GARAGE MARCHETTI della Salute

s floor area 2800 sqm

n area 2340 sqm

A m e d e o B o c c h i p u b lic p a r k

v ol u m

E 1:10 0

a c c e s s f r o m V i a d e ll a S a l u t e

13 9

4.8

Aerial view of the case study block,

19 9 8 A r c h i v i o S t o r i c o Comunale di Parma, F o t o g r a m m e t r i c o , 19 9 8 , 14 0

Fondo Fotografico , 3.6

4.9

Aerial view of the case study block, 2021 Google Earth pro exportation, 2022

141

Claim o f public space

4 .10

E xamples of traf fic

barriers in the block: if in the interstitial park these act as access’ limit ations, in B.ra Bixio they are informally used as bar tables. 18 F o r n i E ., L a c i t t à g i o c a b i l e, lecture for Laboratorio 142

Urbano Oltretorrente, 13 .11. 2 0

T h e f r a c t u r e s of t h e blo c k , o r i gin a t e d by t h e l a c k of a n o r g a nic pl a n , c a u s e d t h e m a r gin a li z a t io n of t h e d e si g n e d p u blic s p a c e f r o m t h e v i v i d c o n t e x t of O l t r e t o r r e n t e. T his is r e a d a ble in t h e in d e cisio n of t h e a c c e s s e s t o t h e p a r k , r e g ul a t e d by g a t e d d o o r s , a n d in t h e n o n - di a lo g uin g f lu x e s dis pl a y i n g a r o u n d i t . T h e hi d d e n a c c e s s t o t h e p a r k f o r m B a r r i e r a Bi x io, d o e s n ot a llo w a f lui di t y in t h e p u blic s p a c e. T h e n ei g h b o u r in g B a r r i e r a Bi x io in f a c t , is s u s p e n d e d b e t w e e n v o c a t io n a s s t r e e t m a r k e t a n d t h e e s t a blis h m e n t a s a t r a f f ic n o d e. A n e x a m ple of t his c h a lle n g e d s p a c e c a n b e f o u n d in t h e u s e of t r a f f ic di v i d e r s , s e t t le d t o p r ot e c t p e d e s t r i a n f r o m v e hicle t r a f f ic, a s e a t in g t a ble s f r o m t h e s t r e e t s elle r s of t h e pi a z z a . T his in f o r m a l a c t io n e x p r e s s e s t h e cl a im of a p u blic s p a c e t h a t c o uld c o r r e s p o n d a n d p ot e n t i a t e t h e e x is t in g s t r e e t li f e of O l t r e t o r r e n t e. I t is in t e r e s t in g t o n ot ic e h o w t h e s a m e t r a f f ic di v i d e r s a r e pl a c e d o n t h e ot h e r p a r k e n t r a n c e, a lo n g V i a le d ei M ille: h e r e t h e y c r e a t e a s e c o n d b a r r i e r, a f t e r t h e g a t e d e n t r a n c e, n ot in v i t in g t h e s p a c e’s a c c e s sibili t y. D e s pi t e t h e p a r k p r e s e n t s t h e t r a f f ic s a f e t y r e q uir e d f r o m a q u a li t y p u blic s p a c e, i t is n ot p e rc ei v a ble a n d dis t in g uis h a ble f r o m t h e e x t e r io r, t h u s n ot m ot i v a t in g c o m m u ni t y in v ol v e m e n t in t i t a k in g c a r e. T h e p a r k d o e s n ot di a lo g u e w i t h t h e b a c k- f a cin g r e si d e n c e s a n d, is ol a t e d f o r m t h e u r b a n f lu x e s , i t a llo w s limi t e d u s e r s ‘in t e r p r e t a t io n a n d f r e e d o m . T his h y b r i d blo c k s h o w s in i t s el f t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d’s di f f ic ul t y f o r a n o m ni c o m p r e h e n si v e r e a di n g , s p a t i a ll y r e f le c t e d in a clu s t e r i z a t io n of f u n c t io n s a n d in f e n c e d a r e a s: t h e p u blic s p a c e e n d s t o b e a b a c k g r o u n d f o r h o u s e s r a t h e r t h a t a t h e a t r e in w hic h r el a t io n s c o uld t a k e pl a c e. W hile a ll t h e s p a c e s a r e v is u a ll y in t e r l a c e d, t h e y a r e p h y sic a ll y a n d s o ci a ll y s e p a r a t e d.

Tr a f f ic b a r r i e r s: c a s e s t u d y of in f o r m a l u s e 4 .11

Tr a f f i c p o l e s c a n embody architectonic barriers in public spaces, in this case limiting the access to the park

4 .12

The same urban furniture is used, i n f o r m a l l y, a s t a b l e support by the kiosks of Bra. Bixio

14 3

4. 2 CL A IM OF HOUSING Entering occupation of E x-Biondi T his c h a p t e r w ill f o c u s o n a n e x a m ple of ‘in f o r m a l’ li v in g , e n t e r in g t h e c o m m u ni t y of p e o ple t h a t o c c u pi e d, sin c e 2 0 16, t h e in t h e a b a n d o n e d h o s t in g c o m m u ni t y

ME DI EV AL

GO TH IC LO TS

BO RG O

SA N

DO ME NI CO

ROW

HOUS M ILY

VIA

DELL

SALUT

Bio n di. W i t h o u t e n t e r in g t h e d e b a t e o n ir r e g ul a r i t y of o c c u p a t io n , t h e f ollo w in g ‘ v oi d’ w ill b e in t e r p r e t e d, a s a n o c c a sio n t o p a s s f r o m in f o r m a li t y a s r e s e a rc h of a n s w e r s t o in f o r m a li t y a s cl a im , u s e f ul t o c o n si d e r f o r p r oje c t q u e s t io n s’ r e d e f ini t io n . E x- Biondi occup ation is obser ved R E A Dwith I N G VOthe I D S will of redefining INHABITING OVER THE RIVER t h e q u e s t io n a r o u n d h o u sin g p r o ble m: t h r o u g h a n ROW FA M ILY HOUSES o b s e r v a t io n of t h e s o ci a l a n d s p a t i a l d y n a mic s d e v elo p e d Via della Salute in a c o n di t io n of h o u sin g n e e d, i t is p o s sible t o o r i e n t t h e d e si g n in a n e f f e c t i v e a n d e f f ici e n t w a y. M o r e o v e r, o c c u p a t io n of e x- Bio n di c o n s t i t u t e s a n a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e b uildin g a b a n d o n m e n t : t h e n e e d of u s e of t h e b uildin g im p o s e s t h e r e a din g of i t s dis u s e a s v a c a n c y. I n f o r m a li t y, a s a s t r a t e g y of cl a im is a c o n di t io n t h a t o v e r p a s s e s t h e d u a lis m s f o r m a l - in f o r m a l a n d r e g ul a ri r r e g ul a r. T h r o u g h a d e e p o b s e r v a t io n of in f o r m a l s p a t i a l a c t io n s , p e o ple - in - n e e d w ill r e v e a l a s r e s o u rc e t o b e a c t i v el y in v ol v e d in t h e a rc hi t e c t u r a l p r o c e s s . T h e c a s e of h o u sin g o c c u p a t io n is r ele v a n t in m a ni f e s t in g a c ollec t i v e p r ac t ic e of in fo r m ali t y, a d minis t r a te d t h ro u g h a n in t e r n a l s el f- o r g a ni z a t io n w hic h r e pl a c e s t h e ‘of f ici a l’ r ulin g s y s t e m in t h e h e t e r ot o pic s p a c e of o c c u p a t io n . O c c u p a t io n is a p r o c e s s s t r u c t u r e d by p h a s e s of s p a c e A.C.E.R. APARTMENT HOUSE n e g ot i a t io n , e x p r e s s e d t h r o u g h p h y sic a l a c t io n s of B S D a d a p t a t io n n e e d - t o - s p a c e a n d s p a c e - t o - n e e d. I n f o r m a l a c t io n s a r e q uic k d o m e s t ic a t io n s of s p a c e s , a r isin g a s a n im m e di a t e a n s w e r t o a n e e d. H o w e v e r, o n c e t h e e m e r g e n c y s t a t u s is o v e rc o m e, t h e o c c u pi e d s h el t e r a s s u m e s t h e c h a r a c t e r of a h o u s e (c a s a o c c u p a t a). O c c u p a t io n s is a p r o c e s s r e v e r sin g t h e s t e p s of t h e ‘ t r a di t io n a l’ ci t y ’s c o n s t r u c t io n: i f, f o r f o r m a l p r o c e s s e s , s p a c e s p r o d u c t io n is t h e r e s ul t of u r b a n pl a n s a n d n e g ot i a t io n s , in f o r m a li t y s t a r t s f r o m b uildin g t o r e a c h a r e c o g ni t io n in si d e t h e u r b a n e n v ir o n m e n t . tool shed

g r o s s f l o o r a r e a 18 5 s q m

b u il t a r e a 75 s q m

loors 3

nhabitants 4

private garden

S C A L E 1:10 0

f l o o r -1

ORGO

ground floor

floor 1

OMENICO

g r o s s f l o o r a r e a 19 5 s q m

shared garden

b u il t a r e a 110 s q m

loors 4

nhabitants 6

4 .13

Plan and a xonometric a p.1

v i e w o f l o t t y p l o g i e s o f3 0 s q m Oltretorrente, with a single family hous and an apartment house of ACER ( b l u e) a n d E x - B i o n d i ( r e d ) 19 F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. R e f l e x i o n e s s o b r e l o i n f o r m a l, o p . c i t ., p . 16 2 0 M e h r o t r a R ., T h e l i m i t s o f

S C A L E 1:10 0

ground floor

a p. 2 20 sqm

u r b a n d e s i g n, o pf l o.o rc1-2i t .

a p. 3 30 sqm

14 5

Fr om communi t y t o oc cupa t ion

2 1 A t l a n t e S a r d i , 17 6 7, t a v o l a 3, in Carte storiche d e l l ’ E m i l i a - R o m a g n a, Archivio Car tografico della Regione Emilia Romagna. Available at: h t t p s ://s e r v i z i m o k a . regione.emilia- romagna. i t /m o k a A p p/a p p s/ C ST1H 5/ index.html 2 2 L a s a g n i R ., D i z i o n a r i o B i o g r a f i c o d e i P a r m i g i a n i, Istituzione Biblioteche del Comune Parma, 2009 h t t p s :// w w w. c o m u n e . p a r m a . i t /d i z i o n a r i o p a r m i g i a n i/ ita/Beseghi- Blondi. 2 3 A u t h o r ’s t r a n s l a t i o n f o r ‘Cas a di Educ a zione delle M a r g h e r i t i n e ’, n a m e given to the hosting and educational complex by the founder Giovanni Biondi. Ibidem

14 6

I n t h e f ir s t m a p s of t h e ci t y, t h e t w o b uildin g s f o r min g t h e e x- Bio n di c o m ple x , s t ill a p p e a r a s s e p a r a t e d p r o p e r t i e s a d minis t r a t e d by di f f e r e n t o w n e r s . T h e h o s t in g c o m m u ni t y Bio n di w a s f o u n d e d in 179 2 by Gio v a n ni Bio n di (1747-18 0 8), a t h e olo gis t a d p r i e s t w h o d e ci d e d t o in s t i t u t e a s h e l te r w h e r e t o a s sis t a n d e d u c a t e yo u n g o r p h a n l a di e s in P a r m a . To t his p u r p o s e, t h e p r i e s t a c q uir e d a b uildin g in B o r g o S a n D o m e nic o, clo s e t o t h e O g ni S a n t i C h u rc h , lo c a t e d a t t h e c o r n e r of t h e blo c k . A f te r s o m e n ec e s s a r y wo r k s, r e q uir e d to a d a pt t h e e x is tin g f a b r ic t o t h e n e w h o s t in g - r ole, t h e b uildin g w a s o p e n w i t h t h e n a m e Ed u c a t i o n a l H o u s e o f M a rg h e ri t i n e a n d c o uld w elc o m e t h e f ir s t yo u n g g u e s t s . To g e t h e r w i t h t h e b uildin g, t h e p r ie s t gif te d t h e M a rg h eri ti n e w i t h a d o n a tio n t h a t c o uld e n s u r e t h e m a in t e n a n c e a n d p r o s e c u t io n of his p r oje c t w hic h , in t h e m e a n w hile, w a s a d minis t r a t e d by his b r ot h e r L ui gi Bio n di, f l a n k e d by t h e s pir i t u a l g ui d e of t h e p r i e s t of O g ni S a n t i’s C h u rc h . I n 19 5 0, t h e c o o r din a t io n of t h e I n s t i t u t e p a s s e d t o t h e O r s olin e N o u n s O r d e r, w hic h w ill r ule t h e c o m m u ni t y u n t il i t s clo s u r e, in 2 0 16. T h e Ed u c a t io n a l C o m m u ni t y Bio n di w ill g r a d u a ll y b e c o m e a r e f e r e n c e p oin t f o r a i d a n d s h el t e r of v uln e r a bl e c hil d r e n f o r t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d a n d f o r t h e w h ole ci t y. C oll a b o r a t in g w i t h t h e ci t y ’s S o ci a l S e r v ic e s , t h e Bio n di w elc o m e s min o r s f r o m 3 t o 18 y e a r s , of f e r in g b ot h d a y t im e a c t i v i t i e s a n d lo n g - s p a n r e si d e n t i a l s e r v ic e s , f o r t h e m o s t c o m pl e x si t u a t io n s . I n 2 0 10, a s a r e min d e r of t h e im p o r t a n t r ole a s s u m e d by t h e Bio n di in t h e c o m m u ni t y, h e w a s in v e s t e d of t h e G old M e d a l f o r t h e S a n t Il a r io’s P r ic e.

+8.7 m

E x- Bio n di: c aSCALE s e s1:200 t u d y of in f o r m a l o c c uIpn ah taio bIn tants

overvIew

+0.3 m

T O T: 6 7 i n h a b i t a n t s

11 f a m i l i e s 44 pp.

LEGENDA 1:500

+5.8 m

individuals 23 pp.

InhabItants /natIonalIt y

InhabItant

minors

shared areas

n. inhabitants

15 p p .

shared toilets 40 30 +2.9 m

distribution spaces

room/apartment w/o toilet

room/apartment with private toilet

+0.3 m

nationalit y

Tu n i s i a

Morocco

Albania

Somalia

Russia

Algeria

39 pp.

14 p p .

6 pp.

4 pp.

2 pp.

Inh a bI ta n t s /fa mIly

nucleus

n. inhabitants

40 30 20 10 0

family nucleus composition

1 inhab.

2 inhab.

3 inhab.

4 inhab.

5 inhab.

6 inhab.

19 p p .

4 pp.

12 p p .

4 pp.

10 p p .

18 p p .

4 .14

Datas on E x-Biondi updated to September 2021

147

Fr om o c cu p azione t o oc cu pars i B y o b s e r v in g E x- Bio n di’s o c c u p a t io n , t h e cl a im h o u sin g is u n v eile d, a n d in f o r m a li t y a s s u m e s a m e a nin g b e yo n d t h e n e e d of s h el t e r. O c c u p a t io n , a c c o r din g t o P i e r o Z a nini, is t h e f ir s t n ec e s s a r y s te p to d r a w a ny e x p ec t a tio n o n t h e su r ro u n din g ‘u nlimi t e d s p a c e’. F o r p e o ple li v in g a t t h e m a r gin s , w h o di d n ot f in d ‘s p a c e’ in t h e f o r m a l ci t y, t o o c c u p y b e c o m e s a d e v ic e f o r ‘cl a im e x p r e s sio n , n ot o nl y of a s p a c e, b u t a ls o of a n i d e n t i t y, s t r ic t l y r el a t e d t o t h e s p a c e.’ I n f a c t , d e s pi t e o c c u p a t io n im pl a n t s in a p r e v io u s c o n s t r u c t io n a n d, t h u s , i t is n ot a llo w e d f o r a c o m ple t e pl a n nin g , t h e s p a t i a l s t r u c t u r e o r g a ni z e d b e c o m e s m o r e ‘c o n s cio u s a n d d e t e r min e d’. E x is t in g c o n s t r a in s m a k e e v e r y s p a t i a l a c t io n a n e g ot i a t io n a n d a n e v i d e n t c h oic e of in t e n t a n d d e cl a r a t io n: f r a gile limi t s b e t w e e n p r i v a t e a n d c o m m o n s p a c e s , f o r e x a m ple, a r e s t r e s s e d t h o u g h t t h e in s e r t io n of f il t e r in g o bje c t s (t e n t s , f u r ni t u r e, d o o r m a t s). T h e i d e n t i t y r e a f f i r m a t io n t h r o u g h s p a t i a l s e t t l e m e n t b e c o m e s f u n d a m e n t a l in c a s e of mi g r a n t s . T h e mi g r a n t , f o rc e d t o in t e r r u p t t h e s p a t i a l h a bi t s in a f a mili a r s p a c e, t r i e s t o s u r v i v e t h r o u g h t h e a d a p t i v e p r o c e s s of in h a bi t in g. W a lls of Bio n di b e c a m e t h e c o n s t r u c t e d p a g e s w h e r e t o w r i t e a n d t o r e - e s t a blis h s p a t i a l m a p s a n d lo s t r e f e r e n c e p oin t s of a n u p r o ot e d p o p ul a t io n of mi g r a n t s . T h e in h a bi t e d s p a c e is a r e c e p t o r f o r i d e n t i t y, a w r i t t e n p h y sic a l a n d m e n t a l m a p n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e in di v i d u a l o r i e n t a t io n: i t is a c o n t a in e r of s p a t i a l p r a c t ic e s , c ul t u r a l u s e s a n d r i t u a ls a d a p t e d t o a di f f e r e n t c o n t e x t . 24 Z a n i n i P., o p . c i t ., p . 3 0 25 Ivi, p. 35 26 Ibidem 2 7 L a C e c l a F., M e n t e l o c a l e, o p . 14 8

c i t ., p . 3 2

T h e u n c e r t a in t y of t h e d u r a t io n of in h a bi t in g , in c a s e s of o c c u p a t io n , m a k e s t h e s p a t i a l m o uldin g t h e o nl y p o s sible n e g ot i a t io n f o r cl a im e x p r e s sio n a n d s el fa f f ir m a t io n . T im e a n d s p a c e, t h e t w o dim e n sio n s in w hic h m o v e m e n t s a r e im m e r s e d, a r e dis - o r i e n t e d in mi g r a n t ’s

li f e, t h a t f in d s him / h e r s el f lo s t in a f o r ei g n t e r r i t o r y. T h e t e n sio n f o r c o m p r e h e n sio n a n d r e e s t a blis h m e n t of o r i e n t in g m a p s in a n e w c o n t e x t c o n v e r g e in s p a c e s’ d o m e s t ic a t io n . O r i e n t a t io n , a s a f o r m of c o m p r e h e n sio n , ‘is a n a c k n o w le d g e m e n t of t h e s p a c e w i t h r el a t io n t o u s , in s e r t e d in t his s p a c e’ a n d, s o, of el a b o r a t io n of t h e a c t u a l c o n t e x t t h r o u g h t h e m e m o r y of p a s t s p a c e s . T h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e c h a r g e a s s u m e d by t h e s p a c e e x pl a in s t h e c u r e a n d t h e a t t e n t io n r e s e r v e d t o in t e r io r s f u r ni t u r e, t h e m a r k in g of p r i v a t e’ a c c e s s e s t h o u g h d o o r m a t s , t h e e x p o s u r e of s y m b olic o bje c t s c o min g f r o m t h e o r i gin c o u n t r y o r t h e e s t a blis h m e n t of r i t u a ls a r e a s in si d e t h e houses. I f s o ci a l h o u sin g s y s t e m s of t e n b a s e t h e m s el v e s o n a r el a t io n s hip of d e p e n d e n c y u s e r- m u nicip a li t y, o c c u p a t io n s gi v e a s e n s e of m a s t e r y of t h e s p a c e s , w h e r e u s e r s m a ni f e s t a n d d e f e n d a cl a im . O c c u p a t io n is t h e a c t t h r o u g h w hic h t h e p e r s o n s u b t r a c t s him / h e r s el f f r o m t h e c o n di t io n of v oi d in w hic h i t w a s f o rc e d, w h e n e xclu d e d f r o m f o r m a li t y. H o w e v e r, p r ot e c t i v e is ol a t io n c a n b e c o m e a d a n g e r o u s fo r m of s elf- e xclu sio n, in f r o n t of t h e f e a r of b ein g e xclu d e d by t h e h o u sin g m a r k e t s y s t e m .

