P O S S I E D I L O
URBAN AND LANDSCAPE REGENERATION STUDIO Prof. Emanuela Dentis – Environmental Technology Prof. Rossano Bolpagni – General Ecology Prof. Paola Branduini – Landscape as Heritage
Members G r o u p
Laura MC Basil
Parnian Saie
Mana Mahjoubi
0 7
Salma Sajadi
Mahtab Nazemian
Tram Bao Doan
CONTENT 1
3
ANALYSIS
MASTERPLAN
Site Analysis
Masterplan Overview
Challenges
Park Entrance
Tangible Heritage
Entrance Bridge
Intangible Heritage
forest Garden
SWOT Analysis
Arts District
Stakeholder Analysis
Sport & Boating Area Market Waterfront
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STRATEGY Stage of Development Cultural Loop Connection Diagrams Strategy Overview Environmental Strategy
Community Garden Bastion Park
Analysis Piacenza: Historical City
ManinManin Road Road Private Buildings & Private Buildings & Gardens Gardens Main Road
Highway Highway Private Buildings & Gardens
Railway Railway
Highway
Site Border Site Border
Railway
Site Border
This map indicates the areas within the city of Piacenza that are private. This allows us to see areas which are open for public use as well as those areas which are available for public development and infrastructure projects. We then used this as a base for all of our analysis maps.
Ground Map Map Ground ُSCALE 1:1000 ُSCALE 1:1000
Churches Churches
Public Plazza Public Plazza Churches
Auditoriums Auditoriums Public Plaza
Theatres Theatres
Auditoriums
Art Galleries Art Galleries Theatres Art Galleries Historical Landmarks Historical Landmarks Historical Landmarks
School School
School
Museums Museums Museums
Monastery Monastery
Monastery
Site Border SiteSite Border Border
Here we look at the use of public buildings to see what cultural services are already offered in the city, which allows us to determine where
there may be a lack of cultural services and what might be suitable to offer in the development of the waterfront park
Cultural Assesment Cultural Assesment ُSCALEُS1:1000 CALE 1:1000
Riparian AreaArea Riparian
Agricultural AreaArea Agricultural Riparian Area
Urban ParkPark Urban Agricultural Area
Historical Garden Historical Garden
Urban Park
Sport Areas Sport Areas Historical Garden Sport Areas TreeTree Square Square Tree Square
TreeTree LinesLines
Tree Lines
Site Site Border Border Site Border
The Green Area Map shows that there are very few green areas accessible to the public within our study area of Piacenza. The majori-
ty of green spaces are concentrated around the ring near the old city walls, in the riverfront park area and in a few public parks.
Green AreaArea MapMap Green ُSCALEُS1:1000 CALE 1:1000
A1 Active Riverbed A2 Flooded Riverbed A3 Flood Bed with Naturalistic value C1 Catastrophic Floods
Border SiteSite Border Site Border
Based on data found in the Piacenza Municipal PTCP plan we can see the areas of Piacenza that are at risk of flooding. We will consider the areas of A2 Flooded Riverbed and A3 Floodd Bed with Naturalistic value as most crucial to our site plans. Flooding was a natural part of the flow of the river and provided ecological value to
riparian vegetation and wildlife, but as the city developed and grew, the river was contained with walls so that the flooding would be a reduced risk to the city. This has reduced the biodiversity of the riverfront area and overall natural functions of the river.
PTCP Flood Risk PTCP Flood Risk Scale 1:1000 Scale 1:1000
ManinManin Road Road Private Buildings & Private Buildings & Gardens Gardens
Manin Road Manin Road
Highway
Highway Private Buildings & Private Buildings & Gardens Gardens RoadsRoads Highway
Highway
Bus Station Bus Station
RoadsRoads
Bus Stop Cycling Roads Bus Station Cycling Roads Cycling Roads
Cycling Roads Site Border Site Border
Site Border Site Border
From our transportation analysis we can see that there is a lacking of public transportation options to the riverfront, without a bus stop in the riverfront area. The cycle and pedestrian
center to the river are also limited, with only 2 direct routes that lack infrastructure and are unsafe. Developing better connection routes must be a central part of any riverfront project.
