Gratosoglio, Urban Kaleidoscope

A C R E AT I V E U R B A N V I L L A G E

GRATOSOGLIO VISION

“LITERIS FACERE”

Hala Abuelgassim | Gideon Azunre | Sharon De Andrade | Thein Sowrirajan | Yalda Golmakani

ABSTRACT The problem of poverty in Gratosoglio runs very deep, pulling residents into an unbreakable poverty trap. The youth are at the highest risk because they come to terms with their “inevitable fate” therefore losing their desire to aspire, further their education, or pursue professional goals. The Urban Kaleidoscope project analyzes the neighborhood through a different lens, looking past the poverty and degradation. The community’s colors and patterns come alive as they collide with each other, continously taking new forms through the fusion. We see a community comprised of people from different walks of life, rich in culture with strong potential for unleashing the creativity that lies within. Our vision for Gratosoglio is a place that celebrates multiculturalism and promotes unconventional methods of learning through arts and culture. A place to share, inspire, experiment and develop a counterculture within the city. A place that attracts creative people with an entrepreneurial spirit, infusing new energy into the local economy.

We seek to accomplish this by establishing a system of connected spaces with unique identities that will serve as landmarks for the community. These “nodes” will each have a certain theme, creating a sense of place for residents and visitors alike. A new Gratosoglio is much more than just a place to live, but a place where there is life.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD Gratosoglio is a large public housing estate on the outskirts of Milan built in the early 1960s as an autonomous neighborhood featuring a modernist-style layout composed of 52 linear buildings and 8 towers that are arranged along a central roadway, Via Baroni. Its iconic ‘Torri Bianche’ – a series of 8 towers each 56 meters high, developed by the prestigious BBPR group – have become a staple of the community.

Until the mid-70s, Gratosoglio had a very active social life, but the economic crisis of that decade caused a sharp decline in the neighborhood’s vitality, as drug-related crime and violence began to emerge.1 As the situation worsened in the following decades, today, Gratosoglio is characterized as a peripheral neighborhood with a deteriorated social fabric and desolate urban spaces. Although there are a good mix of services that support the residents such as sport facilities, cultural and recreational areas and social services, it’s still not enough to prevent the degradating state of Gratosoglio.

The major problems that affect Gratosoglio are poverty, degradation and unmotivated youth.

As of 2017, the unemployment rate in the neighborhood was quoted at 11% (4% higher

than the Milan average). In terms of education levels, only 11% of inhabitants possess a college degree, significantly lower than the city’s overall average.2 According to an ALER Milano representative, problems that the organization is faced with on a daily basis are late rental payment by tenants (delays of several months) and squatting in vacant apartments.3 The problem of poverty in the neighborhood runs on a much deeper level, though, as it pulls residents into a poverty trap – a situation which causes poverty to continue to persist from generation to generation. Through interviews conducted with local actors, adult residents expressed a strong discontent with the state of the neighborhood and a possessed a sense of hopelessness for its future. This sense of hopelessness naturally gets absorbed by the younger generations, leading them to accept their “inevitable fate.” A large portion of the youth lack the desire to aspire, further their education, or pursue professional goals. This negative mindset superimposes itself on the entire community, contributing further towards the unbreakable poverty cycle.

STARTING POINT FAMILY LIVING IN LOW INCOME

FAMILY EXPENSES EXCEED WAGES

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1 Gratosoul. Il Quartiere. Web. 2 NIL Gratosoglio-Ticinello, Comune di Milano, 2017. Web. 3 Marina Antonelli, ALER Lombardia. Engineer. 2019. Personal Interview.

4 Comune di Milano. Bilancio Partecipativo. Riqualificazione Area a Verde Fiume Lambro. Web.

URBAN KALEIDOSCOPE Looking deeper behind the physical and social decay of the neighborhood, we see Gratosoglio through a different lens: as an urban kaleidoscope. Its colors and patterns come alive as they collide with each other.