28 Ivi, p. 54 2 9 B u i l l o n F. L e s q u a t : problème social on lieu d ’é m a n c i p a t i o n?, U L M , P a r i s , 2 0 11 q u o t e d i n C a c i o t t i C ., W h e n s q u a t t i n g b e c o m e s ‘ s t a b l e p r e c a r i t y ’. T h e c a s e o f S a n t a C r o c e/ S p i n T i m e L a b s , R o m e, o p . c i t ., p . 18

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A c c e s s e s a n d dis t r ib u t io n E x- Bio n di is a c c e s sible f r o m B o r g o S . D o m e nic o, f r o m t w o d o o r w a y s c o r r e s p o n di n g t o t h e t w o b uil di n g s f r o m w hic h t h e c o m pl e x is c o m p o s e d. F r o m t h e o u t si d e, o nl y a pl a q u e o n t h e le f t of t h e p r in cip a l d o o r r e v e a ls t h e p r e s e n c e of t h e old c o m m u ni t y, ot h e r w is e c o n c e a l e d in t h e c o n t in u o u s f r o n t of G ot hic lot s . T he only evidence, on t he ex terior, of buildings’ occup ation a r e t h e m a ilb o x e s: h e r e in h a bi t a n t s pl a c e d t h eir n a m e s in u n o r g a ni z e d w a y t o r e c ei v e p o s t a n d p a c k a g e s . B ein g i t , a t f ir s t si g h t , o nl y a d e v ic e w i t h u t ili t a r i a n p u r p o s e s , i t r e v e a ls a p r olo n g e d s t a y in g a n d in h a bi t in g , t r a n s f o r min g in t o a cl a im of e x is t e n c e. K a t i a To r r i, in f a c t , e x pl a in s t h a t o c c u p a t io n s a r e c a r r i e d o u t w i t h m e t h o d s of p u blic a s s e m bli e s , a n d t h a t a ll t h e o c c u p a n t s a r e r e gis t e r e d by p u blic f o rc e s a t t h e m o m e n t of b uildin g o c c u p a t io n: i t is a d e cl a r a t io n t o t h e ci t y of a n ‘h o u sin g a n d s o ci a l e m e r g e nc y ’. S hif t in g t h e foc u s o n s q u a t te r s f ro m ‘c r isis in c o n t e x t t o c r isis a s c o n t e x t ’, t r a n s f o r m s o c c u p a t io n f r o m e pis o d e s t o p r o c e s s e s , cl a imin g t h e t r e a t in g of h o u sin g p r o ble m s n ot a s e m e r g e n ci e s b u t w i t h a n o r g a nic pl a n . T h e cle a r e x te r n al dis tinc tio n of t h e t wo b o die s c o m p o sin g E x- Bio n di is lo s t in t h e in t e r io r, w h e r e a l a by r in t hic dis t r ib u t io n s y s t e m c r e a t e s a in t r ic a t e a n d l a y e r e d s p a t i a l o r g a ni z a t io n. T h e v e r t ic a l dis t r ib u t io n is o r g a ni z e d o n t w o s t a ir w a y s , s e r v in g t h e f o u r f lo o r s of t h e t w o b uildin g s , o n of t h o s e f l a n k e d by a n ot- f u n c t io nin g ele v a t o r. T h e t w o b o di e s , f a mili a r l y n a m e d by in h a bi t a n t s B i o n d i p i c c o l o a n d B i o n d i g ra n d e, p r e s e n t di f f e r e n t f lo o r h ei g h t s: f o r t his r e a s o n , t h e s t a ir w a y s h a v e a n in d e p e n d e n t r isin g , e xc e p t f o r t h e f ir s t f lo o r, w h e r e a n a p a r t m e n t of B i o n d i g ra n d e is a c c e s s e d t h r o u g h B i o n d i p i c c o l o, a n d in t h e t hir d f lo o r, w h e r e a m e z z a nin e s t a ir l a n din g a llo w s t h e p a s s a g e t o B i o n d i g ra n d e. T h e e x is t in g in t r ic a t e d dis t r ib u t io n , in c r e a s e d by s p a c e s a d a p t a t io n t o t h e n e w u s e, c r e a t e d a n u n r e g ul a t e d

3 0 To r r i K a t i a , i n t e r v i e w o f 09.03.22 3 1 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 18 6

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4 .15

The old plaque is the

only ex terior sign of E xBiondi presence. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021 4 .16

Names on mailboxes are

a l t e r n a n c e of c o m m o n a n d p r i v a t e s p a c e s . To t his c o n f u sio n a n d r is k t o p r i v a c y, in h a bi t a n t s a n s w e r e d w i t h t h e dis pl a y in g of f il t e r in g d e v ic e s , e s t a blis hin g , in t his w a y, t h r e s h old b e t w e e n di f f e r e n t a r e a s .

r e v e a l i n g t h e b u i l d i n g ’s changed function. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021

152

T h r e s h ol d s T h e p r e v io u s f u n c t io n a s h o s t i n g c o m m u ni t y, p r e s e n t e d

15 3

a s ui t a ble g r o u n d f o r t h e b uildin g’ s u b di v isio n in a p a r t m e n t s . A s a g e n e r a l dir e c t o r y, t h e bi g g e r a r e a s of Bio n di (a s t h e s e c o n d - f lo o r c h a p el, t h e c a n t e e n , a n d t h e s h a r e d r o o m s l a t e r e q uip p e d w i t h t oile t s), lo c a t e d in B i o n d i g ra n d e, w e r e a s si g n e d t o l a r g e r f a mili e s . I n s t e a d, s m a lle r f a mil y u ni t s s e t t le d in t h e c e n t r a l p o r t io n of B i o n d i g ra n d e a n d in t h e t w o a r e a s , o n e s t r e e t- f a cin g a n d t h e ot h e r lo o k in g a t t h e in t e r io r of t h e blo c k , o p e nin g a t e a c h f lo o r of B i o n d i p i c c o l o. O n e of t h e m a in p r o ble m s of e x- c o m m u ni t y ’s c o n v e r sio n t o a p a r t m e n t h o u s e, is t h e e x is t in g c e n t r a li z a t io n of s e r v ic e s a t t h e g r o u n d f lo o r. R o o m s w i t h o u t i n t e r io r t oile t s , in B i o n d i g ra n d e, a r e in f a c t s e r v e d by t h e o n e f lo o r b uildin g e x t e n sio n f l a n k in g t h e f ir s t c o u r t y a r d, s h a r e d by di f f e r e n t in h a bi t a n t s; in B i o n d i p i c co l o, t h e o nl y t oile t p r e s e n t in e a c h f lo o r, lo c a t e d b e hin d t h e ele v a t o r v a n e, is u s e d by b ot h t h e f lo o r ’s r o o m s . T h e e x t e r io r a n d s h a r e d t oile t c r e a t e, a t t h e s a m e t im e, a f r a g m e n t a t io n of t h e p r i v a t e s p h e r e a n d i t s p a r a llel e x t e n sio n o u t si d e t h e a p a r t m e n t d o o r. W h e r e d o e s t h e s p a c e of t h e o t h e r b e gin ? W h e r e t h o s e m i n e e n d s? A p a r t i a l a n s w e r t o t h e p r i v a c y- t h r e s h old w a s gi v e n by t h e u s e of s p a t i a l f il t e r in g t o ols: t h e di v isio n b e t w e e n c o m m o n a n d p r i v a t e s p a c e s is r e g ul a t e d t h r o u g h s p a t i a l d e v ic e s , w hic h s e t b o u n d a r i e s w i t h di f f e r e n t p o r o si t y. T h r o u g h t h e s e e s c a m o t a g e s , t h e t h r e s h old r e m a in s a n o p e n q u e s t i o n , a llo w in g p e r m e a bili t y b e t w e e n c o m m o n a n d p r i v a t e s p h e r e s . A n e x a m pl e of p o r o u s b o u n d a r y is gi v e n by t h e u s e of c u r t a in s , r e pl a cin g t h e e x is t in g d o o r s . M elik a , o n t h e t hir d f lo o r, s h a r e s t h e t oile t w i t h t h e f r o n t li v in g f a mil y of F a t im a . T h e a c c e s s t o M elik a’s r o o m , b ein g r i g h t a t t a c h e d t o t h e t oile d, is s e p a r a t e d f r o m i t ju s t f r o m a t r a n s p a r e n t r e d c u r t a in . T his f il t e r in g d e v ic e is o u t s p e a k in g t h e s u p e r f lui t y of a r e g ul a t e d a c c e s s t o t h e p r i v a t e s p a c e a n d , a t t h e s a m e t im e, i t e x p r e s s e s M elik a’s p e rc e p t io n of t h e t oile t a s p a r t of h e r in t im a t e

4 .17

V i e w o f M a l i k a ’s h o u s e from st airs’ landing. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

32 T hese are smaller rooms originated by the central stairs, with only one side f a c i n g o n e x t e r i o r, d i f f e r e n t from the flanking fulllength wings, benefiting of double side window openings. 3 3 B e r g o n z i M ., o p . c i t ., p . 19 0

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w o r ld, d e s pi t e i t s s h a r e d u s e. O n t h e ot h e r h a n d, M elik a’s p r i v a t e s p a c e, t h r o u g h n ot b ein g d o o r- s e p a r a t e d f r o m t h e c o m m o n s t a ir l a n din g , is r e s p e c t e d by ot h e r in h a bi t a n t s , w i t h t h e c u r t a in m a r k in g t h e u n c r o s s a ble t h r e s h old f o r t h e p r i v a t e s p h e r e. M o r e o v e r, t h e t h r e s h old is r ein f o rc e d by t h e p r e s e n c e of a f r o n t d o o r c a r p e t , a c r o s s a ble ele m e n t w hic h , h o w e v e r, u n d e r lin e s t h e p a s s a g e t o a di f f e r e n t- e n t i t y s p a c e. A s c o n f ir m a t io n of M a lik a’s e p h e m e r a l p r i v a t e t h r e s h old, w e c a n f in d a n ot h e r f r o n t- d o o r c a r p e t dir e c t l y a t t a c h e d t o t h e s t a ir w a y l a n din g , t h u s in clu sio n t h e n ei g h b o u r in g f a mil y in h e r p r i v a t e a n d c o m f o r t s p h e r e. D i f f e r e n t l y, t h e c u r t a in is u s e d by K a m a l t o r ein f o rc e t h e g a t e w a y t o t h e p r i v a t e a p a r t m e n t of i t s f a mil y. B ein g a n u m e r o u s f a mil y g r o u p, t h e f a mil y e s t a blis h e d in t h e old c h a p el of t h e f a b r ic, c o n sis t in g in a bi g g e r r o o m s’ s e q u e n c e o n t h e s e c o n d f lo o r. T h e a u t o n o m y of t h e in t e r io r s p a c e, p r o v i d e d w i t h t oile t a n d k i tc h e n , m a k e i t u n n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e f a mil y t o e x p a n d t h eir p r i v a t e a c t i v i t i e s o u t si d e t h e a p a r t m e n t- w a lls . H o w e v e r, t h e a c c e s s t o t h e f a mil y p r i v a t e e n v ir o n m e n t , is lo c a t e d in t h e c o m m o n s t a ir w a y l a n din g d u e t o c h a p el f u n c t io n , w i t h n o in t e r m e di a t e r o o m s f il t e r in g t h e p a s sin g ‘e y e s’. F o r t his r e a s o n , t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e a p a r t m e n t is r e g ul a t e d by a d o o r a n d t w o c u r t a in s , w hic h d o n ot a llo w v is u a l p e r m e a bili t y t o c r o s s t h e in t im a t e s p h e r e of t h e f a mil y. M o r e o v e r, t h e k n o w le d g e of K a m a l in w o o d w o r k in g , a llo w e d him t o r e - o r g a ni z e t h e s p a c e in a s e q u e n c e of di v i d e d r o o m s , c o r r e s p o n di n g t o t h e m o m e n t s of t h e f a mil y li f e. T h e a r t ic ul a t io n of s p a c e s f ollo w s a p a t h f r o m t h e s h a r e d a r e a s ( k i tc h e n , li v in g) t o t h e bi g b e d r o o m a r e a , i t s el f di v i d e d by clo s e t s in t o c o m p a r t m e n t s f o r t h e di f f e r e n t in h a bi t a n t s . A c c o r din g t o t h e n e e d e d d e g r e e of in t im a c y p e rc ei v e d, t h r e s h ol d b e t w e e n c o m m o n a n d p r i v a t e s p h e r e s a r e r e m a r k e d, dis s ol v e d o r sim pl y t r a c e d, n e g ot i a t in g

e x is t in g s p a c e s w i t hin in h a bi t a n t s r e q uir e m e n t s . I f t h e t h r e s h old is , o n o n e si d e, a c o m p e t e d s p a c e, i t c o n s t i t u t e s a ls o t h e s t a g e f o r r el a t io n d e ploy m e n t in si d e t h e h o u s e. T im e in si d e Bio n di is di f f e r e n t f r o m t h e o n e o u t si d e: i t is a t im e m a d e of r el a t io n s , of r i t u a ls a n d p a t h s t o f ollo w, t r u s t in g t h e f lo w in g of in h a bi t a n t s f r o m o n e a p a r t m e n t t o t h e ot h e r. F il t e r i n g d e v ic e s a r e a r r a n g e d t o d e f in e ‘p a u s e s’ in t his f lo w in g b e t w e e n s p a c e s a n d t o r e g ul a t e e n c o u n t e r s a m o n g in h a bi t a n t s . T h e dis t r ib u t io n a r e a s c o n s t i t u t e t h e in t e r io r ’s r el a t io n a l s p a c e s: s t a ir w a y s a r e a nim a t e d by r u n nin g c hild r e n’s , p e o ple c h a t t in g o n t h e d o o r w a y s a n d s m ells of f o o d s a r r i v i n g f r o m di f f e r e n t c ul t u r e s . A s h o u si n g e m e r g e n c y f ille d a ll t h e a v a il a ble r o o m s of Bio n di w i t h in h a bi t a n t s , s t a ir w a y s r e m a in e d a s t h e m a in in t e r io r c o m m o n s p a c e.