routes from the city
Mobility Map Map Mobility Mobility Map ُSCALE 1:1000 ُSCALE ُSCALE 1:10001:1000
GreenGreen Area Area Health Health Green Area
Cultural Cultural Health
Education Education
Cultural
Accomodation Accomodation Education Accomodation Camercial Camercial Camercial
PublicPublic Spaces Spaces
Public Spaces
Mobility Mobility Mobility
Bus Station Bus Station
Bus Station
Site Border SiteSite Border Border
Similarly, to the cultural map, the service map allows us to see what various services are offered already offered and which are lacking
within Piacenza. Piacenza has a good number of educational, cultural and commercial offerings
Service Area Area Service ُSCALE 1:1000 ُSCALE 1:1000
1. Po River 2. Po River Bridge 3. Arena Daturi 4. Civic Museum Palazzo Farnese 5. Forze Armate Esercito 2 Reggimento Genio Pontieri 6. Pontieri 7. Campogiochi del Castello 8. Ancient Wall 9. Military Area 10. San Sisto 11. Piazza Cavalli 12. San Rocco 13. Basilica San Savino 14. Chiesa San Francesco 15. Galleria d’Arte Moderna Ricci Oddi
We identified some of the most important Site of Border landmarks Piacenza
that have the most cultural value, as well as their position in relation
to understand the sites that people visit, those
with the waterfront.
Landmark Map CULTURAL LOOP ُSCALE 1:1000
Piazza CaaliMilitary Piazza CaaliMilitary AreaArea Project Project
Piazza Cavali- Military Area Project
Former Military Former Military Hospital Former Military Hospital
Hospital
Waterfron Project Waterfron Project Waterfron Project CityCity Access CityPoints Access Points Access Points Environmentalization Environmentalization Environmentalization Project Project Project Cultural Protection
Cultural Protection Cultural Protection
Green Enhancement
Green Enhancement Green Enhancement North Station Project State Property North Station Project North Station Project Enhancement Project
State Property Road Access State Property Enhancement Project Enhancement Enhancement Project RoadRoad Access Site Border Access Enhancement Enhancement Here we see how the with the University; the municipality plans to Site Border Green Enhancement Site Border address some of Piaproject can be incorpocenza’s needs and can rated into a pedestrian incorporate these plans and bike route; and the into our strategy for the parking for the North waterfront park. Along Station Project can our access routes, The included for Riverfront Military Pontieri will be parking overflow. a laboratory developed
Future CityCity PlanPlan Future ُSCALE 1:1000 ُSCALE 1:1000
Our tangible heritage can be broken into three categories, historic elements, such as the Church of San Sisto and the Farnese Walls, landscape elements such as the natural vegetation and the River Po, and functional elements such as the railroad and train bridge. Each of these elements also have intangible aspects, but here we focused on their physical aspects.
TANGIBLE HERIHERITAGE TAGE TANGIBLE
Our intangible elements can be broken into categories. We looked at the agricultural and culinary aspects, such as the preparation of products like corn and pancetta since the agriculture is tied closely to the settlement of the city along the river . We then identified historical elements such as the military history, which also relates to the development of the city along the river; and finally the social activities connected to the river such as swimming and fishing.
INTANGIBLE HERI TAGE
To understand how and why the river is disconnected, we identified the these main issues along the two current access paths to the river. These challenges will inform the actions we take as we work to address it.
