Outlying neighbourhoods: revisiting the city within the city
In the past they were considered disadvantageous 'non-places' or simple dormitories. But the Italian suburbs can shine again, even from a green perspective.
Le periphery of Italian cities are experiencing one small revolution. What was once synonymous with economic and social hardship, lack of services and educational poverty, today represents aunique opportunity for those who wish to escape the bustle of the metropolis and live a more relaxed and often more convenient life. The spread of smart working and the increase of house prices in the central areas has pushed many people to reconsider the suburbs, which, thanks to new investments and the desire to create solid communities, are transforming themselves into welcoming and innovative places.
New investments for peripheral neighborhoods
Il National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr), now known at a national level, is the tool that is contributing to the relaunch of urban suburbs through the initiative called "Integrated Urban Plans". This measure is aimed at financing projects aimed at improve the conditions of peripheral areas of large cities, reducing situations of degradation and deprivation. In 2022, an interministerial decree assigned approximately 2,8 billion of Pnrr funds to finance interventions in different areas of the territory. In total, they are 31 the plans that will receive funding, thus paving the way for a radical transformation of these urban areas.
Thanks to the investments of the Pnrr, interventions are taking shape urban regeneration, which include recovery, renovation and sustainable redevelopment of building structures and public areas. Particular attention is paid toenergy and water efficiency of buildings, thus promoting environmental protection and contributing to a cost reduction for residents.
Not just the buildings, but also the urban fabric of the suburbs will be the subject of targeted interventions, aimed at reduction of land consumption. Through strategic demolition and reconstruction operations, the aim is to optimize spaces, creating green areas and places of socialization.
Another aspect on which these investments will be concentrated concerns the development of projects related to Smart cities. The suburbs will have the opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge solutions in the field of transport and efficiency in the use of energy resources.
Suburban neighborhoods and the challenge of sustainability
With a smart and far-sighted approach, the suburbs can become the beating heart of the 'city within the city', offering large spaces and a less hectic life compared to metropolitan chaos. However, the transformation of the suburbs cannot ignore attention towards environmental sustainability. It is essential to undertake a path that goes beyond simple urban regeneration.
The creation of cutting-edge infrastructure it is the link between the future of the suburbs and the environment that surrounds us. Roads, cycle paths and car parks must no longer be just banal concrete paths, but must be designed and built with an eye towards sustainability. It's time to embrace environmentally friendly solutions, using materials recyclable and draining, capable of guaranteeing a mobility sectors really"green".
Through this sustainable revolution, the peripheral neighborhoods will be able to become not only a place to live, but an authentic model of life and true protagonists of a greener and more livable city for everyone. Because as he says Renzo Piano, "the suburbs are a factory of ideas, it is the city of the future".
