Lo spazio pubblico contesto: tra dominio dell'automobile e bisogni locali. Verano Brianza come caso studio

Description

Conference presentation.

The progressive erosion of public space in contemporary cities, amplified by the massive spread of the automobile – with Italy among the European countries with the highest density of private vehicles – raises urgent questions about the quality and accessibility of urban space. The case of Verano Brianza, in the province of Monza and Brianza, is an emblematic example: a fragmented historic center, dominated by vehicular mobility and with marginalized, discontinuous and poorly usable public spaces.

The project, developed in collaboration with the municipal administration, aimed to rethink the system of public spaces, combining spatial analysis and a broad participatory process that involved citizens, traders and associations. Through interviews, workshops and inspections, structural criticalities emerged (oversized intersections, interrupted sidewalks, invasive parking) and a strong collective need for more accessible, green and safe spaces.

To respond to these needs, a design workshop was organized with students from the Polytechnic University of Milan, aimed at producing exploratory scenarios. The goal was not only to propose specific solutions, but to fuel a change in vision and a new culture of public space.

The project focuses on the need for inclusive, flexible and recognizable urban spaces, capable of accommodating a plurality of users and uses over time. The challenge is to balance aesthetic quality and functionality, proposing interventions that can be adapted to social and environmental transformations. The proposals that emerged were summarized in a series of orienting guidelines, designed to support political planning and future design actions.

Experience suggests that even small interventions, if shared and well-designed, can activate urban regeneration processes and rebuild links between space, community and identity, restoring public space to a central role in collective life.

Period	20 Jun 2025
Event title	Publicness: le sfide della dimensione pubblica nelle città e nei territori: XXVII Conferenza Nazionale SIU
Event type	Conference
Conference number	XXVII
Location	Milano, ItalyShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National