The colors represent the inhabitants, whose cultural diversity reflect off each other, producing new combinations of colors and patterns – continuously changing. These interesting and beautiful forms take shape through the fusion of customs, languages, religions and culinary traditions found within the community. These beautiful forms can only be seen, though, if looked at through a new perspective, looking past the image of poverty and degradation that sits on the surface. We see a community comprised of people from different walks of life, rich in culture with strong potential for unleashing the creativity that lies within.

How can we break the poverty trap and create autonomy among the disadvantaged youth while removing the neighborhood’s negative stigma?

THE VISION A CREATIVE URBAN VILLAGE The vision for a new Gratosoglio is a place that celebrates multiculturalism and promotes unconventional methods of learning through arts and culture. A place to share, inspire, experiment and develop a counterculture within the city. A place that attracts creative people with an entrepreneurial spirit, infusing new energy into the local economy.

The creative urban village concept is more than just a neighborhood, but a complex ecosystem that combines creativity and territory.

Residents have a strong sense of community – a “we” feel. Their relation is intimate despite cultural differences. They lead a simple life.

They are co-operative, hard-working and hospitable. Their complex social networks are what make them feel like they are all part of the same community.

WHY THE ARTS IN GRATOSOGLIO? Art is the expression of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated for their beauty and emotional power. It helps shape a community’s identity, reflecting feelings and desires, while revealing an inner vision. It instills meaning and creates transformative experiences. It serves as powerful means of community mobilization, creating a strong sense of belonging.

THE VISION PROCESS

INSPIRE the youth of Gratosoglio to develop their skillsets and self-esteem through the arts. The focus in this phase will be placed primarily on youth between the ages of 13 and 23, as they are in transition from childhood to early adulthood, and further developing the way they relate to the world.

ENCOURAGE the youth to invest their talent into the community. The targeted age group in this phase will be between the ages of 24 and 30, as they are in the prime age for exploring entrepreneurship opportunities.

ATTRACT investment to infuse new energy into the local economy.

ACHIEVE a state of autonomy and sustain the life of the community.

FOSTERING ASPIRATION: NEIGHBORHOOD ROLE MODELS After many visits and interviews in the neighborhood, we were able to collect information about success stories of young people who have grown up there and could serve as potential role models for the rest of the youth. We have identified some tools that could serve as a way of inspiring the young population of Gratosolio

from the ages of 13-30, in order to make them capable of recreating these models themselves. These tools include: • co-working spaces • living labs • local entrepreneurship • public art

AREAS OF INTERVENTION The major elements that comprise the creative urban village ecosystem are creative spaces, creative people and a creative economy. These elements interweave as part of a nexus, serving as the foundation of the neighborhood revival plan. The plan framework consists of three overarching goals, each geared towards an element of the nexus and accompanying strategies, followed by place-specific actions.

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GOAL 1 | CREATIVE SPACES

Create inclusive spaces where arts, culture and education coexist • a Define new spaces as landmarks with unique identities and functions • b Create multifunctional coworking spaces • c Establish clear pedestrian linkages that break down physical and visual barriers, and employ traffic calming strategies d • Provide co-living and transitional housing for recent grads, traveling/ up-and-coming artists, etc e • Incorporate temporary and permanent cultural programming • f Temporary and public art projects on all mediums g • Incorporate digital technologies through design and activities • h Break the existing visual monotony of the building scheme

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GOAL 2 | CREATIVE PEOPLE

Stimulate civic participation, experimentation and mobilization of new ideas • a Encourage civic participation in designing public spaces and exploring creative skillsets • b Collaborate with local organizations and businesses for professional opportunities • c Increase ecological awareness and naturalist learning • d Promote public prototyping through all mediums

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GOAL 3 | CREATIVE ECONOMY

Nurture local entrepreneurship and attract creative talent • a Launch a grassroots neighborhood revival marketing campaign (#GratoRinato) • b Activate ground floors by introducing temporary and permanent uses • c Promote collaborative working environments • d Provide financial and developmental support for start-up initiatives

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THE CONCEPT THE CREATIVE SPINE Following site studies and discovering an extensive amount of vacant lots, green spaces and plazas that are unused in multiple locations, an analytical study was conducted to identify a network of neighborhood streets and spaces within Gratosoglio that can together develop a Creative Spine. To develop the Creative Spine, the area was studied on the following parameters: • Presence of environmental or physical features (e.g. Lambro Meridionale River, church) • Existing activities and its associated spaces (existing playgrounds/shops/retail, etc.)

