EUKN - Italy - URBAN II MOLA DI BARI. Enhancement of the cooperation between institution and social groups to promote the socio-economic regeneration

URBAN II MOLA DI BARI. Enhancement of the cooperation between institution and social groups to promote the socio-economic regeneration - Mola di Bari, IT

Introduction

The objective of the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme is to implement an integrated strategy to promote cooperation among institutions and social groups in order to enhance the socio-economic regeneration of the city centre and the urban surrounding areas.

Problem

The URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme covers the urban area of Mola di Bari town. The area includes three geographically separate historic neighbourhoods. Two of them are located in the coastline, and the other one is located on a hill. These districts, developed after the Second World War without following a Municipal Development Plan, suffer from several social and economic problems, such as high long-term unemployment, crime, decaying buildings and public spaces, environmental damages, and lack of infrastructure (e.g. water, electricity, refuse collection, sewerage, roads).

Description

The main aims of the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme are:

to improve the quality of cultural services
to enhance the artistic and cultural heritage
to stimulate economy for entrepreneurial development, yielding growth, cohesion and social cooperation in the municipal areas
to promote innovation in local strategic areas such as cultural assets and transport
to enhance sustainable actions for environment development, such as the ones implemented to reduce greenhouse effects and to improve sustainability in exploiting natural resources.

Approach

The URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme is based on an integrated approach combining physical and socio-economic interventions.
Its strategy is based on actions aimed to renew buildings and open areas, environmental infrastructure (e.g. water purification), natural and cultural heritage. Moreover, the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme supports small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the development of the harbour. Furthermore, many interventions concern the enhancement of the tourism sector and local crafts in order to implement new services and stimulate tourism and cultural activities. These actions promote the enhancement of social economy, social services and training to facilitate access to the labour market for disadvantaged groups.

Results

The main results reached by the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme are connected to the following actions:

the revampement of important squares, green areas and streets (e.g. Piazza degli eroi and the Giardini di Don Pedro)
the renewal of important historic buildings, such as the Municipality building and the Santa Chiara monastry
the provision of incentives for artisan activities implemented in the town centre
the promotion of tourist services and cultural activities in order to improve the city attractiveness
the provision of training for creating SMEs and cottage industry professionals
the promotion of professional training for immigrants and other disadvantaged people.

Beneficiaries

The final beneficiary of the intervention is the City of Mola di Bari.

Resources used

The total amount of the intervention is 22 million euros. The European Regional Development Fund co-finances the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme for 9 million euros, while the national public participation is of 19 million euros.

EU involvement

Within the framework of the Community Initiative Programmes, the URBAN II Mola di Bari Programme is in line with the European Union main features. In fact, it promotes the implementation of innovative strategies for sustainable economic and social regeneration of a medium-sized town.

Contact info

Ministry for Infrastructure
Ms. Daniela Versino

Project start date

07/03/2001

Planned end date

31/12/2008

Links

Ministry for Infrastructure (in Italian)City of Mola di Bari (in Italian)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Keywords

City centre development

Institutional characteristics Private Sector