4 .18

The accesses to the apartments opens directly

Courtyards To g e t h e r w i t h s t a ir w a y s a r e a s , c o u r t y a r d s a r e t h e e x t e r io r

on common staircases, a r i s i n g t h e u r g e n c y, f o r the inhabit ants, to delimit their private sphere

c o m m u ni t a r i a n s p a c e s f o r E x- Bio n di in h a bi t a n t s . A s c o m m o n a r e a s , t h e y a r e s p a c e s of n e g ot i a t io n , w h e r e o c c u p a n t s dis c u s s a n d b uild p r a c t ic e s f o r c o m m u ni t a r i a n in h a bi t in g. T h e o p e n a r e a s r e p r e s e n t t h e b e yo n d s h el t e r dim e n sio n of o c c u p a t io n , w i t h t h e p h y sic a l e x p e r im e n t a t io n of ‘r e b uildin g’ i d e n t i t y o u t si d e t h e p r i v a t e dim e n sio n , t h r o u g h t h e ‘h u m a n p r a c t ic e s of in h a bi t in g’ . T h e r e e x is t f o u r di f f e r e n t c o u r t y a r d s in t h e c o m ple x , a n d e a c h of t h e m is dis t in g uis h e d by t h e p e rc e p t io n a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n t u s e t h a t t h e in h a bi t a n t s r el a t e t o t h e m . I n f a c t , e v e n t h o u g h t h r e e of t h e f o u r o p e n a r e a s c o m p o s e a s e q u e n c e of f lui d s p a c e s , w i t h a u ni q u e a c c e s s t h r o u g h t h e bi g g e r w in g of t h e c o m ple x , in h a bi t a n t s r e m a r k t h e dis t in c t io n in t o: t h e c o u r t y a r d, t h e g a r d e n a n d t h e c hild r e n - c o u r t y a r d. T h e c o u r t y a r d is t h e f ir s t o p e n s p a c e s e n c o u n t e r e d f r o m t h e in t e r io r, a s i t is p a v e d a n d limi t e d by t h e m a in b uildin g o n t h e b a c k a n d by t h e l a t e r- a d d e d p r ot r u sio n s o n t h e si d e s (o n e h o s t in g t h e s h a r e d t oile t s a n d o n e c o n v e r t e d in f a mil y a p a r t m e n t). I t is t h e p r e f e r r e d pl a c e f o r a s s e m bl y, a s i t is a p a s s a g e w a y t o t h e ot h e r o p e n a r e a a n d is si g h t- p r ot e c t e d f r o m ot h e r h o u s e s , a s a ll t h e w in d o w s lo o k in g o n t h e c o u r t y a r d a r e b elo n gin g t o e x- Bio n di. T h e E x- Bio n di is in f a c t a d minis t r a t e d w i t h in t e r n a l a s s e m bli e s , in w hic h in h a bi t a n t s dis c u s s o r din a r y p r o ble m s a n d n e w e n t r a n c e s a n d e x i t s f r o m t h e h o u s e. I n t e r n a l r e g ul a t io n s , c o m m o n t r e a t w i t h ot h e r a p a r t m e n t h o u s e s , b e c o m e e v e n m o r e r ele v a n t in o c c u p a t io n , w h e r e t h e s m a lle r a gi t a t io n c o uld b e t h e p r e t e x t f o r e v ic t io n . G o o d r el a t io n s w i t h t h e n ei g h b o u r h o o d a r e f u n d a m e n t a l f o r t h e p e r m a n e n c e of o c c u p a n t s in t h e h o u s e, f o r t his r e a s o n e a c h p r o ble m is im m e di a t el y dis c u s s e d a n d c o n t r olle d in t e r n a ll y. T h e c o u r t y a r d, f o r i t s limi t e d a n d e y e - e x p o s e d lo c a t io n , b e c o m e s t h e m a in t h e a t r e f o r c o n f lic t s’ r e s olu t io n: f o rcibl y s h a r e d by a ll

4 .19

The courtyard, visible only by E xB i o n d i ’s i n h a b i t a n t s , is a competed territory fo r o r din a r y ‘c o n f lic t s’ exploits, for example garbage dismantlement Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

3 4 L a C e c l a F., M e n t e l o c a l e, o p . c i t ., p . 7 5

159

4.20

Inrahim and Aiub taking care of the garden. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021 4.21

Birdcages, usually stored in inhabitants

houses, following Arab traditions, are moved to the garden with the summer coming. . Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021 35 Inhabitants explained that, par ticularly in Moroccan houses, it is common to keep bird cages in the 160

house.

t h e in h a bi t a n t s , w h e n i t is c a r ele s sl y m e s s y f o r g a r b a g e a c c u m ul a t io n , i t c o m e s t o m a ni f e s t a f r ic t io n a m o n g s o m e of t h e r e si d e n t s . A s m a ll, s t e p p e d g a t e gi v e s a c c e s s t o t h e g a r d e n , a n u n p a v e d a r e a w h o s e b o r d e r in g w alls , b ein g r ic hly c ov e r e d by v e g e t a t io n , g e t li g h t e r a n d e p h e m e r a l, c r e a t in g a s e n s e of o p e nin g in t h e b uil t d e n si t y of t h e ci t y c e n t r e. T h e g a r d e n is t h e p r i d e of t h e in h a bi t a n t s: d u r in g e v e n t s , e x t e r io r v isi t o r s a r e s u r p r is e d t o a c k n o w le d g e t h e e x is t e n c e of a g r e e n a r e a b e hin d t h e c o n t in u o u s s t r e e t- f r o n t of O l t r e t o r r e n t e. E x- Bio n di p r e s e r v e s , in f a c t , a bi g u n b uil ts u r f a c e of w h a t w e r e t h e lot o rc h y a r d s , w i t h o nl y t h e t w o l a t e r p ot r u sio n s a d d e d t o t h e e x is t in g f a b r ic. I t is u s u a l t o f in d I b r a him t a k in g c a r e of t h e g r e e n e r y, h elp e d by t h e li t t le in h a bi t a n t s of t h e h o u s e. D u r in g t h e s u m m e r m o n t h s , t h e bir d s c a g e c o m m o nl y f o u n d in in h a bi t a n t s h o u s e s a r e t r a n s f e r r e d in t his a r e a , a u g m e n t in g t h e s e n s e of ‘o a sis in c e m e n t ’ t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h e g a r d e n . T h e l a s t a r e a of B i o n d i g ra n d e o p e n - a ir s e q u e n c e of s p a c e s is t h e c hild r e n - c o u r t y a r d. T his s p a c e s t ill c o n s e r v e r t h e pl a y g r o u n d r ole i t c o v e r e d d u r in g Bio n di h o s t in g a c t i v i t y. T h e c hild r e n c o u r t y a r d, w hile e n s u r in g t h e m ajo r d e g r e e of p r i v a c y f o r i t s b ein g e y e - blin d f r o m t h e w in d o w s of t h e p a l a c e, is e x p o s e d t o t h e si g h t of t h e n ei g h b o u r in g b uildin g s . F o r t his r e a s o n , i t d o e s n ot r e p r e s e n t a s ui t a ble t h e a t r e f o r t h e c o m m o n li f e of in h a bi t a n t s t h a t , f el t o b s e r v e d, le a v e t h e c hild r e n t o b e t h e p r e d o min a n t s p a c e u s e r s . T h e f ir s t c o u r t y a r d c o n n e c t s , t h r o u g h a n in t e r io r c o r r id o r, t o t h e ‘b a c k y a r d’, a n o p e n a r e a a c c e s sible f r o m B i o n d i p i c c o l o. S t r ic t l y c o n n e c t e d t o t his a r e a’s g r o u n d f lo o r r e si d e n c e s , t his s p a c e is m a inl y u s e d f o r s m a ll g r o u p s r e u nio n s o r a s bik e p a r k in g. T h e p e rc e p t io n of t h e c o u r t y a r d s is a ls o a f f e c t e d by t h e b o r d e r s w hic h i d e n t i f y t h e m a s e n clo s u r e s . T h e b a c k y a r d is d elimi t e d, o n t h e m o s t i n t e r n a l si d e, f r o m a n a b a n d o n e d w a r e h o u s e of t h e

old g a r a g e M a rc h et ti , t h a t s h a d e s t h e a r e a a n d c o n t r ib u te s t o i t s d e c a d e n t p e rc e p t io n r e s p e c t t o t h e ot h e r h o u s e’s courtyards.

4.22

The back yard is the most intimate among

open spaces, due to its proximity to ground floor apar tments. Photo by G i ul ia Pa n tò, 2021 162

3 6 C f r. c h a p t e r 4 .1, O r i g i n o f void

163

E X- BIONDI: D A L L’O C C U PA Z I O N E A L L’O C C U PA R S I P ho t o gr aphic r ep or t age 4.23

Photographic

repor t age ‘E x- Biondi: d a l l ’o c c u p a z i o n e a l l ’o c c u p a r S I . P h o t o s b y Giulia Pantò

16 4

N e v e r a s in t his p e r io d w e u n d e r s t o o d t h e im p o r t a n c e of b ein g a ble t o i d e n t i f y a pl a c e a s h o m e. A s p a c e t h a t h a s a d o o r, t o b e o p e n e d o r clo s e d w h e n e v e r w e w a n t , w i t h w a lls t h a t d e si g n r o o m s s ui t e d t o o u r n e e d s , t o o u r d a il y r o u t in e; a pl a c e t o li v e. I n E n glis h , t h e w o r d h o m e h a s t w o m a in t r a n sl a t io n s: H O U S E a n d H O M E . H O U S E r e f e r s t o p h y sic a l s p a c e, w i t h i t s limi t s (w a lls) a n d i t s e n t r a n c e s (d o o r s), w hile H O M E in dic a t e s a n in h a bi t e d s p a c e t h a t d o e s n ot n e c e s s a r il y c o n sis t of w a lls o r d o o r s . I n I t a li a n , t his di f f e r e n t i a t io n d o e s n ot e x is t ; c ul t u r a ll y i t is di f f ic ul t f o r u s t o im a gin e. We m a y b e a ble t o im a gin e a H O U S E t h a t is n ot H O M E , a h o u s e in w hic h w e d o n ot f e el a t h o m e, b u t i t is di f f ic ul t t o t hin k of a pl a c e t h a t w e f e el h o m e a n d t h a t w e c a n n ot c a ll h o u s e; a h a l f h o u s e. Bio n di is a n e x a m ple of a n ' in c o m ple t e ' h o u s e: i t is a H O M E t h a t c a n n ot b e a H O U S E . T h e g o al of t his e ve nin g is to tell t h e h alf- h o u s e t h a t Bio n di r e p r e s e n t s . T h e H O M E e x is t s in t h e v a r io u s c o n f ig u r a t io n s in w hic h t h e d w ellin g h a s t a k e n s h a p e, s n e a k in g in t o t h e old r o o m s of t h e o r p h a n a g e, a d a p t in g t h e c h a p el o n t h e s e c o n d f lo o r t o a b e d r o o m f o r a n e n t ir e f a mil y (w i t h t h e s t o n e h ol y w a t e r f o n t n e x t t o t h e ni g h t t a ble), s h a r in g t h e f e w b a t h r o o m s in t h e b uildin g w i t h p e o ple c o min g f r o m di f f e r e n t p a r t s of t h e w o r ld ( ' w e d o n ' t h a v e h ot w a t e r, s o w e a r e m o r e li v el y t h a n e v e r yo n e ', l a u g h s L u d mil a , f r o m R u s si a , w h o s h a r e s a b a t h r o o m w i t h K e r im , w h o a r r i v e d f r o m M o r o c c o a n d is n e w in t h e h o u s e). E n t e r in g Bio n di ' s b uildin g is a jo u r n e y t o g e t o u t of t h e s t e r e ot y p e of o c c u p a t io n s . E v ic t io n s of f ici a ll y b e g a n o n J u n e 3 0, f ollo w in g t h e s t o p d u e t o t h e p a n d e mic lo c k d o w n . N ot b ein g a c o m ple t e

H O U S E r e p r e s e n t s a c o n t in u o u s t h r e a t of e v ic t io n . Bio n di is a p a r t ic ul a r c a s e of o c c u p a t io n , in w hic h t h e o w n e r ( U r s ulin e Sis t e r s) is w illin g t o di a lo g u e w i t h a ll t h e a c t o r s in v ol v e d. U n f o r t u n a t el y, Bio n di is n ot y e t a H O U S E , d u e t o b u r e a u c r a t ic c o m plic a t io n s . I n t im e s of c o v i d, w e c a n le a r n f r o m a f o r m of c olle c t i v e li v in g , w h e r e t h e r e is n o n e e d f o r a b a by si t t e r f o r t h e c hild r e n b e c a u s e ' t h e r e is a l w a y s s o m e o n e a t h o m e ', w h e r e t h e w o r d c o n t a m i n a t i o n ( M . B e r g o n z i, o p.ci t .) s t ill h a s a p o si t i v e m e a nin g , a s a n e xc h a n g e b e t w e e n c ul t u r e s a n d r e s p e c t i v e w a y s of in h a bi t in g s p a c e. E n t e r in g Bio n di ' s b uildin g(s) is lik e e m b a r k in g o n a jo u r n e y : t h e c a n a r i e s in M o u s t a f à ' s h o m e, I b r a him ' s l y r e, t h e s c e n t of l a u n d r y f r o m t h e c u r t a in s in L u d mil a ' s li v in g r o o m . T h e Bio n di is a h o u s e m a d e u p of m a n y h o m e s g a t h e r e d u n d e r t h e s a m e r o of. To ni g h t Bio n di o p e n s i t s d o o r s t o t ell a b o u t i t s el f a n d t o t ell t h a t , b e f o r e b ein g a n a b a n d o n e d o r o c c u pi e d s p a c e, t o d a y Bio n di is a H O M E . T h a n k s o n c e m o r e t o t h e in h a bi t a n t s f o r t h eir a v a il a bili t y, p a t i e n c e a n d h o s pi t a li t y. T h e q u ot a t io n s r e p o r t e d w e r e c olle c t e d b e t w e e n J a n u a r y a n d J ul y 2 0 2 1. T h e m a p pin g w o r k of t h e a p a r t m e n t s , e x t r a c t e d f r o m a t h e sis s t ill in p r o g r e s s , a im s t o g ui d e t h e e n t r y in t o Bio n di a s a H O M E , a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n t r e c o g ni t io n of i t s t e n a n t s a s I N H A B I TA N T S .

ABITANTI B O R G O S.DOMENICO 1 2 - 1 4

RETE PARMA

4 . 24

Associations who supported the research and the first event n a r r a t i n g E x - B i o n d i ’s r e a l i t y, 15 . 0 7. 2 0 2 1

165

‘[...] s e e k a n d l e a rn t o r e c o g n i ze wh o a n d wh a t , i n t h e m i d s t o f t h e i n f e rn o, a r e n o t i n f e rn o, t h e n m a k e t h e m e n d u r e, g i ve t h e m s p a c e .’

‘[...] c e r c a r e e s a p e r ri c o n o s c e r e c h i e c o s a, i n m ez zo a l l’i n f e rn o, n o n è i n f e rn o, e f a rl o d u r a r e, e d a rg l i s p az i o .’

C a l v i n o I . , L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , p . 16 0 t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W. , V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

INH A BI T ING VOIDS

INH A BI T ING VOIDS //

INFORMALIT Y AS CO-DESIGN Q uin t a M o n r oy, A . A r a v e n a + Ele m e n t a l To r r e D a v i d, U -T T Ci t è d u G r a n d P a rc, L a c a t o n &Va s s a l + D r u ot L a B o r d a , L a c ol

5.1

NEED OF PUBLIC SPACE S e w in g t h e blo c k : s y s t e m of o p e n s p a c e s E n t e r in g t h e blo c k : s y s t e m of e x is t in g v olu m e s

5. 2

NEED OF HOUSING Inhabiting as common living Inhabiting as bene comune

This chapter explores design project as a process, an establishment of a methodology that approaches architecture as spatial catalysator of recognized p o t e n t i a l i t i e s a n d s e we r o f r e g i s t e r e d f r a c t u r e s . T h e design of vacant spaces aims at a re-inser tion of O l t r e t o r r e n t e’s b l o c k i n a n u r b a n s y s t e m , t h r o u g h a n organization of spaces embracing the identified claims of citizens. More than looking for punctual solutions, the project aims to organize a spatial backbone that could suppor t a n i n t e r a c t i o n b e t we e n t h e d i f f e r e n t a c t o r s i d e n t i f i e d i n the neighbourhood. The reading of informal practices, a n d t h e c o n s e q u e n t a c k n ow l e d g i n g o f t h e i r c o m p l e x i t y, was oriented not only toward the registration of the v a r i o u s a c t i v i t i e s o n t h e a r e a , b u t , m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, focused on an understanding of the relations that occur among them. T he design pr oposal, s t ar t ing fr om t hese consider a t ions, r e - t h i n k s t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d a s a s p a t i a l n e t wo r k t h a t c o u l d c o r r e s p o n d t o i t s m u l t i p l e u s e r s a n d a l l ow f o r their collaboration. Vo i ds, w h i ch a r e i n d i ca t o r s o f p e r i ce n t r e’s d e g r ada t i o n, are re-inser ted in the cit y planning as strategical merging areas. Design of public spaces is not addressed to a singleus e r s, c o n t r a r i l y p r o m o t i n g c o n t a m i n a t i o n o f a c t i v i t i e s a n d a vo i d i n g t h e i n t e r m i t t e n t a c t i v a t i o n o f s p a c e s , a n ow a d ay s p r o b l e m o f t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d . The proposal of possible mixed-use spaces is the result of a multiscale and multidisciplinar y obser vation of the neighbourhood. On the other hand, housing problem is approached b e yo n d t h e ‘n e e d o f s h e l t e r ’, a s b o t h h o u s i n g a n d s o c i a l d e m a n d 1: c l a i m o f h o u s i n g i s t r a n s l a t e d i n t o v a r i a b i l i t y o f i n h a b i t i n g n u c l e i a n d f l e x i b i l i t y ove r t i m e, i n c l u d i n g incrementalit y as a design tool.2 Spaces are thought to open possibilit y to dif ferent relational grades, building a communit y together with houses.

1 K a t i a To r r i , i n t e r v i e w o f 09.03.22 2 A r a v e n a A ., I a c o b e l l i A ., Elemental. Incremental housing and participatory d e s i g n m a n u a l, H a t j e Cant z Verlag, Ost fildern, G e r m a n y, 2 0 12 , p . 14

169

INF OR M A L I T Y A S CO - DE SIGN The following pages illustrate 4 case studies which experiment informalit y as potential to include in a design processes.