• Ease of accessibility to the tram stops (distance and time required to access these available spaces) • Connectivity to junctions, other bus stops • Proximity to a maximum number of buildings to provide inclusive recommendations to all its residents These additional layers of physical features, proximity, existing use and maximum coverage of building units were all cross-referenced with identified under-utilized space maps and weighed against concerns of privacy to residents and neighborhood approved noise levels. The priority was to enhance the natural rhythm of the space. Each tactical input was thus carefully considered to avoid any perverse results.

Subsequently, the creative spine was designed surrounding main themes such as retail, natural escape, sports & wellness, arts & education, and residences for artists, depending on its distinct spatial-economic processes along the axis. Each node was made to correspond to its surrounding environment and then improved upon by numerous site studies and data gathering. For example, the idea to develop a multi-layered platform with an exchange of indoor and outdoor system of hubs were

influenced by observing the young adults of Gratosoglio who did not believe in conventional methods of classroom learning.

The Avenue was consciously placed in the north end as it had the maximum potential to pull passersby into the neighborhood and move them along the spine for its combination with maximum footfall, pre-existing retail function, and ease of access to the tram stop. Alternatively, the Roots, located on the southern end with the least footfall (in this context) was chosen to provide artists residentships, co-working spaces, and temporary housing. The Playscape model was enhanced by conducting interviews with the local kids and mothers who prefer a certain sport over the other or complain about lighting and safety in the existing park. Moving towards the western edge of the neighborhood, the Lambro Meridionale River, which should be labeled as one of the luxuries of Gratosoglio, was remarkably overlooked and not inserted in the general ways of life of Gratosoglio residents.

Thus, specific attempts were made to spatially and functionally incorporate the river under the ‘nature and wellness’ model as the Waterfront.

VIA BARONI STREETSCAPE REDESIGN The redesign of Via Baroni will transform it into a street that prioritizes the safety and comfort of pedestrians. The pedestrian paths will be well-lit and the pavement will have accessible slopes and gradients and be free of obstructions. The sidewalks are consisted of four zones: (1) the frontage zone for entryways and doors or sidewalk cafes and sandwich boards; (2) the pedestrian through zone with colorful and dynamic pavements; (3) the street furniture zone for furniture and amenities, such as lighting, benches, utility poles, tree pits, trash bins and bicycle parking; and (4) the enhancement/buffer zone for cycle tracks that connects all the nodes.

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THE ROOTS

PLAYSCAPE PIAZZA KALEIDO sports + wellness art + education

ROOTS artists quarter

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THE AVENUE RETAIL

THE AVENUE

CURRENT STATE Via Baroni is the main street and entrance to the neighborhood. It is a street without joy: many closed store fronts, activities inside the shops and restaurants are not visible and uninviting. The building façades surrounding the street are renovated but are soulless. The pedestrian path is wide enough but not dynamic. We aim to give life and livability to this street.

NEW IDENTITY A commercial trail providing for shopping - using the multicultural and educational assets to create a good shopping street with a weekly market in the neighborhood featuring locally-sourced and locallygrown agricultural goods.

PROGRAMMING Weekly Street Market ACTORS L’Impronta ( Ri.Abi.La)

INTERVENTIONS 1. 1. Open ground floors onto the street with windows and entrances to allow interaction, commerce and life. Façades and storefronts should be designed to cater to the eye level of pedestrians.

2. Provide sidewalk cafes to foster street life.

It also has the potential to increase business along a corridor.

