EUKN - Urban Matrix - Ex railway deposit of Sant ERASMO

Ex railway deposit of Sant ERASMO

Introduction

This project consisted of activities to promote Palermo through the development of a urban space to use for art exhibitions and cultural activities. The area was designed as a tool for urban regeneration tourism promotion and through cultural events.

Problem

Encouraging dynamic relation between culture and territory, through activities such as creation of art exhibition (Biennale Architettura di Palermo 2006),

Improve public/private synergies

Realization of artistic products that can represent real opportunities for increasing tourisism to the city;
Enhancement of life quality by giving citizens the opportunity to attend cultural events taylored to their needs.

Description

An abandoned area of the city center originally used as a railway deposit area has been regenerated with architecture and design work. The regenerated spaces is mainly used for cultural and art activities (music concert, entertainment, design exhibition, photo exhibition,...)
The site is a strategic place situated between sea and old part of the city. The regeneration work was linked to the regeneration of another area of urban and social decay in historic city center (Kalsa old urban area).

Approach

The area has been seen as a strategic site for cultural events, able to give the city district a new footprint and to revitilize the cultural and economic life. The process involved th local citizen living in the area where the regeneration would take place in order to support the local economy and promote social cohesion.

Study and analysis of identified urban area;
Planning of the actions (from public work to cultural planning);
Draft of a planning scheme foreseeing archetectural recovery
Draft of an economic framework fro regeneration (coffee bar, restaurants)
Arrangement of a specially provided cultural project;
Involvement of prestigious names of national/international architecture.

Results

Rebranding a city area burdened by marginalization and social exclusion phenomena. Inhabitants regaining pride in the area in which they live
Improving of small scale economy of local people living in the area music concert, theatre performances, art exhibition, cinema, during summers in Palermo.

Contact info

www.comune.palermo.it

Project start date

//2001

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Keywords

Urban renewal