C D B A

170

171

A QUIN TA MONR OY A . A R AV E N A + E L E M E N TA L

B T OR R E DAV ID U -T T ( U r b a n Th i n k Ta n k )

C CITÈ DU GR AND PA R C L A C AT O N & VA S S A L + DRUOT

D L A B OR DA LACOL

I n f o r m a l i t y, f o r a r c h i t e c t s a n d p l a n n e r s , c a n b e a f l o u r i s h i n g l a b o r a t o r y f o r i n n ov a t i o n , c o m m u n i c a t i n g at the same time problematics and potentialities of a g i ve n a r e a a n d o f t h e i n h a b i t i n g c o m m u n i t y. T h e s e s p a t i a l a c t i o n s a r e b o t h q u i c k a n swe r s t o u r g e n t n e e d s a n d c l a i m s o f a n i n c l u s i ve c i t y : w h e r e ‘ f o r m a l ’ u r b a n planning could not include spaces and requests, i n f o r m a l i t y c a n e x p e r i m e n t a r e u s e o f vo i d s. I n f o r m a l i t y b u i l d s t h e i m a g e o f a p o s s i b l e u r b a n i t y h av i n g h u m a n c a p i t a l a s r e s o u r c e, a n d n o t o n l y a s c o n s u m e r. The question that arises is, then, is informality a r c h i t e c t u r e? 3 I t i s a r c h i t e c t u r e w h e n i t b e c o m e s a process, including a long-term vision for a space and f o r a c o m m u n i t y, w h e n i t o v e r p a s s e s t h e s t a g e o f s u r v i v a l p r a c t i c e t o b e a n i n h a b i t i n g s t r a t e g y. These examples demonstrate dif ferent possibilities and stages of inclusion of informal practices to rei n s e r t t o r e - i n c l u d e t h e m i n t h e f o r m a l c i t y. W h e n informalit y is looked as par t of the solution, instead than par t of the problem, it configures as a catalogue o f r e s o u r c e s t o by c a n a l i z e d w i t h a d r aw i n g s t r a t e g y. 4 To i n c l u d e i n f o r m a l i t y i n t o a f o r m a l d e s i g n p r o c e s s does not correspond to forcibly denaturalize these spontaneous practices, but rather to subtract them from legal, social, spatial, and political insecurities that come with their intrinsic precariousness. ‘ I n f o r m a l i z i n g’ a r c h i t e c t u r e 5 , r a t h e r t h a n ‘ f o r m a l i z i n g’ slums, including the incremental thinking as a p o t e n t i a l i t y a n d h u m a n a s a r e s o u r c e. The repor ted case studies share the conception of d e s i g n p r o j e c t a s a p r o c e s s: t h e a r c h i t e c t a s s u m e s t h e r o l e o f m o d e r a t o r b e t w e e n t o p - d ow n a n d b o t t o m - u p a p p r o a c h e s 6. B y r e a d i n g , m a p p i n g a n d o r g a n i z i n g a l l t h e f o r c e s i n p l ay, a r c h i t e c t b e c o m e s t h e d e s i g n e r o f methodologies of actions. The design field is expanded to legal, social, economic, and political issues, in w h i c h ‘a r c h i t e c t s b e c o m e i d e n t i f i e d b y t h e s t y l e o f t h e i r t h i n k i n g m o r e t h a n t h e s t y l e o f t h e i r b u i l d i n g .’ 7

3 B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., A l f r e d o Brillembourg, min. 6.0 0. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m / w a t c h ? v=U J X t O 0 P4 W Q E 4 A r a v e n a A ., V i v i e n d a y Ciudad. Conversación c o n A l e j a n d r o A r a v e n a, A r q u i n e , 2 0 19 , m i n . 15 . 0 0

Av a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m/ 5 D o v e y K ., I n f o r m a l i z i n g architecture: the challenge of informal set tlements in Architectural Design, N o v e m b e r 2 0 13 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. r e s e a r c h g a t e . n e t / p u b l i c a t i o n / 2 5 9 5 3 4711 _ Informalising _ Architecture _ The _ Challenge _ of _ Informal _ Settlements 6 B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., A l f r e d o B r i l l e m b o u r g , o p . c i t ., m i n . 6.00 7 D o v e y K . o p . c i t ., p . 9

173

QUIN TA MONROY, A . A R AV EN A + EL EMEN TA L

5 .1

Picture of project and self-built ex teriors of Q u i n t a M o n r o y. h t t p s :// arquitectura viva.com/

works/viviendas- quintam o n r o y -1 5.2

Pictures (in following p a g e s) s h o w i n g t h e informal increment allowed by Element al p r o j e c t . h t t p s :// arquitectura viva.com/

works/viviendas- quinta174

m o n r o y -1

I n t e r v e n t i o n: d e s i g n p r o j e c t

D a t e: 2 0 01-2 0 0 4

L o c a t i o n: I q u i q u e, Ch i l e

S t a t e: r e a l i z e d

8 A r a v e n a A ., I a c o b e l l i A ., o p . c i t ., p . 14 9 I v i , p . 17 10 ‘ C a n w e m a k e b u i l d i n g s where oppor tunities are?’ i n A r a v e n a A ., V i v i e n d a y Ciudad. Conversación con A l e j a n d r o A r a v e n a, o p . c i t ., min. 20.00 11 A r a v e n a A ., I a c o b e l l i A ., o p . c i t ., p . 18

5.3

Diagrams demonstrating the strategy of incremental housing. h t t p s :// a r q u i t e c t u r a v i v a . com/works/viviendasq u i n t a - m o n r o y -1

176

Elemental studio experimented a new approach to the problem of social housing in Chile, involving informalit y as available incremental potential. As fir st step, the studio under lines the impor t ance of rooting the real question behind the housing need.8 To t h i s m e a n , t h e r e a s o n s f o r i n f o r m a l s q u a t t e r i n Ch i l e h a s b e e n i n ve s t i g a t e d i n p u b l i c h o u s i n g p o l i c i e s . The scarcit y of investment in means corresponded the t wo public policies of reducing and displacing: housing solutions tent to be built on cheaper lands, d i s c o n n e c t e d p e r i p h e r i e s m a r g i n a l i s e d b y c i t y ’s o p p o r t u n i t i e s . M o r e ove r, a n o t h e r e c o n o m i c s t r a t e g y a d o p t e d t o a u g m e n t s h e l t e r q u a n t i t y p r ov i s i o n i s t h e reduction of housing sur face. Informalit y manifests a reaction to the un-listened need of bigger living u n i t s , w i t h s e l f- b u i l t e x p a n s i o n o f t e n c h a r a c t e r i z e d by precarious structures and unhealth conditions. Elemental strategy consisted of shif ting the same economic availability by question-and-qualityo r i e n t e d i nve s t m e n t s: w h e n ava i l a b i l i t y i s n o t su f f i ci e n t t o p r o d u c e a g o o d - s i z e h o u s e, t h e a l t e r n a t i ve t o s m a l l units is the construction of half of a good-size one. Incremental housing includes informalit y ad resource for housing development, instead of a problem to solve.9 Under this principle, economic funds can be d i r e c t e d t o we l l - l o c a t e d s o i l 10 , by m a k i n g h o u s i n g ‘a s i n ve s t m e n t a n d n o t a s m e r e s o c i a l e x p e n s e’. 11

17 7

T OR R E DAV ID U -T T (U r b a n T h i n k T a n k )

I n t e r v e n t i o n: r e s e a r c h a n d r e f u r b i s h m e n t p r o j e c t L o c a t i o n: C a r a c a s , Ve n e z u e l a D a t e: 2 011-2 015 S t a t e: v i d e o d o c u m e n t a r y a n d r e s e a r c h p u b l i c a t i o n

5.4

To r r e D a v i d ( p i c t u r e i n

c u r r e n t p a g e) i s b e c o m i n g and unwanted landmark of abandonment for the c i t y o f C a r a c a s . h t t p s :// i . p i n i m g . c o m / 5 6 4 x / 71/ e d / d 9 / 71e d d 9 a 6 9 6 4 f d 0 8 f 0 a f a 6 4 c 87 b c7 f 0 f 4 . j p g 5.5

Building occupation, along time, moved from pure residential shelter

to development of small commercial activities. To e n d o c c u p a t i o n w o u l d impact also the circular economy grew aroud it. Pictures showing the life inside the building (images in following p a g e s) . h t t p s :// w w w. d e z e e n . c o m / 2 0 12 / 0 9 / 0 1/ w h y - s h o u l d - t h e - p o o rlive- in- the- slums- ifthere- are- empt y- of ficetowers- in- the- cit y- asks178

justin-mcguirk/

18 0

I n C a r a c a s , 5 5% o f p o p u l a t i o n l i ve s i n b a rri o s, i n f o r m a l se t t l emen t s occupy ing 3 3.5% o f t he ci t y’s a r ea . 12 Ba sing on the belief that ‘informal’ does not mean ‘without f o r m’, U -T T d e s i g n g r o u p e n t e r e d C a r a c a s’ i n f o r m a l under world to understand and propose it as urban l a b o r a t o r y f o r p l a n n i n g a n d a r c h i t e c t u r a l i n n ov a t i o n . 13 A m o n g t h e s e s t u d i e s , To r r e D a v i d i s a n e x a m p l e o f h o u s i n g c l a i m e x p r e s s e d t h r o u g h i n f o r m a l i t y. T h e To rre i s a 4 5 - s t o r e y s k e l e t o n o f a n u n f i n i s h e d o f f i c e building in the core of Caracas, whose construction w a s a b a n d o n e d w i t h d e ve l o p e r ’s d e a t h a n d Ve n e z u e l a n e c o n o m i c c r i s i s i s 19 9 4. A f t e r a d e c a d e, i n 2 0 07, 10 0 0 families occupied the building transforming it into a ve r t i c a l s l u m . 14 I n 2 0 12 , U -T T, s u p p o r t e d b y r e s e a r c h g r o u p s a n d residents, documented this informal squat ter as e x a m p l e o f ‘a d a p t i ve r e u s e o f e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e’: f a r m f r o m a r o m a n t i c v i s i o n o f i n f o r m a l i t y, t h e r e s e a r c h i s oriented on a value-detecting cataloguing, flowing i n t o a c o n s c i o u s d e s i g n e d p r o p o s a l . 15 T h e o c c u p a n t s e n t e r e d t h e b u i l d i n g by n e e d - s h a p i n g a n d d i v i d i n g s p a c e s , c h a r g i n g i t n o t o n l y w i t h s h e l t e rclaim, but also with the creation of sustainable m i c r o e c o n o m i e s . To r r e D a v i d b e c a m e a n o v e r a l l infrastructure suppor ting private and communitarian life of occupants. I n 2 014, Ve n e z u e l a n g ove r n m e n t e x e c u t e d t h e e v i c t i o n of all the residents, by moving families on social h o u s i n g i n t h e o u t s k i r t s o f t h e c i t y 16 , l e a v i n g t h e t owe r e m p t y a n d i n i n c r e a s i n g d e c a d e. 17 I n E u r o p e, t o d e a l w i t h d e s e - b u i l t c i t i e s a n d h o u s i n g problems of ten corresponds to face inequalities of

12 B r ill e m b o u r g A ., K l u m p n e r H ., R u l e s o f Engagement: Caracas and the Informal City i n H e r n á n d e z F., K e ll e t P., A ll e n L . K ., o p . c i t ., p . 13 3 13 I v i , p . 13 4 14 U -T T, To r r e D a v i d , A r c h i v e a v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // ut tdesign.com /archive/ buildings / torre- david 15 K a l l i p o l i t i L ., To r r e D a v i d / G r a n H o r i z o n t e, i n J o u r n a l o f A r c h i t e c t u r a l E d u c a t i o n, v o l . 6 7, n .1, M a r c h 2 0 13 , p p . 15 9 -16 1

Av a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. j s t o r. o r g/ 16 T h e s o c a l l e d ‘ O p e r a t i o n Z a m o r a 2 0 14’ s a w t h e relocation of occupants in Cúa, south of Caracas. A A . V V., Ve n e z u e l a’s To r r e D a v i d: f r o m v e r t i c a l s l u m t o g h o s t t o w e r, To d a y V e n e z u e l a , 2 0 18 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// t o d a y v e n e z u e l a . c o m/2 018/10 /14/ venezuelas- torre- davidfrom-vertical-slum- tog h o s t- t o w e r/ 17 I n a u g u s t 2 0 18 , s o m e s t o r e y s of the tower have been damaged by ear thquake. Ibidem

181

CI T È DU GR A ND PA RC, L AC AT ON & VA S S A L + DRUO T

5.6

Facade inter vention

impacted the perception of ex terior spaces and enhanced ‘life between b u i l d i n g s’. P i c t u r e i n the following page from: h t t p s :// a f a s i a a r c h z i n e . c o m / 2 0 17/ 0 4 / l a c a t o n v a s s a l -17/ 5.7

Pictures (in the

f o l l o w i n g p a g e s) s h o w i n g light income increment and social impact derived from the facade i n t e r v e n t i o n . h t t p s :// w w w. lacatonvassal.com/index. 182

p h p? i d p= 8 0 #

I n t e r v e n t i o n: d e s i g n p r o j e c t

D a t e: 2 017

L o c a t i o n: B o r d e a u x , F r a n c e

S t a t e: r e a l i z e d

18 L a c a t o n & V a s s a l , Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n o f 5 3 0 dwellings, block G, H, I. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. lac atonv a ss al.com / index . p h p ? i d p=8 0 # 19 S l e s s o r C ., R e u s e - R a b i l l é in Architects Journal, U K , 2 0 19 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. l a c a t o n v a s s a l . c o m/d a t a / 20 Announcement, The Prizker P r i c e 2 0 2 1: A n n e L a c a t o n and Jean- Philippe Vass al Receive the 2021 Pritzker Architecture Prize. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s : // w w w. p r i t z k e r p r i z e . c o m / laureates/anne-lacatonand-jean-philippe-vass al

2 1 A r e ll a n o T., L a C i t e d u G r a n d P a r c: L a c a t o n & Va s s a l , 2 0 21 A v a il a b l e a t : h t t p s:// w w w. i l u m i n e t . c o m/c i t e - d ug r a n d - p a r c/ 2 2 ‘A f o r- u s e h o u s i n g cooperative means, b a s i c a l l y, t h a t t h e cooperative ows the building, and the people who lives there are members of the c o o p e r a t i v e .’ G a m b o a C ., M a s s o n i P. i n t e r v i e w e d for Lacol arquitectura cooperativa. La Borda: v i s i t a a r q u i t e c t o n i c a. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p:// w w w. l a b o r d a . c o o p/e n/p r o j e c t / architectural-project/

18 4

per ipher ies. T he in ter ven t ion of L acaton & Vassal a n d D r u o t a i m s t o r e - e q u i l i b r a t e s o c i a l d i s p a r i t i e s by architecturally enhancing living standards of 3 social housing buildings to high-class residences. B u i l t i n 19 6 0 s , t h e s e f a b r i c s a r e p a r t o f a 4 0 0 0 d we l l i n g complex ten-minutes-tram distant from the city c e n t r e o f B o r d e a u x . 18 T h e a r c h i t e c t s o p p o s e t o F r e n c h g ove r n m e n t i n i t i a t i ve o f d e m o l i s h i n g M o d e r n i s t b l o c k s ( g ra n d e n s a m b l e s), by r e c o g n i z i n g t h e i r p o t e n t i a l i t i e s a n d t h e e c o n o m y b e h i n d t h e i r i m p r ove m e n t . 19 U p g r a d i n g o f l i v i n g q u a l i t y wa s t r a n s l a t e d , i n B o r d e a u x , in additional space provision, reached by adding a self-standing structure to the existing complexes, that suppor ts large wintergardens and balconies. The a d d i t i o n s t r a t e g y c o n t r i b u t e s t o i m p r ove m a r g i n a l i z e d areas by broadening the dialogue bet ween new and e x i s t i n g: t h e ‘n e v e r d e m o l i s h’ a p p r o a c h o f L a c a t o n Va s s a l o p e n t h e p os si b i l i t y o f sus t a i na b l e a n d e co n o m i c i n t e r ve n t i o n s o r i e n t e d t ow a r d s a r c h i t e c t u r e a s s o c i a l s e r v i c e. 2 0 A c c o r d i n g t o t h e a r c h i t e c t s , a g o o d a r c h i t e c t u r e, m o r e than constructing, should allow the development of h u m a n a c t i v i t i e s . 21 I n f o r m a l i t y i s i n t e r i o r i z e d b o t h a s par t of design in the undefinition of additions, as open or closed areas, and in their flexibilit y of use, and as desired outcome, for spaces implementation and exploration of possibilities. L a B o r d a i s a ‘ f o r- u s e h o u s i n g c o o p e r a t i ve’ 2 2 b u i l t i n 2 018 a n d b o r d e r i n g w i t h t h e i n d u s t r i a l a r e a C a n B a t t l ò.

18 5

L A BOR DA , L ACOL

I n t e r v e n t i o n: d e s i g n p r o j e c t

D a t e: 2 018

L o c a t i o n: B a r c e l o n a ,S p a i n

S t a t e: r e a l i z e d

5.8

Common spaces are included in building planning, becoming also a way to experiment hybrid areas between inside and outside. Picture f r o m : h t t p s :// w w w. a r c h d a i l y. c o m / 9 2 2 18 4 / la- borda- lacol?ad _ m e d i u m= g a l l e r y

5.9

Distribution inside the building is organized around a central court, core of the community life of inhabit ants. Pictures in the following p a c e s f r o m : h t t p s :// w w w. a r c h d a i l y. c o m / 9 2 2 18 4 / la- borda- lacol?ad _ m e d i u m= g a l l e r y

187

18 8

T h e i d e a w a s c o n c e i ve d i n 2 012, ye a r o f o c c u p a t i o n o f t h e i n d u s t r i a l s i t e by t h e r e s i d e n t s o f t h e a r e a : t h e r e, from a group of citizens, the problem of housing was a p p r o a c h e d w i t h t h e s t r a t e g y o f h o u s i n g c o o p e r a t i ve. I n 2 014, B a r c e l o n a Ci t y C o u n c i l a l l owe d a 75 - p u b l i c land concession for the community to build this housing experiment: the building consists of 28 living units and 280 sqm of common spaces, developed through par ticipator y design to mee t inhabi t an t s’ r e q u i r e m e n t s . 23 La Borda is experimenting the ex tends of architecture b o t h o n so ci a l l eve l, by r e g u l a t i n g sp ace s a n d m ove m e n t t h r o u g h t h e b u i l d i n g i n p r i v a t e - c o m m o n - p u b l i c f l ow 24 , a n d o n e n e r g e t i c e f f i c i e n c y, b y r e d u c i n g m a t e r i a l impact and concentrating common areas on the southside or in the higher floors, benefiting best natural illumination. The circulation through the building is organized around a central cour t yard, allowing for p r o m i s c u o u s i n h a b i t a n t s’ i n t e r a c t i o n . Apar tments are composed of a base unit of 40 s q m t h a t c a n g r o w s i d e w a y, e n g l o b i n g o t h e r u n i t s a l i g n e d t o f a m i l i e s’ n e e d s . 25 L a B o r d a e x p e r i m e n t s informalit y in the par ticipator y design of the project and by embracing flexibilit y as a promoting aspect: t h e n e e d - d r i ve n u n d e f i n i t i o n o f i n f o r m a l s e t t l e m e n t i s organized through designed, that becomes expression of possible scenarios.