3. Identify pedestrian crossing points and create pedestrian safety islands and intersections.Identify pedestrian crossing points and create pedestrian safety islands and intersections.

4. Use colored asphalt, street art and urban furniture to give more character to the area.

5. Create a safe atmosphere and variation with effect lighting.

6. Extend the weekly street market to the Avenue. Partner with Ri.Abi.La. to feature some of their goods from their local facility.

7. Use vertical speed control elements to manage traffic speeds and reinforce pedestrian-friendly, safe speeds.

Street Market Outdoor Seating Facade Restoration Pedestrian Realm Bike Lane Street Art Landscaping

Public Art

BUILDING FACADE RESTORATION + BIKE TRAIL

OUTDOOR SEATING

STREET MARKETS

STREET ART + LANDSCAPING

THE WATERFRONT NATURAL ESCAPE

CURRENT STATE The Lambro Meridionale River is physically and visually blocked by a tall fence, preventing residents to reap the benefits of the river’s presence. Additionally, the green space alongside the fence is a wasted space, as it possesses strong potential to attract neighborhood life if only it would be activated and made more accessible to the rest of the neighborhood.

NEW IDENTITY A natural refuge providing for relaxation, naturalistic learning, and exploration along the Lambro Meridionale River.

PROGRAMMING Food pop-up events, naturalist workshops, monthly potted plant giveaways ACTORS Scuola Arcadia, Kandinsky Institute, Agrivis L’Impronta, Communita’ Oklahoma, Legambiente

ATERFRONT THE W NATURAL ESCAPE

INTERVENTIONS 1. Install a pedestrian bridge and extend the bike trail on the opposite side of the river.

Connect to the existing bike A pedestrian bridge would increase accessibility to the bike trail from the neighborhood and viceversa.

2. Establish an Art Riverwalk experience.

Construct a walking path along the river featuring public art installations. Art installations will be created primarily by students from Scuola Arcadia, Kandinsky Institute and other local youth.

3. Establish an urban farm. Partner with Agrivis L’Impronta to establish and manage an urban farm near the river. Local youth will assist in planting and harvesting.

Harvested crops will be donated to volunteers and Communita Oklahoma.

Naturalist workshops will feature river explorations and lessons on healthy living, in collaboration with Legambiente.

4. Restore the existing mini amphitheater to serve as an attractive meeting place for youth and small performances.

Mini Ampitheater Outdoor Living Room Pedestrian Bridge Art Riverwalk Urban Farm Public Art

PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE + BIKE TRAIL EXTENSION

ART RIVERWALK

URBAN FARM

MINI AMPITHEATER RESTORATION

THE PLAYSCAPE SPORTS + WELLNESS

CURRENT STATE The playscape is currently made up of the following elements: Gratobowl, mini football park, dog park, children’s play area, mini park with benches, and self-created footpaths. However, the area lacks life and vitality and is disorganized which affects optimal relaxation and enjoyment. The features will be maintained but improved in terms of design and light interventions, such as maintenance of the Gratobowl.

NEW IDENTITY An area dedicated to active recreation for people of all ages with a strong focus on sports and fitness.

PROGRAMMING Sport Events, Community Picnics, Group Fitness Training ACTORS Vismara Sport Association, Chiesa S. Maria, CAM, Lo Scrigno, Communita Oklahoma

THE PL AYSCAPE SPORTS + WELLNESS

INTERVENTIONS 1. Widen and create more pedestrian walkway and make more disability friendly to allow entry from different sides.

2. Open up bike lanes running through the playscape to allow for easy permeability and mobility.

3. Install lighting along walkways to encourage use of facilities at night. The neighbourhood coalition will be in charge of maintenance.

4. Install an outdoor gym/fitness/exercise area with equipment.

5. The existing football mini-field will be widened to be used for both basketball and football. Partner with Vismara Sport Association to organize sporting activities and host scouting programmes for youth interested in pursuing a sporting career.

