The URBAN II Taranto Programme is addressed to an area involving the gulf near Taranto and including the opposite island. Due to the geographic landscape, the urban transport service causes increasing problems to environment and urban mobility. One side of the gulf is characterised by workers' neighbourhoods (Porta Napoli and Tamburi districts) that are located close to the iron and steel industries. On the other side of the gulf there is a 19th century, deprived suburb (Borgo district) where other kind of industries were located. These suburbs experienced long-term unemployment, a high crime rate, poverty, air and soil pollution and a high concentration of elderly people and immigrants. The historical centre of Taranto, located in the island, was abandoned after the Second World War.

The overall objective of the URBAN II Taranto Programme is to implement a strategy to promote a sustainable regeneration of the city centre and of the surrounding areas. Thus, its main aims are the restoration of historic buildings and regeneration of green areas, the enhancement of public transports service, as well as the renewal of the harbour. Moreover, the URBAN II Taranto Programme aims at strengthening the economic features of the town and regenerating entrepreneurial abilities, through supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improving tourism and trade, supporting disadvantaged people and promoting their integration in the labour market.

The URBAN II Taranto Programme is based on an integrated approach combining physical and socio-economic interventions. The Programme wishes to launch the social change through urban renewal and regeneration. The urban renewal interventions aim to restore old buildings of the city centre (called “l’isola-città vecchia”, “the island-old city”) and provide training for the restoration of historic buildings, in order to enhance the quality of public cultural heritage. Moreover, the Programme implemented many projects concerning the public transport development, the creation of environmental corridors, and pedestrian networks, maritime transport and the development of the harbour.

Some of the most relevant physical interventions are:

These actions promoted the economic growth of the area through the establishment of new commercial activities (e.g. bookshops, services and trade activities, restaurants and bars). Moreover, the Programme implemented training and educational activities concerning the enhancement of cultural heritage and the promotion of maritime tourism.

The final beneficiary of the intervention is the Municipality of Taranto, its citizens, tourists and all the stakeholders benefiting from the urban, social, infrastructural and economic revampment of the target area.

The total amount of the intervention is of 40 million euros. The European Regional Development Fund co-finances the URBAN II Taranto Programme for 15 million euros, the national public participation is 18 million euros of which 6 million euros are private funds.

Within the framework of the Community Initiative Programmes, the Taranto 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.

Ministry for Infrastructure
Ms. Daniela Versino

01/11/2001

31/12/2008

case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

City centre development