Borgo Roma: urban regeneration starts from the “neighborhood factory” project.
Citizen involvement and micro-interventions to improve the quality of life: an innovative model for the future of Verona.
Borgo Roma: urban regeneration starts from the “neighborhood factory” project.
The Municipality of Verona and the association Cocai, together with other third sector entities, have experimented with an innovative model of citizen participation that becomes prototype for future interventions in other neighborhoods. Among the initiatives implemented: the creation of pedestrian crossings at dangerous points reported by residents, the redevelopment of a beach volleyball court in a week, and a documentary film on Borgo Roma.
The aim of the project was to improve the quality of life in the Borgo Roma neighborhood, working on the relationship between community and urban space. Starting from the people who live in the neighborhood, the project has mapped the territory to create aware citizens through participatory micro-interventions and reversible, capable of improving individual and collective well-being.
Among the activities promoted:
- Road safety education with the adoption of pedestrian crossings at dangerous points;
- Production of a documentary film on the neighborhood;
- Redevelopment of the beach volleyball court;
- Cultural activities such as the narration of the self and interiority.
Funded by Fondazione Cariverona through the call Community Actions, the project was developed between 2021 and 2024 thanks to the collaboration with the Municipality of Verona and numerous associations, including Social Energy, Agile, The Falies, Verona FabLab, Reverse e Cosp Verona.
La deputy mayor Barbara Bissoli, Councilor for Urban Planning, expressed appreciation for the project, calling it an example of urban innovation based on the participation and activation of citizens. During the assembly of November 18, 2023, dedicated to the revision of the Land Use Plan, the project was presented as a model of good practices thanks to the call “City Ferments”.
A successful pilot project
Launched in the summer of 2021 on the initiative of the Cocai Aps association, composed of architects, urban planners and engineers, the project focused on urban transformation and social innovation through experimental initiatives. The architects Michael DeMori e Francesco Avesani, project coordinators, stressed the importance of involving young people between 16 and 35 years old, who are often difficult to engage.
The President of the Urban Planning Commission, Pietro Giovanni Trincanato, reiterated the importance of collecting the legacy of the project, ensuring the support of the administration to give continuity to these innovative actions.
A community model for the future
The project played a key role in the regeneration of the Link space in via Bendetti, becoming a point of reference for active community participation.
As explained by De Mori: “Borgo Roma was chosen for its urban and social transformation, with a strong presence of immigrants. It was an excellent case to prototype the project and the relationships between associations, residents and local authorities.”
Avesani added that the project included tactical urban planning e gender urban planning, demonstrating that the quality of urban life can improve even with minimal material interventions.
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