6. Improve the signage and directional elements of the playscape.

7. Coordinate with Chiesa S. Maria, CAM, Communita Oklahoma, Lo Scrigno, CAM and its other nearby offices to utilize the playscape for sports and wellness training activities.

Signage + Info Nodes Outdoor Fitness Area Multipurpose Playcourt Path Widening Contours Lighting

Picnic Area Path Extension Public Art

WALKING PATH + SIGNAGE + LIGHTING

MULTIPURPOSE PLAY COURT

OUTDOOR GYM + FITNESS AREA

PIAZZA KALEIDO ARTS + EDUCATION

CURRENT STATE The piazza between towers 51 and 52 is a large underutilized area of about 2,000 sq.m. The piazza lies above a parking lot (owned by ALER).

Most activity occurs near the Bar Saponaro on the southern edge. Other visitors include students who study at Lo Scrigno Cooperativa.

NEW IDENTITY A hub that will serve as a Living Lab for youth who are looking for inspiration and physical spaces that foster non-conventional learning. The new spaces will include a more open system of uses, colorful and incorporating a mix of learning and working spaces serving as the heart of Gratosoglio.

PROGRAMMING Art Festivals, art workshops, pop-up performances ACTORS CAM, Chiesa S. Maria, Lo Scrigno, Kandinsky Institute, Bar Saponaro

PIAZZA KALEIDO ARTS + EDUCATION

INTERVENTIONS 1. Develop a system of multi-level plazas that are pre-determined in some areas, like the living labs, and other parts where the free flow of use and movement are provided.

2. The new terraces accommodate working rooms and community gatherings. Partner with the owner of Bar Saponaro to assist in working closely with youth that want to become entrepreneurs. Provide work shadowing and training opportunities with other nearby businesses.

3. New green areas will spatially increase privacy but at the same time allow for the more open planning system.

4. The activities observed at Lo Scrigno Cooperativa provided the inspiration for co-learning spaces that can conduct art workshops and new pedagogical methods.

Partner with Lo Scrigno, CAM and Kandinsky Institute in the preparation of new vocational training methods in the public space.

5. Coliving/cohousing will be provided in existing apartments reserved for youth between the ages of 24 and 30.

Walking Path Study Rooms Art Installations Co-Working/Learning Performance Space Commercial Spaces Working Spaces Cohousing/Coliving

Cohousing Public Art

THE ROOTS ARTISTS QUARTER

THE ROOTS

CURRENT STATE The space is an abandoned area that serves as a passage between the terminal tram stop and the neighborhood. A place that once served as an ancient Roman road, what is left now from the past is the Cascina Ronchettino – part of which has been converted into a restaurant.

The Cascina is also occupied by the Gratosoglio Autogestita (GTA), and another portion of the building is used occasionally as a gathering space for the elderly.

NEW IDENTITY An area dedicated to the artists to practice their art, exhibit it and even live there in small movable housing units.

PROGRAMMING Art Workshops (indoor-outdoor), exhibitions

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ACTORS Osteria Il Ronchettino, Kandinsky Institute, Comune di Milano, ALER, GTA Gratosoglio

ARTISTS QUARTER

INTERVENTIONS 1. Design and establish an artists’ vintage workshop in the abandoned part of the Cascina. Partner with Kandinsky Institute to extend their educational process there and to add a practical dimension to it.

2. Clean and light-up the plaza to encourage people to come and visit the art exhibitions which would be set there.

3. Install artwork during temporary programmed art exhibitions, created by professional artists and Kandinsky Institute’s students. Partner with Osteria Il Ronchettino to assist in food catering during events.

4. Increase livability of the central pedestrian street through partnership between the Comune di Milano for shading and urban furniture installation; local artists and art students from Kandinsky Institute for mural art; and GTA Gratosoglio for media support.

5. Construct new micro housing units for artists on the empty green space. Comune di Milano and ALER will be the realizers of this intervention, maintenance and residence registration processes.