23 Ibidem 24 G r o u n d f l o o r i s o p e n e d to the public through a cooperative shop and other activities, interacting with neighbourhood street life. O t t a C ., L a B o r d a / L a c o l, A r c h d a i l y, 2 0 18 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. a r c h d a i l y. c o m/ 9 2 218 4/l a - b o r d a lacol 2 5 G a m b o a C ., M a s s o n i P. inter viewed for Lacol arquitectura cooperativa. La Borda: visita arquitectonica, op. cit.

189

5.1 NEED OF P UBL I C SPACE

7. INHABITING

VOIDS AS PUBLIC GR

26 Laboratorio Urbano Oltretorrente allowed to collect inter views with dif ferent associations active in the neighbourhood. 27 Inter view to Emilio from CIAC association. L aboratorio Urbano Oltretorrente, 12 . 0 2 . 2 0 2 1

5 .10

A xonometric view of the project block with

strategy-steps for public 19 0

spaces

Oltretorrente, as result of heterogeneous m o vh a l oi fc l a th e r a dc d i ta i o nu s fs r o me d a s e r i e s u n - p l a n n e d t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s roerw iginary building nucleus o f ‘ v o i d s ’, o w n s a c o n s t e l l a t i o n o f p o s s i b l e u r b a n scenarios that, if disposed in a system, could become t h e a t r e f o r p u b l i c l i f e. u n i f yci i n g vte izens, r t ic a l ci r c ul a t i collec on T he necessi t y of t he ted wi t h in ter views 2 6 , flew in the ar ticulation of a cultural space allowing f o r ‘g a t h e r i n g’ o ne m pdt y iin fg sft aei r wreell n t l e ve l s . T h e vo i d b e c o m e s the spatial device to suppor t a sequence of dif ferent ‘g a t h e r i n g s p a c e s’, c l a i m e d by t h e c o m m u n i t y. I n t e r v i e w s a r o sco ofeuhr t-o rbiatzsohendt saeyl sct ei mrncaut ilezaattieioo nnd o f ‘ n e u t r a l s p a c e s ’, ‘c o l l e c t i ve s p a c e s’, ‘s p a c e s w h e r e t o s t ay ’, ‘p a u s e s’: t h e s e d e f i n i t i o n s so ftcrpurocetvuri or rau lsesr etsai inrpfcoarosceesnmvedo ni dt t o a m u l t i t u d e o f p l a c e s and technical compar tment o r t o a p l a c e w h i ci nhs e r t ci o na n a s s u m e a m u l t i t u d e o f v a l u e s . Among the different claims, it appeared the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e n e e d e d ‘a g g r e g a t i o n s p a c e s’ w i t h a ‘r e f e r e n c e s p a c e’ 2 7 : c i t i z e n s c l a i m e d a s p a c e h o s t i n g m u l t i p l e a c t i v i t i evosi d stohf liag h tt c o u l d n o t o n l y a c c o m p l i s h t h e needs of dif ferent actors, but that could also become height increment a recognizable place for its inhabitants.

MASTER PLAN

VOIDS

ROUND

removal of volumes that are restricting the access to the warehouses

removal of access gate limits of the park as potential relational spaces through the a d di t i o n o f g a t h e r i n g d e v ic e s

opening volume C to create an axis with Ex-Biondi

create another por tico to mark the new park access from Via d e ll a S a lu t e

inte r n al dis t rib u tio n culmin a tin g in a central stage

n e w c o v e r i n g: a lu m i n i u m p a n e l s a n d p ol yc a r b o n a t e + l a y e r i n g o f e x i s t i n g t il e s i n v o lu m e C

truss-frames: structural reinforcement and functional support

191

T h e s t r a t e g y m ove s f r o m a r e a d i n g o f n e i g h b o u r h o o d heterogeneous unit y of claims, inside its complex d i ve r s i t y, p r o p o s i n g a s y s t e m o f o p e n s p a c e s a n d a n e w p e r m e a b i l i t y o f t h e b l o c k . F o r t h i s p u r p o s e, t h e d e s i g n focuses on the definition of accesses, limits, and vo i d s , r e o r g a n i z i n g t h e r e l a t i o n s b e t we e n t h e d i f f e r e n t pieces composing the hybrid block. By changing the relationship among urban elements, public space experiments dif ferent conditions of permeabilit y and suggest possible and unpredictable unfolding of public l i f e. 2 8 The project is conceived as a series of interlocking ac t i o ns t ha t co ul d ac t i va t e a cha i n e f fe c t , ex p e r i m e n t i n g a new crossing of the block: the heterogeneit y of the b l o c k , t o d ay c a u s i n g i t s i n t e r n a l f r a c t u r e s , b e c o m e s t h e p r e c o n d i t i o n t o we l c o m e t h e h e t e r o g e n e i t y o f i t s i n h a b i t a n t s . D i f f e r e n t a c t i v i t i e s a r e l aye r e d o v e r t h e spaces through the suppor t given by a flexible, rea d a p t e d a n d r e - h a b i l i t a t i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u r e. U r b a n d e s i g n i s d i s p l a y e d a s a b r i d g e p r a c t i c e 29 , t h a t c o n s i d e r s d i f f e r e n t a c t o r s a n d ‘c o n f i g u r e a n d r e c o n f i g u r e’ i t s e l f a s a n o p e n a n d p l a s t i c p r a c t i c e. 3 0

28 ‘Dispositivi architet tonici che predispongono u n’a z i o n e , c h e r i m a n e i m p r e v e d i b i l e .’ R o s s i A . A u t o b i o g r a f i a S c i e n t i f i c a, o p . c i t ., p . 4 2 29 Rahul Mehrotra, The limits of u r b a n d e s i g n, o p . c i t . m i n . 1. 0 0 192

30 Ibidem

193

Sew ing t he blo ck : sy s t em o f op en spaces

social cafè

multicultural kitchen workshops

stages and exhibitions areas

community orchards

local market

playground

resting spots

-1.5

-1.5 -2

-1.5

+0.6

Accesses

ro o f c o r r u g a te d s te el r o of in g w a te r in s ul a t io n s te el r a f te r s a n d p u r lin s

5 .11

t rus s re i n fo rc e m e n t wo o d s elf s t a n din g t r u s s s y s te m lig h t s y s te m e x p o si t io n s u p p o r t

masterplan, promoting a variet y of public activities and actors on site

5 .12

Cross section showing warehouses facade and the new access from Via della S alute

31 SeeGlossar y:voidasabsence assumes the existence of a d e f i n i n g ‘ p l a i n’ o r ‘ l i m i t ’ SCALE 1:50

SCALE 1:100

Accessibilit y is the precondition for the reading of a space as public, it remarks the address of the user and invites for its living and signification. The design proposal explores a sequence of public spaces to enhance the potentialities of each of them. A p u b l i c s p a c e p e r c e i ve d a s s o, w i t h a c c e s s e s i n s t e a d o f g a t e s , r e g u l a t e d by s p a c e s a n d n o t by t i m e. Allow the ri-significance of the existing by allowing i t s a c c e s s i b i l i t y. H o w t o g i v e b a c k t o t h e c i t i z e n s a s p a c e w h i c h n e v e r b e l o n g e d t o t h e c i t y - i m a g e? The abandoned volumes are perceived as a faded background to the public park when approaching the block from Viale dei Mille, and as a fracture when walk ing in V ia della Salu te: the same archi tectur al object is limit and void. This dualistic opposition, c o n t a i n e d i n t h e s a m e c o n c e p t o f v o i d 3 1, r e s u l t s i n disoriented perception of the block unit y from the c i t i z e n s: i n o t h e r w o r d s , p e o p l e d o e s n o t r e c o g n i z e t h e ‘ vo i d ’ ( i n V i a d e l l a S a l u t e) a n d t h e ‘ l i m i t ’ ( i n t h e p u b l i c p a r k ) t o b e g e n e r a t e d by t h e s a m e f a b r i c. ro o f e x is t in g t ile s r e pl ac e m e n t w a te r in s ul a t io n s te el r a f te r s a n d p u r lin s

t rus s re i n fo rc e m e n t s te el t ie - r o d s r ein fo rcin g e x is t in g trusses lig h t s y s te m

The park

co u r ya rd f a c a d e alucobond p a nels (aluminium c o m p o si te m a te r i al) f i x in g s s te el s u p p o r t in g s t r uc t u r e w e a t h e r b a r r ie r t h e r m al in s ul a t io n in te r n al w all

stage

The existing park is transformed from a gated green area to a crossable public space. Its enclosure and s i g h t- c o n ve r g e n c y, r e s u l t i n g f r o m i t s l o c a t i o n i n t h e

exposition area

s o ci a l c a f è

b l o c k ’s c o r e , i s p l a c e d i n a s y s t e m w i t h t h e s i d i n g abandoned warehouses. The three constructions pass from being a scenography background to embody the f o c u s i n t e r e s t p o i n t i n v i t e d by t h e p a r k m o r p h o l o g i c a l features. The resolution of the park geometr y corresponds to an o p e n i n g o f i t s o f f e r o n a s o c i a l g r o u n d: a s g a t h e r i n g space on multiple levels it overpasses the role of p l ayg r o u n d a n d b e a t t r a c t i ve f o r a w i d e r c o m m u n i t y. The core location of the park, preser ving the green a r e a f r o m c a r- l i n k e d p r o b l e m a t i c s ( b o t h o f p h y s i c a l a n d a u d i t i ve n a t u r e) c a n n ow a c c o m p l i s h t h e r e l a t i o n a l s t a g e r o l e a s k e d b y O l t r e t o r r e n t e’s i n h a b i t a n t s . P e r c e i v e d s e c u r i t y, a p l a c e t o g a t h e r a n d m u l t i a c t i v i t i e s s p a c e 32 c a n f i n d t h e i r d i f f e r e n t t r a n s l a t i o n s in the renewed public park, synergically dialoguing w i t h t h e n e w c u l t u r a l p o l e. The Garage The dismissed Garage Marchet ti constituted, in the n e i g h b o u r h o o d i m a g i n a r y, a ‘ b l a c k h o l e’, a vo i d r e a d y t o b e f i l l e d by a f u t u r e p r i v a t e i n ve s t o r. T h e i n t e r ve n t i o n i n t h e t h r e e e x i s t i n g vo l u m e s a i m e d a t e x p l o r i n g a n a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e ‘ f i l l i n g’, t h a t c o u l d p r e s e r v e a n d a c t i v a t e t h e vo i d . I n a d e n s e l y b u i l t a r e a as Oltretorrente is, inhabitants marked the need for s o m e ‘ p a u s e s’ i n t h e u r b a n t i s s u e . F o r t h i s r e a s o n , the material actions are oriented to a redefinition of vo i d , a p r e s e r v a t i o n o f vo i d t h r o u g h t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f its limits. ramp

market area

32 Sur veys collected through multiple inter views during Laboratorio Urbano Oltretorrente, guided by the cultural association Manifattura Urbana, 2020-21

HUB

En t ering t he blo ck : sy s t em o f ex is t ing volumes Volu m e A

5 .13

Cross section . Volumes interior is defined by ramp-stage circulation and by the structural and functional role of new truss system

T h e s h o r t e r vo l u m e w a s a l r e a d y s u bj e c t e d t o s e ve r a l m o d i f i c a t i o n s , d u e t o i t s a d a p t a t i o n a s g a r a g e, w i t h l a t e r a l a c c e s s , a n d , a t t h e h i g h e r f l o o r, a s t e r r a c e access for the residential area. The recess respect to the flanking pitched volumes make it suitable for a lateral independent access. This a s p e c t , a d d e d t o t h e r e d u c e d o p e n i n g s a v a i l a b i l i t y, suggested the rethinking of the interiors as an exposition area, benefiting of a controlled lighting and of the autonomous access. F r o m t h e co l l e c t e d i n t e r v i ews w i t h t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d’s residents, it emerged how the impor tant historical background of Oltretorrente lacked a collecting place where this identit y could manifest and be transmit ted. The impor tance of identif ying a significant place inside t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d ’s b o r d e r s s t u m b l e d , a t f i r s t , i n t h e

ro o f c o r r u g a te d s te el r o of in g w a te r in s ul a t io n s te el r a f te r s a n d p u r lin s

t rus s re i n fo rc e m e n t wo o d s elf s t a n din g t r u s s s y s te m lig h t s y s te m e x p o si t io n s u p p o r t

ro o f e x is t in g t ile s r e pl ac e m e n t w a te r in s ul a t io n s te el r a f te r s a n d p u r lin s

t rus s re i n fo rc e m e n t s te el t ie - r o d s r ein fo rcin g e x is t in g trusses lig h t s y s te m

stage

s o ci a l c a f è

exposition area

SCALE 1:50

‘n o t a v a i l a b l e - s p a c e’ s t i g m a s h a r e d by h i s t o r i c a l c i t y centres. Never theless, a deeper reading of the area a r o s e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e s a m e vo i d s, n o w a d a y s f r a g m e n t i n g a u n i t a r i a n i d e n t i t y, c o u l d b e c o m e d e ve l o p i n g n o d e s f o r a n e e d - o r i e n t e d p l a n n i n g . The exposition area is thought to function synergically w i t h t h e c u l t u r a l c e n t r e, t o b e c o m e a b r e a t h i n g l u n g f o r O l t r e t o r r e n t e’s v i v i d e n v i r o n m e n t . To t h i s a i m , i n t e r i o r s a r e a p p r o a c h e d t h r o u g h a s e n s i t i ve r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e existing truss frame, to incorporate in the narration t h e m o s t r e c e n t i n d u s t r i a l p a s t o f t h e b u i l d i n g .33 The internal void of the industrial compar tment is r h y t h m i s e d w i t h e x p o s i t i o n e l e m e n t s: t h e a d d i t i o n s a r e c o m p l e t i n g t h e s t r e n g t h e n i n g s t r u c t u r a l i n t e r ve n t i o n s o f t h e r o o f ’s t i m b e r s , t h u s i n s e r t i n g a d i s p o s a l t h a t bridges the industrial past of the warehouse with the n e w l y r e q u i r e d e x h i b i t i o n r o l e.

3 3 R e f e r e n c e p r o j e c t : B+P Architects, The inverted t r u s s, Ta i p e i , Ta i w a n , 2 0 16

ramp

market area

Volu m e B

34 Aldo Rossi, in Autobiografia S c i e n t i f i c a (o p . c i t ., p . 4 8 - 51), f o c u s e s o n t h e r e l a t i o n i n t e r i o rex terior in architecture, bringing repor ting the image of confessionals and small chapels inside B asilic as and kiosks in covered markets. These examples synthesize how markets and basilic as are conceived as covered p a r t s o f t h e c i t y, i n w h i c h the fluidit y of street-life continues, uninterrupted, i t s f l o w. A s i m i l a r i m a g e i s searched with the inser tion of an comprehensible v o l u m e (s t a g e) i n s i d e a bigger and more complex 200

o n e (c e n t r a l w a r e h o u s e).

T h e c e n t r a l vo l u m e i s t r e a t e d a s a p r o s e c u t i o n o f t h e p u b l i c p a r k i n a c ove r e d a r e a . T h e p e r m e a b l e f a ç a d e a l l ow s l i g h t p e n e t r a t i o n a n d aw a r e n e s s o f t h e a c t i v i t i e s t a k i n g p l a c e o n t h e i n s i d e, f a c i l i t a t i n g t h e p e r c e p t i o n o f t h e vo l u m e a s a l a r g e vo i d c ove r e d a r e a . From the central access, the sight can run through t h e e n t i r e vo l u m e, g e n t l y s t o p p e d , a t t h e f a r e n d , by a wo o d e n s t a g e. A s a n o u t s i d e t e m p o r a r y i n t e r ve n t i o n , t h e s t a g e wo r k s a s l i g h t i n s t a l l a t i o n , w i t h t h e d o u b l e function creating a pause in the open space and a s e c o n d f r a m e o f ‘c o n s t r u c t i o n i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n’ 3 4 , hosting beneath ser vices. The basement leaves the freedom to become both a st age and a steeped audi tor ium. A log-span ramp, s t a r t i n g o n t h e o u t s i d e o f t h e v o l u m e C, g u a r a n t e e s a n ove r a l l f r u i t i o n o f t h e e l e v a t e d s p a c e. As for the t wo flanking volumes, the inter vention assumes a truss frame reinforcement, in this case metal-made to cover the bigger span, incorporating an ar tificial lighting system. The existing roof tiling is restored and re-leaned on the new bat tens. Volu m e C The volume on the lef t is the junction bet ween the c o r e o f t h e b l o c k- a n d o f t h e p u b l i c l i f e i n i t - a n d t h e r e s i d e n t i a l a r e a o f E x- B i o n d i . Inside t his volume, t he di f feren t user s’ flu xes ar e r e d i r e c t e d a n d f i l t e r e d t h r o u g h t h e r a m p: d e l i m i t i n g t h e o u t s i d e s p a c e i n f r o n t o f t h e vo l u m e, t h e r a m p e m b r a c e s t h e w h o l e s p a n o f t h e w a r e h o u s e t o f l ow i n t o t h e s t a g e with a final round. For all its course, it displays as a promenade on the multiple activities taking place o n t h e g r o u n d f l o o r, h o s t i n g m a r k e t s , a s s e m b l i e s o r a s s o c i a t i o n’s t a b l e s , w i t h t h e p o s s i b i l i t y t o s e p a r a t e f r o m t h e c e n t r a l o p e n e d vo l u m e t h o u g h f o l d i n g d o o r s . The ramp enters frontally in the building, helping the inser tion of the structural truss frame to dialogue with t h e i r r e g u l a r g e o m e t r y o f t h e w a r e h o u s e. T h e vo l u m e

c, dif ferently from the previous ones, presents an increasing span to compensate the interstitial plot l e f t by t h e s u r r o u n d i n g G o t h i c l o t s . To p r e s e r ve t h e g e o m e t r y o f t h e s t r u c t u r a l f r a m e a n d t h e r h y t h m o f t h e g r o u n d f l o o r, t h e r a m p m a n a g e s t h e span increase, thus enlarging itself to complete the volume. The ramp closes a system, lef t open by the n e c e s s a r y ’s d e m o l i t i o n s 3 5 , a n d b e c o m e s t h e g a t e w ay f o r a n o t h e r, h e l p i n g t h e a r t i c u l a t i o n o f p u b l i c l i f e in the residen tial E x-Biondi. The new directionali t y a n d c r o s s i n g o f t h e b l o c k a r e u n d e r l i n e d by a c h a n g e i n t h e c o v e r i n g ’s t r a n s p a r e n c y, w i t h a d i r e c t l i g h t i l l u m i n a t i n g t h e e l e v a t e d p a t h w ay. Once it reaches the height of the stage, the ramp b e h a ve s a s a n a r c h e d p o r t a l , f i l t e r i n g a n d c o n t r o l l i n g t h e f l u x e s a c c e s s i n g t o B i o n d i ’s g r o u n d f l o o r. T h e b a c k a r e a o f vo l u m e c, f l a n k i n g t h e s t a g e, s e r ve s a s a c ove r e d p i a z z a , w i t h e x - B i o n d i ’s s e r v i c e s a n d s t a g e a c c e s s opening on it: once again, the borders of interior and e x t e r i o r b e c o m e f l u i d , t o e x p l o r e a s y s t e m o f d i ve r s e and interlaced public spaces.