broken path discontinuity point of confusion apprehension to continue chaotic area characterless path fragmented attention area of insecurity point of interest
PERCEPTION MAP
SYNCHRONIC MAP SYNCHRONIC MAP SYNCHRONIC MAP
The landscape permanencies shown here such as the historical buildings, the old walls and the Po River can serve as celebrated elements of Piacenza’s history to engage citizens and tourists. From that, we can develop the strategy landscape permanencies shown such the historical buildings, the old and the can Po River to protect andThe promote the value of thesehere elements instead ofasdestroying them. The landscape permanencies shown suchhere as the historical buildings, the old walls andwalls the Po River serv as celebrated elements of Piacenza’s history to engage citizens and tourists. From that, we can develop th as celebrated elements of Piacenza’s history to engage citizens and tourists. From that, we can develop the strateg protect and promote valueelements of these elements instead destroying them. T hetothe old to city center system is anthe starting pointofto build of a strategy protects the historical protect and promote the value ofinteresting these instead destroying them. that landscape permanacies while creating new urban green spaces. It will be a challenge to maintain the historic hecity the old citysystem center is an interesting starting point buildusaathat strategy that protects the identity theTold city while infusing a new green identity, but our point synchronic mapatogives clear directive T heofthe center issystem an interesting starting to build strategy protects theof what historica landscape permanacies while new creating new urban green It spaces. be a challenge to maintain historical elements to preserve in our design. landscape permanacies while creating urban green spaces. will be Ita will challenge to maintain the historith the city whileainfusing a new green but identity, but our synchronic a clear directi identity ofidentity the cityofwhile infusing new green identity, our synchronic map givesmap us agives clearusdirective of wha historical elements to preserve in our design. historical elements to preserve in our design.
DIACHRONIC MAPS
1828
1860
1888
1944
1955
2020
1500
1600
1860
1888
1944
1955
DIACHRONIC MAPS WATERFRONT
DIACHRONIC
2020
SYNCHRONIC
STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS
Strategy
Existing Open Green Existing Open Space Green Spaces
Municipality ProjectMunicipality ProjectConnect Conn Green ParkPark Around Old WallOld W Green Around Improving Open Improving OpenSpaces Public Public Spaces Greenway
Greenway Landmarks- Piazza
Landmarks- Piazza
Future Project Area
Future Project Buildings Future Project Area LandmarksHistoric Building Future Project - Buildings Municipality Project
Landmarks- Historic Buildin Highway
Municipality Project Railway
Highway We reviewed and synthesized all of our analysis to develop a strategy, with the main focus on reestablishing the connection to the river, both the physical connection as well as strengthening the identity of Piacenza
as a city of the Po. This will by reducing physical barriers, and utilizing the existing green spaces, landmarks and cultural areas, while adding and improving each of these elements.
Railway
STRATEGY MAP
RECONNECT PLACES RECONNECT PLACES
Rather than tunneling the railroad, which would be expensive and susceptible to flooding, we create several access points across the railroad. We keep the original access point and add two small bridge crossings that allow for pedestrian and cycling crossings, one where we have created a bike trail along the open green area near the northern gate of the city Park Entrance and the other from a new park information center near the rail station parking area, which allows people to park and walk or ride their bike directly into the park. Then there is the main entrance bridge connection. New Connection New Connection Additionally there is a road connection from the Farnese wall passage which widens the existing road and underpasses to provide a safe pedestrian and bicycling route Bike Path These connections allow for the creation of an uninterrupted bike loop that connects the city to the waterfront
RECONNECT PLACES Remove Acess Barrier
DevelopCreat of Clear Remove Acess Creat Clear Routes infrastructure Routes Barrier Remove Acess
Remove train from street level
Remove Barrier Signage & train fromBike &wayfindig & street level
Signage wayfindig
Direct routes
pedestrian cycle routes Remove train fromDirect routes street level Ramp access from piazza Milano Clear
point of access
Park Entrance
New Connection
Clear point of access
Park Entrance Park Entrance
New Connection
Link with green loop around city
Reduce insecureLink with green loop areas along around city routes Link with city’s urban development
Bike Path
Improve unpaved pathes
Develop of infrastructure
Deve infrastr
Creat Clear Bike & Routes pedestrian cycle routes
Bik pede cycle r
Signage & Ramp access from piazza wayfindig Milano
Reduce insecure Direct areas along routes routes
Ramp a from p Mila
Link with city’s urban development
Clear point of Improve access
Redu insec areas a rout
Link with green loop around city
Link city’s develo
unpaved pathes
Strategy D
Impro unpav pathe
Bike Path Bike Path
Strategy Diagrams
Cultural/Historic Loop Diagram routes identified by wayfinding and educational signage that connect the elements we wish to preserve with existing commercial and recreational areas and strengthen this cultural loop by requalifying existing sites and adding points of interest to draw people to the park.