Landscaping + Seating Micro Housing Units Shading + Murals Coworking Spaces Plaza Revitalization Art Installations Landscaping

Micro Units Public Art

MICRO HOUSING UNITS

MULTICULTURAL VISUAL ARTS FESTIVALS

SHADING + MURALS

CASE STUDIES

ROSENGÅRD HOUSING ESTATE (Malmö, Sweden) Context:TheRosengårdhousingestateinMalmö was built as part of the Swedish ‘Million Homes’ program during the 1960s and 1970s. With 10,000 apartments and 25,000 residents, it is one of the largest housing areas in Scandinavia, and one of the most culturally diverse.

Regeneration Strategy: The flexible framework developed was aimed at concentrating and integrating life rather than segregating it. Key to this was breaking the existing visual monotony of the housing scheme by creating identities for multi-functional spaces and connecting those spaces. To make the neighborhood readable on a human scale, they proposed a variety of streets and public spaces that foster positive feelings of ownership and belonging. Lighting, street furniture and paving – plus ‘softening’ buildings at street level with forecourts and terraces – were designed to create spaces for people to gather and get to know each other.1

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Malmo Rosengard. Gehl Associates. Web. Kerameikos Metaxourgeio. Oliaros. Web.

KERAMEIKOS METAXOURGEIO (Athens, Greece) Context: Kerameikos Metaxourgeio is a deprived area close to inner-city Athens containing dilapidated old housing stock. Its residents are primarily lower income and minority groups.

Regeneration Strategy: In recent years, the Athens City Council has undertaken a series of measures for urban regeneration in district of the city’s third zone by rehabilitating houses that were abandoned and/or occupied by illegal immigrants or drug-dependent groups, and installing centers for young people and the aged. Restored buildings have been converted into multifunctional cultural facilities accomodating activities such as business startups, artist studios and student housing. Other initiatives include art on building facades, and a neighborhood bi-annual art festival transforms vacant spaces and buildings throughout the neighborhood for one entire month.2

MANAGEMENT + PHASING THE ARTS PROGRAM The Grato Rinato Arts Program is a communitybased one, in which it emphasizes community participation in the planning, implementation and evaluation of art projects. It binds together the Gratosoglio arts network which includes aspiring artists, established artists, and the youth – fostering a network of mutual support, mentorship and skill development between the artists and local youth. Meanwhile, it serves as a liaison between the neighborhood and the Comune di Milano and ALER. The arts program includes a coalition comprised of core neighborhood stakeholders that manage neighborhood initiatives and the program itself. The primary art sector actors who will be involved in the coalition will be Kandinsky Institute and ATIR (Teatro Ringhiera). A major problem identified during interviews and the analysis of these associations is the challenge with coordination and resource mobilization.

Thus, we adopt the recommendation of the Global Cultural District Network to establish a Grato Rinato Coalition. The coalition will be of a public-private partnership with particular

interest around property development and the sound administrative support of local arts/ cultural organisations. The coalition will serve as a buffer between the Municipio and the locals. We adopt this model because of its successful implementation in districts such as West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland, Culture Mile, London, Lincoln Road Cultural District, USA and Bras Basah Bugis Precinct & National Museum of Singapore.1 MARKETING PLAN The Grato Rinato Marketing Plan will have three major responsibilities: 1. Branding and Marketing: Showcase neighborhood identity through wayfinding signage, street banners, social media and local events.

2. Build Relationships: Face-to-face dialogue with local youth to figure out community needs and desires.

3. Citizen Engagement: Social media visual art competition open to youth in Gratosoglio. Winning piece will be displayed in Piazza Kaleido.

YOUTH + ACTORS

THE ARTS NETWORK

ESTABLISHED ARTISTS

ASPIRING ARTISTS COMUNE DI MILANO + ALER 1

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Global Cultural Districts Network (2018). Governance Models for Cultural Districts. An initiative of AEA Consulting. Web.

PHASING TIMELINE The creative urban village project adopts Lindblom’s concept of incremental planning to develop a phasing and management plan.