35 The protruding wings of ex-Biondi complex, added probably in the first decade of X X cent. to the main building, are leaning directly on the backside the facing warehouse. For the project propos al and for the bad state of conser vation, a par tial demolition of the shared wall is proposed.

201

5. 2 NEED OF HOUSING

7. INHABITING VOIDS VOIDS AS PUBLIC GROUND MASTER PLAN

removal of later additions from originary building nucleus

u n i f y i n g v e r t ic a l ci r c ul a t i o n

e m p t y i n g s t a i r w e ll

removal of volumes that are restricting the access to the warehouses

removal of access gate

limits of the park as potentia relational spaces through the a d d i t i o n o f g a t h e r i n g d e v ic e s

opening volume C to create an axis with Ex-Biond

c o u r t- b a s e d s y s t e m a t i z a t i o n of horizontal circulation

structural reinforcement of previous staircases void and technical compar tment inser tion

vo i d s o f li g h t

height increment

5 .14

A xonometric view of the project block with

strategy-steps for private 202

spaces

create another por tico to mark the new park access from Via d e ll a S a l u t e

in te r n al dis t rib u tio n culmin a tin g in a central stage

n e w c o v e r i n g: a l u m i n i u m p a n e ls a n d p o l yc a r b o n a t e + l a y e r i n g o e x i s t i n g t il e s i n v o l u m e C

truss-frames: structura reinforcement and functiona support

s e s

l e

e i

k a

s f

l l

T h e d e s i g n s t r a t e g y i s d i r e c t e d t o i m p r ove t h e q u a l i t y o f e x i s t i n g i n h a b i t i n g w i t h o u t r e n o u n c i n g t o p r o x i m i t yto-ser vices’ benefits and to the self-sustaining c o m m u n i t y c r e a t e d i n t h e E x- B i o n d i . T h e a r c h i t e c t b e c o m e s m o d e r a t o r o f u r b a n i n n ov a t i o n p r o c e s s e s 36, t h a t i n c l u d e i n f o r m a l i t y a s r e s o u r c e t o p u t i n t o p l ay f o r a n e f f e c t i ve r e g e n e r a t i o n . To t h i s m e a n , a p a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n i s b r o u g h t t o t h e i n vo l ve m e n t o f t h e i n h a b i t a n t s i n t o t h e r e f u r b i s h m e n t o f t h e e x i s t i n g f a b r i c, i n s t e a d o f t h e i r m o m e n t a n e o u s expropriation from the building. This is reached both w i t h t h e c o m m o n e x p l o r a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g p u b l i c u s e, already begun through event planning, and with a by-step construction process, that could allow the p e r m a n e n c e (a t l e a s t o f a p o r t i o n o f i n h a b i t a n t s) o f people inside the building. Considering the delicate e n v i r o n m e n t i n w h i c h t h e n e w i n t e r ve n t i o n i s i n s e r t e d , a request of par tial moving out might be associated w i t h e v i c t i o n a n d , s o, e n c o u n t e r t h e r e s i s t a n c e o f t h e r e s i d e n t s . 3 7 T h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e n e w vo l u m e c o u l d host par t of the inhabitants during the restoration and r e a d a p t a t i o n wo r k s o f t h e e x i s t i n g f a b r i c s . T he in ter ven t ions grounds on t he ‘lear nings’ from i n f o r m a l i t y, s u p p o r t i n g t h e r e a d p o t e n t i a l i t i e s a n d r e s o l v i n g t h e p r o b l e m s t h a t c o u l d n o t f i n d a n a n swe r in the adaptation process.

3 6 F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 1, o p . c i t ., p . 3 3 37 Anex ampleofworkonexistent w i t h o u t i n h a b i t a n t s’ expropriation is given by the project of Cherubino Gambardella, in the nor th peripher y of Naples. Tr e v i s a n V., B e l l e z z a i m p e r f e t t a, D o m u s , n . 9 6 7, 15 . 0 4 . 2 0 13 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. d o m u s w e b . i t / i t / a r c h i t e t t u r a /2 013/ 0 4/15/ bellezza _ imperfetta.html

203

6 inhabitants

5 inhabitants

4 inhabitants

EARNING FROM INFORMALIT Y Inhabi t ing Las common li v ing NEEDS

BEHIND CLAIMS

CLAIMS BEHIND NEEDS

Biondi grande

Biondi piccolo 14,40 1,20

4,70

4,00 3,70

2,00

5,10

2,46

light court

1,30

master bedroom

3,10

0,60

1,35

floor 4

1,00

living room

3,05

dining area

3,70

0,93

1,30

single bedroom

2,15

1,30

0,66

1,30

2,15

2,00

3,05

2,00

3,05

3,10

master bedroom

10,90 3,70

15,70

5,10

1,03

light court single bedroom

floor 3

5,10

1,27

dining area

single bedroom

2,15

1,30

double bedroom

1,30

dining area

double bedroom

2,15

0,65

2,10

1,40

1,30

2,15

4,29

light court

0,65

1,50

master bedroom

1,30

10,90

1,70

3,10

2,45

single bedroom

0,75

3,10

dining area

1,85

5,10

15,70

4,29

10,90

7,70

0,50

2,20

0,55

4,50

1,40

4,50

CO-HOUSING 10

2 I N H A B I TA N T S _ A - B 2

PERSONS APARTMENT

2 15

PERSONS APARTMENT

SQM

SCALE 1:100

5 .15

COMMO

Floor distribution

PROVIDING

of typologies, with a proposal for

CO U R T YA R D S’ S Y S T EM

actual inhabit ants’ redistribution

LEV

floor 2

Levels of relational spaces STR ATEGY ON E X ISTING BUILDINGS

common spaces

LEGENDA 1:500

toilets single room double room one person temporary accommodation one person ap. Courtyards are both organizing horizontal distribution, becoming core gathering spaces, and serving the service system in existing building.

two persons ap. three-four persons ap. common spaces distribution spaces

floor 1

2 i n h3,70 abitants (f l a t m a t e s)

2,15

13,05i n h a b i t a n t (s t a b l e)

2,00 10,90

1 inhabitant (t e m p o r a r y)

COMMON

1,30

0,93

2 inhabitants (c o h a b i t a n t s)

SCALE 1:100

inhabitants

light court

LEVELS

PROVIDING

master bedroom

1,70

Circ ul a t io n: v e r t ic a l c e n t r a li z e d dis t r ib u t io n a n d h o r i z o n t a l g a t h e r i n g6 i nsh apb i t aa n tcs e s 5 inhabitants

1 I N H A B I TA N T_ A 1 I N H A B I TA CO U R T YA R D S’ S Y S T EM

10,90

2,15

2,00

3,05

4 i n1h a bP iEt aRnSt sO N T E M P O R A R Y A P .

1,40

0,65

3,70

3 i n h a b i t a n t s1 P E R S O N A P A R

1 5L. 5e v SeQl sM o f r e l a t i o n a l s p a c e s

SQM

5,90

1,27

single 5,90 bedroom

3,05

1,20

1,35

2,90

0,90 2,40

3,05

2 modules

3,0

1,35

REL ATION

light court

master bedroom

1,50

dining area

1,50

2,50

LEVELS

6,30

2,40

1,30 1,30

0,93

STR ATEGY ON E X ISTING BUILDINGS

3,70

2,15

DDED VOLUME S T R A2,00 T E G Y O N A3,05

1,30

light court

master bedroom

10,90

3,70

2,15

2,00

3,05

PERSON TEMP SQM

1,27

1 module

PERSONS APARTMENT SQM

2,15

dining area

single bedroom

5,10

double bedroom

2,15

dining area

1,30

double bedroom

1,03

0,65

2,10

1,40

1,30

0,65

1,50

master bedroom

1,70

1,30

10,90

1,85

1,30

1,35

0,50

2,00

0,60

living room

1 module

2,15

1,40

5,10

2,10

2,46

2,60

1,35

single bedroom

1,20

10,90

3,70

PROVIDING

1,00

single bedroom

0,66

6,30

2,10

7,70

dining area

1,35

SQM

4,00

4,70

2,10

2,50

6,30

2,20

1,50

0,55 1,30 2,45

1,20

4,50

0,75

1,30

1,50

PERSONS APARTMENT

14,40

1,35

1,20

2,90

1,35

6,30

1,35

3,70

1,20

2,40

1,20

4,50

8,75

3,05

1,35

STR ATEGY ON E X ISTING BUILDINGS

light court

2,15

1,30

double bedroom

5,10

1,03

dining area

single bedroom

2,15

0,65

The observation of informality arose the A dad ecdkvno lou m wel e d g LEGENDA ement of different relational spaces common spaces i n s i d e t h e b u1:500 ilding, of ten marked by filter self-built toilets d e v i c e s : i n p a r tsingle i croom u l a r, i t i2sI NpHoA BsIsTAi bN lTeS _ tAo- B d i s t i n g u i s h double room B i o n di ingtr o a n dae n i n t i m a t e a n d a c o m m o n s p h e r e . d i a B iloo n dgi u p iicnc ogl o Added volum 2 one person temporary accommodation w i t h t h e e x p e r ionemperson e nap.t e d p u5 b0 l i c u s e o f t h e b u i l d i n g . Courtyards are both organizing T h e s e s p a c e s r twoe gpersons u lap.a t e t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f r e l a t i o n horizontal distribution, becoming core gathering spaces, and serving the three-four persons ap. s b y a r r a n g i n g t h e c i r c u l a t i o n i n d i s t r i b u t i o n aCrOeMaMsO. N S PA CeEr vSi c e s y s t e m i n e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g . common spaces H o w e v e r, t h e i ndistribution s e r spaces tion of a residential function in t h e e x i s t i n g e x- h o s t i n g c o mCm unit y caused a confused MODULAR SYSTEM O U R T YA R D S’ S Y S T EM h i e r a r c h y a m o n g p r i v a t e a nL edv e lcs oo fmr em o n s p a c e s . Variabilit y as strategy lational spaces 1 IANrHcAhBiItTA e cNtT_ u rAa l i n t e r v e n1t iIoNnH Ai Bs I TA a pNpT_ r oBa c h e d a r e g u l a t4o rI N H A B I TA N T S nY t AiPa. t o r o f t1 hP EeR S OeN xA iP sA RtT iM nE NgT c o n n e c t i ocommon n s spaces 1 PaE RnS OdN Tp E Mo P Ot Re AR 4a Pt E R S O N S A P A R T M E N T common s 1 5 .d5 i Sf QfMe r e n t s c a l e s . To t h3i 3s Sm Q M e a n , ve r t i c a l c i r c u l a ttoilets 8 distribution i o n i0s S Q M 1 I N H A B I TA c e n t r a l i z e d o u t s i d e t h e e x i s t i n g f a b r i c, a n d c o m p l e t e d 1 by a h o r i z o n t a l d i s t r i b u t i o n u n r o l l i n g a r o u n d a c e n t r a l 15 . 5 mmodation cour t: this action allows both for an organization in The added volume develops a modular i n t e r n a l s p a c e s ’ h i e r a r c h ihCeooruiszrot ny taaa rl ddnissdt ar irbeuft biooont,rhb eoctrohgmai enn gi zcioonr gep e n i n g o f organization around a central gathering spaces, and serving the courtyard: flexibility is intrinsic in service system in existing building. t wo l i g h t- we l l s i n t h e p r e v i o u s s t a i r we l l s . H o r i z o n t a l the structure and relational spaces are ensured by circulation cOi rUcSuI Nl Ga t i o n o p e n s t o c o m m o n a r e a , c r e a t i n 2g I Ns HoAcBi IaTA l NTS_A-B CO-H g a t h e r i n g n o d e s v i s i b l e a l o n g t h e c o u r t p a s s a g2e a r e a s . 10 2 1 5 M o r e ove r, o c c u p a n t s r e p o r t e d t h a t s o m e o f t h e 5 0s p a c e s O N S PA C E S i n i t i a l l y d e vo t e d t o c o m m o n l i f e o f t h e r e s i d e n t s h a s SCALE 1:100 VELS OF REL ATION b e e n g r a d u a l l y t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o n e w a p a r t m e n t s o r F l e x i b i l i t y o v e r t i mCeO M M O N S PA C E S M U Ls A, tRo Sa YnSswe T E Mr t h e m o r e u r g e n t n e e d o f h o u s i n g . T h e v a r i a n t #1 LEVELS OF REL ATION PROVIDING r oOoDm v a r i a n t #2 Vpa rr io a bj e i l ict yt ap s rso t rp a toe s g ye s v i s u a l p e r m e a b i l i t y t o d e c l a r e a n d MODULA CO U R T YA R D S’ S Y S T EM STR ATEGY ON ADDED VOLUME p o t e n t i a t e t h e c o m m o n u s e o f s p a c e s . C o m m o n a rf l oeo ra4 s floor 4 Variabilit y Levels of relational spaces a r e c o n c e i ve d a s e n l a r g e m e n t o f c i r c u l a t i o n s p a c e s common spaces A n o t h e r s p a t i a l c o n f l i c t w a s distribution r e g i sspaces tered in the accesses common spaces LEGENDA floor 3 floor 3 1:500 t o p r i v a t e s p h e r e . H e r e o c c u p a n t s w e r e d i s p o s i n g toilets fsingle i l troom e r i n g d e v i c e s (d o o r m a t s , c u r t a i n s) t o m a r k a bdouble o rroom d e r t o t h e i n t i m a t e s p a c e. 3 8 To t h i s a i m , p r i v a t e a n d floor 2 floor 2 one person temporary accommodation c o m m o n s p h e r e s r e g u l a t e d by a r e c e s s e s i n i n t e r n a l T h eperson a d d ap. ed volume develops a modular one co rog ua nri tz aftai oçnaadr oe: u n dt h a ics e n ft raa lç a d e, r u n n i n g a l o n g t h e h o r i z o n t a l The added vol Courtyards are both organizing two c o upersons r t y a rap. d: flexibility is intrinsic in horizontal distribution, becoming core organizati dthree-four a r kf l oto rh1 e t h ie s s t tr urcit ubr eua t n di o r en l a t id o no a lcs k p a,c e is s m o v e d a n d c a r v e d t o m gathering spaces, and serving the persons ap. floor 1 courtyard: fl service system in existing building. are ensured by circulation the structure ecommon n t rspaces ance to the intimate sphere of inhabiting, being the are ensured b 205 fdistribution i l t e rspaces i n g d e v i c e f r o m t h e c o m m o n l i f e o f t h e b u i l d i n g . 3 8 C o n f r o n t c h a p t e r 4: light court

single bedroom

2 modules

2 + 3 modules

PERSONS APARTMENT SQM

1 module

STR ATEGY ON E X ISTING BUILDINGS

Interpreting Voids

STR ATEGY ON

Va r i a bili t y : clu s t e r s s y s t e m in t h e e x is t in g f a b r ic

3 9 B r i c o c o l i M , , P o s t i g l i o n e G ., S a b a t i n e l l i S ., R e C o D e: Reloading Contemporary D w e l l i n g, S c u o l a A U I C , Politecnico di Milano, Competition architecture workshop, lecture 18 . 0 2 . 2 0 19 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p:// w w w. l a b l o g . o r g . u k / w p - c o n t e n t /19 0 4 0 2 _ ReCoDe.pdf 40 Ibidem 41 P i n a S a m m a t i , i n t e r v i e w o f 14 . 0 3 . 2 2 4 2 B r i c o c o l i M , , P o s t i g l i o n e G ., 206

S a b a t i n e l l i S ., o p . c i t .

