Industrial Districts

INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS IN PIACENZA

Data: Google Earth, 2020. Google Maps, 2018.

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B D

C

The northeast industrial zone of Piacenza is composed by four clusters between the city and Po River. Each cluster is defined according to the type of industries, services, infrastrcture and the rapid growth of the urban fabric. Even though is an industrial zone, there are some parts intended for housing, commerce and public spaces like the cemetery.and small sport fields. Photo: Google Earth, 2020. A. EMILIA - LEVANTE B. ZONA INDUSTRIALE DEL CAPITOLO

Composed by Ex Centrale Elettrica Emilia as industrial heritage and the Centrale Termoelettrica. Located between the train station and Po river Photo: Google Maps, 2018. Characterized by the presence of the cement production plant and the energy plant as well as some abandoned buildings in the sorroundings . Photo: Google Maps, 2018.

C. ZONA INDUSTRIALE DI LE MOSE D. BORGOFORTE

Described as an important logistic center for the city. It contains a series of discontinuous warehouses, gas stations and commercial buildings. Photo: Google Maps, 2018. Industrial complex focused in the storage, selection and treatment of urban waste water as well as administrative and logistics buildings. Photo: Google Maps, 2018.

SITE ANALYSIS

Data: Authors’ work based on Google Maps and Open Street Maps

TRANSPORTATION

In the area there is already existing bike path system, that needs to be enhanced and filled. The bus connection is well-developed. The entrances to the area needs to be improved, as it is difficult to reach the district by foot or bike. Bus Line Bike Path Current Entrances

URBAN VOIDS AND GREEN AREAS

Part of the urban fabric consists of empty plots, that might be transformed into other functions. Permeable spaces are focused mainly around river and highway. They include agricultural fields as well as small woods and lower greenery. On the other hand the industrial area is characterized by hardscape and concrete. Agriculture Greenary Urban Voids TYPE OF INDUSTRIES

In Piacenza there is a strong presence of industries in the mechanical sector processing machines for removal, automation, equipment and special components, as well as specialized technical services, research, logistics and technological development. Automotive Energy Logistics Construction

Mechanical Plastics Food Processing Others

ABANDONED BUILDINGS

Although the industrial zone is working properly, there are few spaces that are abandoned or unused and prepared for sale. These abandoned areas are decreasing attractiveness of the land, what is significant, when considering its position close to the city border. Abandoned Buildings Underused Buildings

SITE ANALYSIS: WATER

Data: Piano Strutturale Comune di Piacenza: Acque.

WATER NETWORK

The entire area is surrounded by superficial and underground canals that are connected with the city and the Po River. The existing water treatment plant is located in the area Wof Borgoforte, which collects all the water coming from the sewer system of the city and the agricultural areas. Superficial Canals Underground Canals Sewer System Water Treatment Plants

POLLUTING INDUSTRIES

Along the sewer system some industries are discharging contaminants affecing the water quality of the canals. Automotive, plastics, energy and construction are considered the type of industries with the highest number of water polluting discharges as well as gas stations and car wash places. Superficial Canals Underground Canals Sewer System Water Drains in Sewer Polluting Industries Water Treatment Plants Superficial Canal in Via Finarda that is evacuating into the Po River. Photo: Google Earth, 2018.

Water Treatment Plant located in the industrial cluster of Borgoforte. Photo: IREN Acqua, 2018. Po River Flooding of 2011 in the border of the industrial zone of Borfgoforte. Photo: Google Earth, 2011.