The project is expected to be implemented within three phases: Short term (now to 2021), Medium term (2021-2026), and Long term (beyond 2026). The phasing framework consists of eight categories of which five are the main nodes of the project. The other three are of general actions which are nonphysical, the creative spine which is made up of quick actions to connect the five nodes and the actions of Via Baroni – the street that is expected to lead people into and out of the neighbourhood. The long-term actions are expected to involve rigorous engineering works that will need some time for feasibility studies, funding, bypassing bureaucratic procedures as well as construction. These long-term actions will mainly be done in the Piazza Kaleido where new commercial spaces, working spaces,

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GENERAL ACTIONS

Short Medium MediumLong term Short term

co-working and co-learning spaces will be created and the Waterfront node where a pedestrian bridge will be constructed over the Lambro Meridionale. It is worth noting that despite these actions requiring a long time to design and implement, the functioning of those nodes will not be affected. Other quick and light actions in the Waterfront and Piazza Kaleido will be implemented erstwhile.

Further, to ensure sustainability of the project, the actors in Gratosoglio are identified and their roles in the project outlined. We recognize these actors as essential assets of the neighborhood and a crucial source of social capital for both the implementation and management of the project. In each node, the actors that could help in implementation are identified.

The map below presents an overview of the associations and actors (both government and private) that are present in Gratosoglio

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THE AVENUE

Shortterm Medium MediumLong term Short

Actions 1a Establish Grato Rinato Coalition

Actions 4a Landscaping (roundabout)

1b Branding and marketing

4b Street art traffic calming

1c Social media art competition

4c Outdoor seating

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Short term MediumLong term Short Medium

SHORT TERM Now - 2021

4d Bike lane

Long term

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4e Building floor façade restoration

Actions 2a Colored walking paths

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2b Art installations 2c Wayfinding

THE WATERFRONT Actions 5a Urban farm

2d Branding signage

5b Walking paths

2e Lighting

VIA BARONI

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Actions 3a Bike lane

THE PIAZZA KALEIDO

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Long term

7a Multi-leveling Shortterm Medium 6Actions THE PLAYSCAPE MediumLong term LONGShort TERM

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7b New commercial spaces Actions 6a Multifunctional play court 2026+ 7c Working spaces 6b Walking paths 7d Co-working + co-learning spaces 3e 6c Outdoor fitness equipment 7e Connect piazza to playscape 6d Lighting

3c Landscaping (street trees) 3d Lighting 3e Trash bins

THE PIAZZA KALEIDO

5e Mini amphitheater restoration

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5d Bike trail

2g Landscaping (street trees)

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THE ROOTS

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Actions 7a Multi-leveling

Actions 8a Micro housing units

7b New commercial spaces

8b Coworking spaces

7c Working spaces

8c Shading (in the corridor)

7d Co-working + co-learning spaces

8d Redesign the abandoned cascina

MEDIUM TERM

7e Connect piazza to playscape

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THE ROOTS

Long term

MEDIUM TERM

5c Pedestrian bridge

2f Seating

Short MediumLong term Shortterm Medium

Short term Medium term

Long term

2021 - 2026

Long term

CONCLUSION

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The intent of the creative urban village concept is to foster a revived version of Gratosoglio that is more than just a place to live, but a place where there is life.

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The vision for the ‘new’ Gratosoglio is a neighborhood with a sense of place of which that residents can be proud of; a local economy strong enough to attract more jobs; and finally, at the centerfold, a place that inspires creative expression among all residents, but especially the youth. We want to change the mindset of the youth to understand that they have the freedom to change their course of the future.

They get judged because of where they come from, the periphery – Gratosoglio. Can the poverty cycle be broken? Can the stigma be removed? The intent of the creative urban village concept is to foster a revived version of Gratosoglio that is more than just a place to live, but a place where there is life.

HERE ART IS EVERY WHERE.

THE LAND IS THE CANVAS.