Reading and interpreting informality opened a f u n d a m e n t a l q u e s t i o n o n f o r m a l h o u s i n g o f f e r, i n t e r r o g a t i n g t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a ‘ f a m i l y t y p e’. I n f a c t , E x- B i o n d i c o n t a i n s a v a r i e t y o f l i v i n g n u c l e u s t h a t , f o r a need-pushed building occupation, are co-inhabiting t h e s a m e s p a c e. T h e a r e a s o f t h e o l d h o s t i n g - c e n t r e have been divided to fit the space requirements of dif ferent nucleus, with a small at tention for lighting and ve n t i l a t i o n q u a l i t y. I n a d d i t i o n t o d i ve r s i t y i n n u m e r i c composition, co-living demonstrates to be also a t r a n s - g e n e r a t i o n a l p r a c t i c e 39, i n v o l v i n g d i f f e r e n t b a c k g r o u n d ’s a c t o r s , f r o m f a m i l i e s w i t h c h i l d r e n t o single retired occupants. Occupation, infiltrating into ‘ traditional’ spaces, and demonstrates their inadequacy to current needs and questions the ‘ traditional’ housing organization. This obser vation asked for a strategy organized around t h e o b s e r ve d n u c l e i: a n u c l e u s i s a g r o u p c o m p o s e d of dif ferent members ‘bound together by blood or f a m i l y r e l a t i o n s’ 4 0 . T h e s e n u c l e i , r e a c h i n g f r o m t w o to si x people, are organized in E x-Biondi in small apar tment units, entering in a conflict need-space d e r i ve d . I n f a c t , d e s p i t e t h e p r e v i o u s h o s i n g f u n c t i o n o f E x- B i o n d i , t h e b u i l d i n g c o u l d n o t o f f e r a d e q u a t e s p a c e s to numerous families. This problem is transcending the peculiar case-study: with the arising immigration o f X X I c e n t u r y, t h e c o m p o s i t i o n o f s o c i e t y c h a n g e d , with housing of fer demonstrating its inadequacy to t h e n e w d e m a n d . 41 The inter vention proposes a re-organization of the t wo e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g s t o r e s p o n d t o t h e c o m p o s i t i o n a l variet y obser ved. The room is taken as basing unit: single or double bedroom are organized in clusters, a ‘c o n s t e l l a t i o n o f r o o m s ’ 42 g r a v i t a t i n g a r o u n d a c o m m o n s p a c e, c o n s i s t i n g i n d i n i n g a n d l i v i n g a r e a s . T h e c l u s t e r- t y p o l o g y o f f e r s a s u i t a b l e s o l u t i o n t o b o t h s i n g l e u s e r s a n d t o n u m e r o u s n u c l e i . M o r e o v e r, t h e

4,00

2 inhabitants (c o h a b i t a n t s)

2,10 6,30

6,30

3 inhabitants

2,50

1,40

light court

master bedroom

2 inhabitants (f l a t m a t e s)

2,15

2,00

3,05

2,00

3,05

1 inhabitant (s t a b l e)

2,10

3,70

0,93

living room

1,50

1,00

cl u s t e r a l l ow s f o r a l i g h t- q u a l i t y i n cr e a s e i n t h e i n t e r i o r, 5 .16 M o d u l a r s y s t e m by r e s e r v i n g t h e o u t d o o r o p e n i n g s t o p r i v a t e b e d r o o m s, allowing flexibilit y a n d c o n c e n t r a t i n g t h e l i g h t- we l l p r ov i s i o n i n t h e l a r g e r 1 I N H A B I TA N T_ A c o m m o n a r e a s . T h e p r o j e c t s t r a t e g y a i m s t o ove r p a s s 1 . Biondi piccolo Added volume 15 . 5 i n h a b i t a n t ’s n u m b e r a s s t a n d a r d d e f i n e r, p r o m o t i n g a q u a l i t y o f i n h a b i t i n g ove r a q u a n t i t y o f s h e l t e r. I n t h i s w a y, s h a r e d s e r v i c e s a r e c e n t r a l i z e d a r o u n d l i g h t we l l , t h a t a l s o a s s u m e s t h e r o l e o f i n s t a l l a t i o n v a n e. NG 2 I N H A B I TA N T S _ A - B I n t h i s w ay, t h e i m p l a n t r e o r g2a n i z a t i o n , n e c e s s a r y t o s u p p o r t t h e n e w b u i l d i n g u s e, i5s0 o b t a i n e d w i t h a l i m i t e d i n t e r ve n t i o n o n t h e e x i s t i n g f a b r i c. I f l i g h t p r o v i s i o n i s a t o p i c f o r G o t h i c l o t s , CtOhMeM O N S PA C E S 1 I N H A B I TA N T_ B c o n t i n u o u s s t r e e t f r o n t , o f w h i c h E x-1BI Ni oH AnBdI TA i iNsT_pA a r t , 1 . 1 MODULAR SYSTEM c h a r a c t e r i z e s t hA ded e sd tv orlou mne g i m a gCeO UoRf Tt YhAeR nD eS ’ i gS YhSbToE uMr h o o d . o 15 . 5 33 Variabilit y as strategy T h i s p a r t i c u l a r r e g a r d f o r t h eL e cv eol s no ft er exl a tt i otnra al snp asc le as t e s i n a reorganization of street façade basing on the existing o p e n i n g sy s t e m: t h e n e c e s s a r y l i g h t i n c o m e i s o b t a i n e d t h r o u g h a2nI NeHnA Bl aI TA r gNeT Sm_ Ae-nB t o f B i o n d i g r a n d e a n d B i o n d i 2 i n d ow s , u s i n g t h e n e w s l i d i n g a n d f o l d i n g p i c c o l o‘s w 50 s h u t t e r s t o g i ve a r h y t h m t o t h e e n t i r e s y s t e m . A l s o r o o f ’s r e p l a c e m e n t i s u n d e r t a k e n w i t h b o t h c o n t e x t a n d n e w u s e’s c o n s i d eC Or aM tMiOoNn:S PAt hC eE St i l e r o o f i n g , B I TA N T_ B 4 I N H A B I TA N T S c h a r a c t e r i s t i c1 IoN Hf A BOI TA l t rN eT_tAo r r e n t e ’ s1 I NrHoAw houses, is Added volume MODULAR SYSTEM 1 4 C O U R T 1Y A R D S ’ S Y S T E M . r e p l a c e d by a a l 1u5 m i n i u m p a n e l s , t h a t3 3b e n e f i t o f r e d u c e d .5 80 Variabilit y as strategy Levels of relational spaces maintenance costs and bet ter insulation, however r e c a l l i n g t h e t y p i c a l c o v e r i n g ’s p a t t e r n . T h e l i g h t e r roof system allows for an increased height of the A N T S _ A - Bl a s t f l o o r, c o n v e r t i n g t h e p r e v i o u s i n h a b i t e d c r a w l s p a c e i n t o r e g u l a r- h e i g h t r o o m s , w i t h o u t m i n i n g a t t h e s t r u c t u r a l e x i s t i n g s y s t e m . I n B i o n d i p i c c o l o, a n e x t r a f l o o r c o n s e n t s t h e o p e n i n g o f a r o o f t e r r a c e, w i t h 1 I N H A B I TA N T_ A C O M M O N S1 PA I N H A B I TA N T_ B 4 I N H A B I TA N T S t h e b a l u s t r a d e uCsEiSn g t h e s a m e r o o f m e t a l p a n e l s , t h u s . 1 4 Flexibility over time a m a l g a m a t i n g3 3 w i t h t h e t i l e d c o n t e x t . 8 0 5.5 M O D U L A R S Y S T E M RDS’ SYSTEM T h e a c t i o n o n t h e e x i s t i n g i s c o n s i d e r i n g b o t h t h e va l u e s Variabilit y as strategy ational spaces o f E x- B i o n d i ’s h i s t o r y a n d o f i t s i n f o r m a l o c c u p a t i o n , e s t a b l i s h i n g a d i a l o g u e b e t we e n t h e s e t wo c o - e x i s t i n g dimensions.

2,60

4 inhabitants

0,60

5 inhabitants

1,30

1,35

5,10

area

1,30

10,90

2,15

1,40

2,00

3,05

2,00

3,05

1,35

1,20

0,90 2,40

6,30

2,10

4,00

1 inhabitant (t e m p o r a r y)

2,40

1 inhabitant (s t a b l e) 1 m o d u l e 2,60

2 inhabitants (f l a t m a t e s)

2,10

2,15

1,50

2 inhabitants S Q M (c o h a b i t a n t s)

3,70

1,35

1,50

1,50 2,50

6,30

PERSONS APARTMENT

3 inhabitants

0,93

1,20

4,00

5,10

1,27

1,40

5,10

light court

master bedroom

1,30

1,00

0,60

4 inhabitants

3,05

1,20

single bedroom

dining area

2,46 1,35

ARTMENT

SQM

5,90

3,05

light c o1,35 urt

3,05

2,15

2,00

dining area

single bedroom

2,15

0,65

2,15

1,30

0,66

10,90

PERSON APAR

SQM

1,03

3,70

0,50

double bedroom

PERSON TEMPORARY AP

1,30

dining area

1 I N H A B I TA

10,90

3,70

2 modules

2,10

master bedroom

0,65

light court

1,70

r m

1,40

1,35

1,20

6,30

1 inhabitant (s t a b l e)

10,90

2 modules

PROVIDING

2,10

LEVELS

REL ATION

P E R S O N A P A R5,90 TMENT

PERSONS APARTMENT

SQM

3,05

1,20

1,35

1,20

1,35

1,20

3,05

1,35

1,20

floor 4

2,90

0,90

1,50

toilets

common spaces

distribution spaces

floor 3

1 module

Courtyards are both organizing horizontal distribution, becoming core gathering spaces, and serving the service system in existing building.

PROVIDING

PERSON TEMPORARY AP

LEVELS

SQM

REL ATION

PERSON APARTMENT SQM

2,40

2,10

2,60

2,10

1,50

RTMENT

2,40

2,90

6,30

2,10

4,00

common spaces

2,40

1,50

1,35

STR ATEGY ON ADDED VOLUME

1,35 S T R A T E G Y 1,20 O N E X1,35 ISTING B U I 1,20 LDINGS

light court

2,50

SQM

3,05

6,30

1,20

dining area

3,70

3,05

8,75

5,90

6,30

distribution

3,05

PERSON TEMPORARY AP

1,35

1,20

common s

3,70

ces

2,00

1,35

The added volume develops a modular organization around a central courtyard: flexibility is intrinsic in the structure and relational spaces are ensured by circulation

10,90

2,15

1,20

0,90

1 module

Courtyards are both organizing horizontal distribution, becoming core gathering spaces, and serving the service system in existing building.

ons ap.

1,20

2,40

1 inhabitant (t e m p o r a r y)

2,60

2,10

1,50

3,05

1,35

6,30

4,00

2,10

4,00

6,30

PERSONS APARTMENT

1,35

1,20

toilets

SQM

2,00

1,35

1,50

2 inhabitants (f l a t m a t e s)

2,50

2 inhabitants (c o h a b i t a n t s)

porary accommodation 2,15

1,20

common spaces

dining area

light court

1,20

2,90

single bedroom

3,05 ED VOLUME STR ATEGY ON ADD

S T R A T E G Y O N E X I S T I N G B U I L D3,05 INGS

light court

2 modules

The added volume develops a modular organization around a central courtyard: flexibility is intrinsic in the structure and relational spaces P E aRrSe OeNnSs uAr eP dA Rb Ty Mc Ei rNc Tu l a t i o n

1 module

A Cb oEt Sh

floor 2

floor 1

v a r i a n t #2

STR ATEGY ON ADDED VOLUME

common spaces

toilets

distribution spaces

2 modules

floor 4

floor 3

2 + 3 modules

floor 2 organizing

2 + 3 modules

SQM

v a r i a n t #1

XISTING BUILDINGS

5,90

6,30

1,35

PERS

SQM

3,70

5,10

3,05

2,15

1,30

3,05

1,27

2,00

PERSON APARTMENT

2,40

2,15

0,65 1,03

dining area

single bedroom

4 INH

REL ATION

SQM

10,90

2,90

0,65

2,15

PERSON TEMPORARY AP

2,15

LEVELS

PROVIDING

10,90

3,70

2,40

1,70

1,30

10,90

The added volume develops a modular

207 floor 2

6 inhabitants

5 inhabitants

4 inhabitants

Biondi grande

3 inha

Biondi piccolo 14,40 1,20

4,70

4,00 3,70

2,00

light court

master bedroom

1,00

0,60

1,30

1,35

5,10

2,46

dining area

3,70

0,93

living room

3,05

2,15

2,00

3,05

2,00

3,05

1,30

master bedroom

10,90 3,70

0,65

light court

1,70

1,30

10,90

1,50

15,70

2,15

1,30

0,66

1,30

3,10

2,45 1,30

single bedroom

0,75

3,10

dining area

single bedroom

2,15

CO-HOUSING 10

PERSONS APARTMENT

2 15

SQM

dining area

single bedroom

5,10

2,15

0,65

light court

2,15

1,03

double bedroom

single bedroom

1,27

dining area

1,30

double bedroom

1,85

5,10

2,10

1,40

1,30

4,29

10,90

7,70

0,50

2,20

0,55

4,50

1,40

4,50

2 I N H A B I TA N T S _ A - B 2

PERSONS APARTMENT

SQM

SCALE 1:100

COMMON PROVIDING

LEVELS

CO U R T YA R D S’ S Y S T EM Levels of relational spaces STR ATEGY ON E X ISTING BUILDINGS

208

LEGENDA 1:500

common spaces toilets

single room

abitants

2 inhabitants (c o h a b i t a n t s)

2 inhabitants (f l a t m a t e s)

1 inhabitant (s t a b l e)

1 inhabitant (t e m p o r a r y)

Added volume 5,90

8,75

5,90 3,05 3,05

3,05 1,20

1,35

3,05

1,20

1,35

1,20

1,35

1,20

1 I N H A B I TA N T_ A 1

P E R S O N T E M P O R A R Y A P.

15 . 5

SQM

1 module

1 I N H A B I TA N T_ B 1

PERSON APARTMENT

3,70

4 I N H A B I TA N T S 4

PERSONS APARTMENT

SQM

2,40

2,10

2,60

2,10

1,50

2,90

6,30

4,00

2,40

3,70

2,90

1,50 2,10

4,00 2,50

6,30

1,20

0,90

1,20

1,50

1,35

SQM

2 modules

2 + 3 modules

S PA C E S OF

REL ATION

Flexibility over time

MODULAR SYSTEM

v a r i a n t #1

Variabilit y as strategy

v a r i a n t #2

5 .17

STR ATEGY ON ADDED VOLUME

floor 4

Variety-based strategies in existing and

floor 4

new built volumes

common spaces distribution spaces floor 3

floor 3

F le x ibili t y : m o d ul a r s y s t e m in t h e n e w v olu m e

43 ‘The cit y is conceived as a series of ‘to be continued’ s i t u a t i o n s a n d m o b i l i t i e s .’ L a c a t o n A ., V a s s a l J . P., F r e e d o m o f u s e, H a r v a r d U n i v e r s i t y, G r a d u a t e School of Design. A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w.y o u t u b e . c o m/ w a t c h? v=z d gY G k Q M 9 z c , 210

m i n . 15 . 4 5

To t h e v a r i e t y o f f a m i l y u n i t s , i s a d d e d a n o t h e r t e m p o r a l v a r i a b l e, b o t h i n vo l v i n g f a m i l y n u c l e i c o m p o s i t i o n a n d their permanence in the building. The family nucleus is not a fixed unit, but it is and enlarging and shrinking g r o u p o f i n d i v i d u a l s , c h a n g i n g ove r t i m e. M o r e ove r, t h e o b s e r ve d i n f o r m a l o c c u p a t i o n r e ve a l s t h e c o e x i s t e n c e of stable inhabitants with temporar y building users, relaying on informal solutions while searching for permanent accommodation. Basing on these obser vations, the new built volume d e ve l o p s o n a m o d u l a r o r g a n i z a t i o n o f h o u s i n g u n i t s , ensuring flexibilit y in space and use. A system of grid pillars suppor ts modular apar tments, able to accommodate dif ferent family nuclei. Housing units are built around real needs of users, and not the other way around, aware their changes o v e r t i m e . To i n c o r p o r a t e f l e x i b i l i t y a s i n t r i n s i c project’ strategy corresponds to the possibilit y for modular increment or reduction of t ypologies, without c o m p r o m i s i n g s e r v i c e s’ c o n f i g u r a t i o n . Housing units present an internal organization with a d ay- n i g h t z o n e s s u b d i v i s i o n , d e l i n e a t i n g a h i e r a r c h y also inside the private sphere and distinguishing intimate and common life of family members. A l l t h e a c c o m m o d a t i o n s a r e p r ov i d e d w i t h a b a l c o n y o r g a n i z e d w i t h t wo l e ve l s o f s l i d i n g o p e n i n g s: t h i s f r e e s p a c e a l l ow s i n h a b i t a n t s t o o p e n o r c l o s e t h e i n d o o r area, becoming a space to experiment the inhabitingb e yo n d - s h e l t e r. This changing condition, that considers time variable as a project potential, is not comparable with the ephemeral obligation of informalit y: to incorporate i n cr e m e n t a l i t y i n t h e p r oj e c t m e a n s t o c o n s i d e r h o us i n g a s a s o c i a l i n ve s t m e n t . F o r t h i s t o b e p o s s i b l e, s p a c e’s a p p r o p r i a t i o n i s n e c e s s a r y. T h i s i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y l i n k e d w i t h p e r m a n e n c y, b u t w i t h a s e l f - c o n t r o l l e d a n d n o t i m p o s e d t e m p o r a r i n e s s.43

6,3 2,90

6,3

2,40

The chosen materials strengthen the approach to v a r i a b i l i t y a s p r o j e c t ’s u n d e r p i n n i n g . 4 4 T h e ve n t i l a t e d façade of the added volume works with the on this concept, both in terms of variabilit y in spaces use, a l t e r n a t i n g p r i v a t e a n d p u b l i c, a n d i n t i m e c h a n g i n g 4 I N H A B I TA N T S m o d u l e s . To t h i s m e a n , p o l yc h a r b o a n t e p a n e l s a r e u s e d f o r b o t h4 t PhEeR ScOoNuS r At yP AaRr TdM fE aN cT i n g f a ç a d e a n d t h e s l i d i n g p a n e l s o8f0 bSaQl Mc o n i e s . D u e t o t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s r e l a t e d t o the construction area, adaptabilit y and prefabrication are fundamental also for their easy assembling. M o r e o v e r, p o l y c a r b o n a t e e n s u r e s a c o m f o r t - c a r e t o t h e s u r r o u n d i n g e n v i r o n m e n t , l i m i t i n g t h e i n t e r ve n t i o n visual impact with its anti-glare possibilities. The modular system of the façade allows a free r e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f o p e n i n g a n d , c o n s e q u e n t l y, o f internal spaces, accordingly to the changing needs of o d u la es s t e e l u s e r s . P o l yc a r b o n a t e p a n e l s a r e s u p p o r t2e+d3 mby structure, composing the outer skin to the ventilate f a ç a d e.