RECONNECT PEOPLE
Link Existing Create Re-stablished Historic & Econimoic River Po Caltural Opportunities Landmarks Core loop leads from Cavalli to waterfront Secondary loop to historic center landmarks
Job
Emphasis on military & agricultural past
Commercial enterprises
Turism
CONNECTION DIAGRAMS
To Lobardia To Milan To Lobardia
Study Area Study Area To Milan
Entrance Area Entrance Area
Study Area Entrance Area
Recreational Area Recreational Area Recreational Area Connection Strategy Connection Strategy
To Piazza Cavali To Piazza Cavali
Enhance Existing Places Enhance Existing Places Enhance Existing Places
Pedestrian Pedestrian
Pedestrian
Existing Connection Existing Connection Existing Connection
Main Access Main Access
To Trebbia To Trebbia
Cycling Road Cycling Road
Cycling Road
Railway Railway
Railway
New Connection New Connection New Connection To Lobardia To Milan To Lobardia
Renovate Vacant SpacesRenovate Vacant Spaces Renovate Vacant Spaces
To Milan
Key Access Points Key Access Points Key Access Points
Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge Pedestrian & Bicycle Bridge To Piazza Cavali To Piazza Cavali
STRATEGY OVERVIEW STRATEGY OVERVIEW
To Lobardia
A’ A
To Milan
Connection Strate To Piazza Cavali
Main Acce
To Trebbia To Lobardia
To Milan
Pedestrian & Bicycle Bri BIKE LOOP SECTION SOFT MOBILITY
To Piazza Cavali
Strategy Masterplan
SECTIONS
Ecological Strategy: Cores & Patches
Low Biodiversity The patches shown here are mostly low-biodiversity grassy areas maintained as lawns or mono-crop agriculture. Even core areas, such as along the riverfront have only a few species of trees and shrubs.
Fragementation The city center lacks public green areas, with vegetation mostly within private courtyards and gardens. Very little grass or trees exist in the public streets.
Paved Urban Center The city center lacks public green areas, with vegetation mostly within private courtyards and gardens. Very little grass or trees exist in the public streets.
Disconnection The green ring around the city is disconnected, offering only patches of green and interuptions in the bicycle and pedestrian pathways.
The Challenges
We analyzed the quality of green spaces by determining which undevelope spaces were corea areas with higher levels of biodiversity and plantings of dense trees and understory, and those areas which were lower biodiversity, such as those with monocrop agricultural areas and green spaces dominated by only a few grass species that serve as lawns. From there we could determine where and how the higher value ecological areas were fragmented: by roads, urban development, or otherwise.
Core Area Patch Roads Buildings
Ecological Strategy: The Green Loop Ecological Cooridor Spaces in between core areas can be connected by infilling with trees and shrubs to create an ecological cooridor along the riverfront.
Larger Core Areas Here we suggest adding vegetation to the most densely vegetated area of the waterfront park. This would increase the area of habitat for wildife in the park as well as improve biodiversity.
The most important aspect of our ecological strategy is educating the public about the ecological benefits of nature and the value of the River Po ecosystem. We do this with construction of an environmental center where abandoned buildings once stood and adding educational signage throughout the park. Then we focus on creating a green loop which increases vegetation along the bike and pedestrian routes that will connect to the waterfront. Finally, improving biodiversity and increasing begetation as an overall coordinated effort to improve the ecological function of the river with other municipalites along the Po.
Increase Biodiversity Adding an understory of a variety of shrubs in the areas with established trees will increase the biodiversity in already planted areas. Erosion Prevention Planting water loving species like cattails and reeds will help to secure the soil along the embankment and prevent erosion.
Vegetation Along Connection Routes Adding trees along the streets that will be the main connection to the park will make for a more pleasant walking and cycling route, providing shade along the streets in the summer and adding beauty as well as ecological benefits.
Legend Existing vegetation Proposed Trees Proposed Shrubs
Forest Garden & Environmetnal Center This area is further from the flood zone and so a wider variety of vegetation can be planted. This area will be a mini-forest garden with existing trees, shading loving plants in the lower canopy and sun loving herbacious plants and shubs in the places where we will remove the abandonedd builings An environmental center will provide classes, host speaking events, and provide a space for learning about the ecology about the River Po and the riverftont park.
Ecological Strategy: The Species Species suited for riparian environments
Ulnus minor
Alnus glutinosa
Existing vegetation (in grey): Salix alba
Ecological Cooridor Connecting existing core areas like the the Salix alba trees planted along the river with other riparian species can create an uninterupted ecological cooridor providing food, habitat and protection for wildife and pollinator species.
Phragmite australis Typha ssp Existing vegetation (in grey): Salix alba
Reducing Erosion These emergent species can be planted along the embankment to cover the soil and help prevent erosion while riparian species with deep roots can eventually be planted in tandem with a concerted river restoration effort.
Mesasurements of Dense Vegetation Areas These are species that are suited for riparian areas and moist levels of soil. Some can have ornamental value, as well as provide blooms for pollinator species. The existing trees in this area may provide some flood protection for new saplings as they become established and once establish, a dense core area will be less suceptible to invasive species. Sambucus negra Frangola alnus Viburnum opulus Existing vegetation (in grey): Populas nigra
Increasing Biodiversity The existing row of Populus nigra trees that lines the path through the park can be intermixed with smaller trees and larger shrubs such as Viburnum opulus, Frangola alnus, and sambucus negra which will all increase biodiversity and add beauty.
HISTORIC BASTION
Historic Bastion and Entrance Info center We Have created a central area to create an inviting passageway to the park. It begins with an under-utilized parking lot turned into a plaza that
connects to the park from the urban commercial center. Across the street from the plaza is the park visitor center which maintains the historical building here requalifying it as a
park service center that highlights the history of the bastion, but also provides information of the parks features and history of the riverfront.
CULINARY CENTER
Here we have placed a restaurant and culinary center which has been built where an abandoned building stood. This highlights the local cuisine from Piacenza’s heritage and agricultural
history, an important part of the city’s history, serving as a kind of culinary museum.
SKATEPARK
In an effort to activate the space for young people we created a skatepark in the otherwise unused portion underneath the bridge. This also serves as an extension of the sports area which
features a basketball and football field as well as a children’s play area. This requalified sports area, with the new expansion under the highway, offers additional activities for the waterfront park.
UNDERPASS ARTS DISTRICT
The area under the bridge offers opportunities to enhance the cultural loop by providing an arts and performance space. Though Piacenza has many historic cultural sites and some
theaters, there aren’t many arts center for young people. The area underneath the bridge has been renovated and well-lit and now holds performance events an open theater as well as
outdoor exhibitions. It brings the art gallery outside and considers the open public spaces in the post-covid era. The abandoned buildings that are in disrepair have been taken down
and one has been rebuilt to serve as additional indoor arts and music venue for quieter or poor weather events. From here visitors can stroll through the wooded area or connect back
to the entrance plaza and recreational area or continue on to the waterfront.
RELAXING AREA
Relaxing area here are areas to sit and enjoy some open views of the water with steps and ramps to a terraced deck. This area is built on an existing grassy area and therefore does
not remove existing vegetation. From our analysis we found a lack of sitting and picnicking areas, which are favorite activities of those who visit the waterfront. This area, as well as the
promenade, can also provide a space for fishing, which is another popular riverfront activity.
WATERFRONT PROMENADE
In this area the walkway begins, which allows people to pass down to a floating dock and enjoy the river. The promenade floats like a boat dock to preserve the slope and existing vege-
tation. On land there are some open spaces for picnicking but existing vegetation is still maintained. Here existing ecological conditions will be improved with vegetation that can be estab-
lished over time while the public is educated about ecology and can find signage that identifies the natural flora and fauna found here.
Boat Dock and Market Area
BOAT DOCK
When visitors reach the waterfront boating area they can rent kayaks and canoes or unload their own boat from the
loading ramp. Here is a small parking area for people with accessibility challenges to access the waterfront. Passing through from the boating area visitors can connect to the culinary
history of Piacenza by meeting and supporting the local farmers and producers at in the market area in this open space.
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T H A N K
Y O U