Flexibility over time v a r i a n t #1

v a r i a n t #2

floor 4

floor 3

5 .18

E xploded a xonometries showing variabilit y in modular assembling

floor 2

floor 1

4 4 ‘ L’u s o d i o g n i m a t e r i a l e deve prevedere la costruzione di un luogo e la sua t r a s f o r m a z i o n e .’, R o s s i A ., A u t o b i o g r a f i a S c i e n t i f i c a, o p . c i t ., p . 18

Inhabi t ing as b ene comune

SCALE 1:100

P U B L I C S PAC E S E X- G A R A G E M A R C H E T T I

s o ci a l c a f è

5 .19

Longitudinal sections. Different privacy-levels

SCALE 1:100

for relational spaces.

court

stage

C O M M O N S PAC E S

P R I VAT E S PAC E S

A D D E D V O L U M E ’S C O U R T

E X I S T I N G B U I L D I N G’S A PA R T M E N T S

covered market

park

4 5 K a t i a To r r i , i n t e r v i e w o f 09.03.22 46 Case-study of Asilo E xFilangeri in Naples, an ex-reformator y which, o c c u p i e d i n 2 0 12 , h a s been institutionalized under the premises of ‘ b e n e c o m u n e’ b y D e Magistris administration. Proposta di delibera n. 3 - 4 d e l 17. 0 4 .14, C o m u n e di Napoli, Delibera n. 258-259 47 G e h l J . L i f e b e t w e e n 214

b u i l d i n g s, o p . c i t ., p . 19 7

E x- B i o n d i ’s g r o u n d f l o o r o r g a n i z a t i o n a i m s a t a f l ow i n g o f s t r e e t l i f e i n s i d e t h e r e s i d e n t i a l l o t . E x- B i o n d i i s the missing tile of a fluid public space system holding together the multifaceted realities of the block. T h e a r c h i t e c t u r a l p r o j e c t i s c o n c e i ve d a s a s t r u c t u r a l b a c k b o n e s u p p o r t i n g t h e e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n o f v o i d ’s r e d i s c ove r y i n i t i a t e d w i t h o c c u p a t i o n . A s K a t i a To r r i e x p l a i n e d 45, o c c u p a t i o n s m a n i f e s t b o t h a h o u s i n g a n d a social emergency: the act of occupying a building p r o p o s e s i t s i n t r i n s i c t a k i n g c a r e ( o c c u p a r s i ). T h e occupied building is not subtracted to the cit y but is g i ve n b a c k t o c i t i z e n s a s a ‘av a i l a b l e p a t r i m o n y ’. 4 6 A s p a t r i m o n y, i t s v a l u e f o r t h e c o l l e c t i v e c o m m u n i t y i s r e c o g n i s e d a n d i t s p e r c e p t i o n a s b e n e co m u n e (c o m m o n good) is claimed. The role of architecture inside a topic that could appear only of social mat ter is the one to recognise the system b e h i n d a p o s s i b l e p u b l i c s p a c e t o r e m ove i t f r o m a n isolation and plug it into the cit y organism. To t h i s m e a n s , E x - B i o n d i o p e n s t h e a c c e s s t o t h e block though a façade tunnel that inser ts in the t wo o l d h o u s e’s g a r a g e s . T h i s e n t r a n c e t u n n e l ( p h y s i c a l e n t r a n c e i n v i t a t i o n) i s s t r e n g t h e n e d by g r o u n d f l o o r p u b l i c a c t i v i t i e s (s o c i a l e n t r a n c e i n v i t a t i o n): a s o c i a l c a f é a n d r e s t a u r a n t a n i m a t e s t h e s t r e e t f r o n t a n d r e ve l s the public life inside the block. Indoor and outdoor a c t i v i t i e s a r e f l u i d a n d v i s u a l l y c o n n e c t e d 4 7, g e n e r a t i n g a t wist of uses and users. Public spaces are organized to benefit the residential use and vice versa: in fact, basing on on-field e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n s o f E x- B i o n d i ’s c o u r t y a r d o p e n i n g s , the social café has been envisioned as a working activit y for the resident, facilitating the reinser tion of inhabitants also at a social level. In fact, a local m i c r o e c o n o m y, s u p p o r t e d b y t h e p r o x i m i t y w i t h t h e residence, could permit a employment to carless p e o p l e a n d t o f a m i l i e s w i t h yo u n g c h i l d r e n .

5.20

Tr a d i t i o n a l b i r d c a g e s

in Moroccan houses, unveiling ‘inhabiting’ b e h i n d ‘ o c c u p a t i o n ’. Photo by Giulia Pantò, 2021

215

‘ Ci t i e s a l s o b e l i e ve t h e y a r e t h e wo rk o f t h e m i n d o r o f c h a n c e, b u t n e i t h e r t h e o n e n o r t h e o t h e r s u f f i c e s t o h o l d u p t h e i r wa l l s .’

‘A n c h e l e c i t t à c r e d o n o d’e s s e r e o p e r a d e l l a m e n t e o d e l c a s o, m a n è l’u n a n è l’a l t r o b a s t a n o a t e n e r s u l e l o r o m u r a .’

C a l v i n o I . , L e c i t t à i n v i s i b i l i , I I I, p . 4 2 t r a n s l a t i o n b y W e a v e r W. , V i n t a g e R a n d o m H o u s e , L o n d o n , 19 9 7

INCONCLUSION

INCONCLUSION DESIGN AS METHODOLOGY P r oje c t a s p r o c e s s P r o c e s s a s m e t h o d olo g y

P r ojec t as pr oces s Reading urban voids with correlated informal uses, and interpreting them in terms of demand and of fer c a n f i l l t h e g a p b e t we e n t h e u s e r s w i t h o u t s p a c e s a n d s p a c e s w i t h o u t u s e r s. 1 Informal actions are a precious help to orient future i n t e r ve n t i o n s , a s t h e y m a t e r i a l i z e t h e a d a p t a t i o n s o f the spaces to a new need. E x i s t i n g s p a c e s a n d i n h a b i t i n g a c t o r s o f a g i ve n c o n t e x t should be the base on which to formulate a strategy for a n e f f e c t i ve u r b a n r e g e n e r a t i o n . T h e c l o s e t i e s b e t we e n a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d i t s u s e r s , a s we l l a s a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d t h e c i t y, 2 r e p r e s e n t s a s o l i d b a s e o n w h i c h t o i n s e r t t h e d e s i g n i n t e r ve n t i o n . A r c h i t e c t u r e, a s i n f o r m a l i t y, i s a c o n t i n u o u s p r o c e s s of adaptation embracing changes as generating factor as well as expected outcome. The interpretation of i n f o r m a l i t y a s ‘e c o l o g i c a l ’ p r a c t i c e 3 , a b l e t o r e - i n ve n t a n d a d a p t i t s e l f, h a s b e e n e n g l o b e d i n t h e d e ve l o p m e n t o f a n ‘ i n c r e m e n t a l p r o j e c t ’ 4, w h e r e u s e r s a r e c a l l e d t o mold spaces experimenting inhabiting. A r c h i t e c t u r e f i g u r e s t h e i m a g e b e yo n d t h e p u z z l e o f already existing relations by resewing the fractures o f t h e c i t y. T h e d e s i g n o f p u b l i c s p a c e s s u g g e s t s fluxes, proposes pauses and facilitates interaction, configuring as infrastructure that suppor ts socialit y and reuses urban interstices. Residential area is a c k n ow l e d g e d i n i t s i n t i m a t e a n d c o m m o n d i m e n s i o n s , w i t h s p a c e s b a l a n c i n g h i e r a r c h y o f e n c o u n t e r. I n s i d e e x i s t i n g c o m p l e x i t y, a r c h i t e c t u r e b u i l d s a backg r o un d sug g es t i n g p ossi b l e sce n es o f i n t e r ac t i o n 5 , considering users as the real ‘building material’ for inhabiting.

1 R e t e D i r i t t i i n C a s a’ s l o g a n : ‘persone senz a c ase, c ase senz a per sone’ 2 F a i f e r r i M ., L a c a t o n&Va s s a l . Semplicità complessa/ Complex simplicity in N o u v e l J ., D o m u s , B r e a t h e , E d i t o r i a l e D o m u s S . p . a ., M i l a n o , n . 10 6 7, A p r i l 2 0 2 2 , p . 12 - 3 7 3 ‘L a ecologìa de lo informal’ i n F o l c h T., R o b e r t s o n C ., C u a d e r n i l l o 01. R e f l e x i o n e s s o b r e l o i n f o r m a l, o p . c i t . 4 A r a v e n a A ., I a c o b e l l i A ., o p . cit. 5 R o s s i A ., o p . c i t .

219

P r oces s as me t ho dolo g y

6 M e h r o t r a R . F o r e w o r d, i n H e r n á n d e z F., K e l l e t P., A l l e n L . K ., o p . c i t ., p . x i - x i v 7 ‘ Q u a l i t y, c h a r m , l i f e e x i s t . T h e square is already beautiful. As a project we' ve proposed doing nothing apar t from some simple and rapid m a i n t e n a n c e w o r k s .’ L a c a t o n &V a s s a l , P l a c e L è o n A u c o c, B o r d e a u x , 19 9 6 . A v a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s :// w w w. l a c a t o n v a s s a l . c o m/ i n d e x . p h p?i d p=37# 220

8 D e C a r l o , o p . c i t ., p . 12

T h e b i n a r i e s ( f o r m a l - i n f o r m a l , r i c h - p o o r, f i r s t - t h i r d w o r l d s , c e n t e r- p e r i p h e r y ) a r e d i s s o l v e d 6 t o a l l o w a complete reading of the heterogeneous and complex s y s t e m o f t h e c i t y. U n d e r t h e s e m e a n s , t h e i n conclusion of this research aims to redefine questions r a t h e r t h a t l o o k i n g f o r a n s we r s . T h e d e s i g n p r o c e s s , i n vo l v i n g vo i d s a n d l o c a l a c t o r s as physical and social potentialities, is strongly i n f l u e n c e d by t h e c o n t e x t . T h i s a s p e c t g r a d u a l l y s h i f t e d t h e f o c u s t ow a r d t h e e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n o f t h e p r o c e s s a s a m e t h o d o l o g y o f i n t e r ve n t i o n . I n t h i s s c e n a r i o, t h e a r c h i t e c t b e c o m e s c u r a t o r o f u r b a n i n n ov a t i o n o f w h i c h s p a t i a l a c t i o n i s j u s t a p a r t : t h e design delineates a methodology where the role of the exper t is the one to interlace new plots basing on the e x i s t i n g n e t wo r k o f s p a c e s a n d r e l a t i o n s . A m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y s t u d y o f t h e c i t y, o b s e r ve d t h o u g h t h e e ye s o f d i f f e r e n t p r o f e s s i o n a l s , c a n d e t e c t d i f f e r e n t points where to plug in and inser t the inter vention, which does not necessarily correspond to a physical construction.7 In-conclusion, the project is an at tempt, a continuous e x c h a n g e o f l i n e s w i t h t h e c i t y, c o n s t a n t l y l e v e l i n g inequalities and alimenting the dialogue of inhabiting. The architect is involved as reader and organizer of systems behind the actors moving in the space, questioning its service-role by continuously c o n f r o n t i n g t h e c i t y. 8

Poster for the event ’E xB i o n d i : d a l ’ ’o c c u p a z i o n e a l l ’o c c u p a r s i ’, photographic and video repor t age, public assembly and social dinner offered by i n h a b i t a n t s , 15 . 0 7. 2 0 2 1. Photo by Giulia Pantò

Poster for the events’ cycle ’Leggo quindi penso. P i a n e t a P i n o c c h i o ’, public readings and improvised theatre organized by L.o.f.t. t h e a t r e c o m p a n y, financed by Fondazione Cariparma, March 2022. Photo by Giulia Pantò

Poster for the events’ weekend ’Prima cosa: la c a s a ’, p h o t o g r a p h i c a n d video reportage hosted b y A . O .T. G a l l e r y, p u b l i c assemblies and guided tours in E x-Biondi holded by inhabitants, 2 7- 2 8 .11. 2 0 2 1. P h o t o b y Giulia Pantò

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The images were taken during the public events hosted 222

i n E x - B i o n d i a l o n g 2 0 2 1.

Photos by Giulia Pantò ( f i r s t a n d s e c o n d s t r i p e s) and Luca Fantuzzi (last s t r i p e)

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BIBLIOGR A P H Y ARTICLES SITOGR APHY

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SI T OGR A P H Y A r ave n a A ., V i vi e n d a y C i u d a d. C o n ve r s a c i ó n c o n A l e j a n d ro A ra ve n a, A r q u i n e, 2 019 h t t p s://w w w.yo u t u b e.c o m/wa t c h? v=o O s PPg A 8 4 m I B r i c o c o l i M ,, P o s t i g l i o n e G ., S a b a t i n e l l i S., R e C o D e: R e l o a d i n g C o n te m p o ra r y D w e l l i n g, S c u o l a A U I C, P o l i t e c n i c o d i M i l a n o, C o m p e t i t i o n a r c h i t e c t u r e wo r k s h o p, l e c t u r e 18.0 2. 2 019 h t t p://w w w. l a b l o g.o rg.u k /w p - c o n te n t/19 0 4 0 2 _ R e C o D e. p d f B r i l l e m b o u r g A ., A l f re d o B ri l l e m b o u rg, Te d E x, m i n . 6.0 0. Av a i l a b l e a t : h t t p s://w w w.yo u t u b e.c o m/ wa t c h? v=U J X t O 0 P4W Q E H e i z a n o g l o u C., T h e n a t u re o f i n f o rm a l i t y. A p l a t f o rm a b o u t t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f i n f o rm a l i t y. h t t p s://i n- f o rm a l i t y. b l o g s p o t.c o m/ G124, Re n z o P i a n o h t t p s://w w w. re n zo p i a n o g124.c o m/ G a m b o a C., M a s s o n i P., L a c o l a rq u i te c t u ra c o o p e ra t i va . L a B o rd a : vi s i t a a rq u i te c to n i c a . h t t p:// w w w. l a b o rd a .c o o p/e n/p ro j e c t/a rc h i te c t u ra l- p ro j e c t/ H a b i t a r d i g n o, C i u d a d C o n s i t u ye n te 234

h t t p s://ra d i c a l h o u s i n g j o u rn a l.o rg/20 21/c i u d a dc o n s t i t u ye n te/ L a b o ra to ri o 9 x18, a c a d e m i c r e s e a r c h g r o u p i n s i d e P o n t i f i c i a U n i ve r s i d a d C a t ò l i c a d e Ch i l e h t t p://a rq u i te c t u ra .u c.c l/i n ve s t i g a c i o n/g r u p o s . h t m l? vi e w=g r u p o s&g ro u p I d=3 L a c a t o n A ., Va s s a l J. P., Fre e d o m o f u s e, H a r v a r d U n i ve r s i t y, G r a d u a t e S c h o o l o f D e s i g n h t t p s://w w w.yo u t u b e.c o m/wa tc h? v=zd gYG k Q M 9 zc M e h r o t r a R ., T h e l i m i t s o f u rb a n d e s i g n, U r b a n A g e S h a p i n g Ci t i e s , 2 016 h t t p s://w w w.yo u t u b e.c o m/ wa t c h? v=e s PJ R n K EyH U Tu r i l l i C., Em e rg e n z a c a s a , S u n i a Pa rm a : p i ù d i 20 0 s f ra t t i a l l ' a n n o. C i n q u e m i l a d o m a n d e d i a i u to p e r p a g a re l ' a f f i t to, 2 2.07. 21 h t t p s://vi d e o. re p u b b l i c a . i t/e d i z i o n e/p a rm a / e m e rg e n z a- c a s a- s u n i a- p a rm a- p i u- d i- 20 0 - s f ra t t i- a l la n n o - c i n q u e m i l a- d o m a n d e- d i- a i u to - p e r- p a g a re- la f f i t to/3 923 49/3 93 0 6 2 U -T T, To rre D a vi d, A r c h i ve h t t p s://u t td e s i g n.c o m/a rc h i ve/b u i l d i n g s/to rre- d a vi d PA R M A C o m u n e d i P a r m a , B a n d o ER P: g ra d ua to ri a d e f i n i t i va, 2 0 21 h t t p s://w w w.c o m u n e. p a rm a . i t/n o t i z i e/c o m u n i c a t i/ W EL FA R E/20 21- 0 2-18/B a n d o - ER P- l a- g ra d u a to ri ad e f i n i t i va . a s px I l B o r g o, Ci r c o l o Cu l t u r a l e h t t p://w w w. i l b o rg o d i p a rm a . i t/a rc h i vi o _ 9 0 0/p rg _ p r/ p rg _ p a rm a _ 1. h t m L a s a g n i R ., D i z i o n a ri o B i o g ra f i c o d e i Pa rm i g i a n i, Istituzione Biblioteche del Comune Parma, 2009 h t t p s://w w w.c o m u n e. p a rm a . i t/d i z i o n a ri o p a rm i g i a n i/i t a / B e s e g h i- B l o n d i. a s px?i d M o s t ra=3 8&i d N o d e=229 235

M e l e g a r i L ., D e n t ro i l C o l l e t t i vo, 2 0 2 0 h t t p s://w w w.yo u t u b e.c o m/wa t c h? v=1o7S U R X K Vp Q Parma Social House h t t p s://w w w. p a rm a 8 0. i t/p o r t f o l i o/c o s e- i l- p ro g e t to p a rm a- s o c i a l- h o u s e- 2/ Re t e D i r i t t i I n C a s a h t t p s://d i ri t t i n c a s a . b l o g s p o t.c o m/

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Thanks to all the peo ple - fami ly, friends a n d p r o f e s s o r s - s h o w i n g m e e v e r y d a y, across t wo continents , in - bet ween a civil revolution, a pandemic, and increasing conflicts , that is wor th to design and built a bet ter world.

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G razie a tut te le per sone - famiglia , amici e professori- che in due continenti, nel mezzo di una rivoluzione civile, una pandemia e conflit ti sempre più vicini , non smet tono, ogni giorno, di dimostrarmi che vale la pena proget tare e costruire un mondo più giusto .

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