Exhibitions, Italy, Trieste, 26 October 2017
PRESENTATION "GREEN CITIES"
Edited by Alessia Locatelli
Living is to exist.
The places of living are the ones that shape us, which outline the boundaries of our presence, affections, sensory and environmental experiences that form the perception of the spaces in which we move. Cities today constitute the urban element that welcomes the greatest number of human beings.
Metropolis that is structured in relation to the cultural latitudes on which they arise and to the architectural projects that take shape in them. Urbanization today is not a choice but a form of inevitable organization of the future, to which the contemporary man can not escape.
This trend is also reflected in a United Nations report that shows in recent years the rise in migration from rural to metropolitan areas: " The latest forecasts (2015) indicate that in 2050 the share of urban population will rise, on a global scale, to 66% ".
(Source: https://www.istat.it/en/files/ 2017/05 / Urbanization.pdf )
The obvious risk of the lack of a structured urban organization is the emergence of periphery-ghetto, as is the case for the Indian slums or the South Favelas , where not only does the management of soil and sanitary structures not only be uncontrolled, but also the social and cultural development of the population is likely to remain strongly compromised.
Following the concept of New Urbanism expressed by the studies of Australian Nikos Salingaros, a teacher of mathematics at the University of Texas and architecture at various Italian, Dutch and Mexican universities, is trying to have a more careful approach to future urban structures and, as he himself mentions: "The main urban problem that the world today faces is the socio-political processes in building social housing, along with the large-scale renovation of informal / illegal settlements. This identifies as the key factor the urban space that is protected by its inhabitants enough to generate erosion and degradation practices. The criterion is emotional, and emerges from the correct response to the needs of residents in terms of urban form, a response that is only created by the participation of end users. " (Source: Nikos Salingaros" Social Housing in Latin America ") And again: " Ideology or the mere contemplation of the beauty and originality of a building is not a sufficient guarantee of quality ."
An important change of mentality if we reflect on theories that in Europe and in the world have led to movements such as postmodernism, rationalism, brutalism and many other related ideologies , especially at this historical moment, to architectural concepts of archaic character or whims often ineffectual architectural of the so-called "archistar".
This urban system wishes to revolutionize the very concept of function and beauty related to living: places that do not arise from extravagant sketches or from an imaginary ideal form, but that are structured starting from concrete data and measurements, derived from the analysis of many networks (viability, freight flows, social structures ...) that affect and interact in cities. Last but not least is the green space and the services in the area useful to the well-being and the development of those places that they enjoy.
The cities immortalized by photographer Loredana Celano rise to the practical pattern of this new urban and building trend that is hoped to become, starting from three urban centers in northern Europe, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Malmö, an example to emulate and appreciate for the future of ' living in the metropolis.
Here are the three projects that have drawn the attention of Milanese photographer, as she writes:
Malmo, City of Tomorrow
A steel and glass tower visible from Denmark. Ecologically and architecturally state-of-the-art, since 1995 Malmö owns the Residential Skyscraper Turning Torso , conceived by Spanish architect Calatrava, who for his work was inspired by a human torso. Spectacular and original in its shape, Turning Torso tower has given the city a distinctive and unique sign symbolizing the port roots of Malmö and its industrial origin, but also Calatrava's intention to build a sculptural element that represented the " the only ascending movement in the skyline of a city increasingly projected towards the future.
The neighborhood, designed for Expo2001 as "City of Tomorrow", represents the prototype of a sustainable urban environment. What was the old port area of the city, Västra Hamnen, is today a densely populated area, rich in green corners and with a high standard of quality of life. From any point of view, the city is completely sustainable because it focuses on the physical and mental well-being of its inhabitants.
From Malmö it's easy to get to Copenhagen, just cross the longest bridge in Europe, Øresund, used for road and rail traffic with a central span of 490 m.
In Copenhagen is Amager Strandpark. It is a seaside public park. It is located on the island of Amager and includes an artificial island. From the beach, the Middelgrunden wind farm is visible on the horizon.
The park was founded in 1934 and in 2005 an artificial island of 2 km was added. The beach has two sections: the northern section has a natural beach setting with winding paths, wide sandy beaches and low dunes, the southern section offers a so-called town beach with a large walkway and ball or picnic areas. The lagoon has areas and activities for children and adults looking for well-being and fun.
To the south of Stockholm in Hammarby Sjöstad developed the " Water City ". In a vast area of two hundred acres, which until a few years ago housed an industrial settlement area, an elegant and modern residential neighborhood emerged. Here, among the gentle waters of the lake Mälaren and the oak forest of Sickla, Sweden's capital, with a huge project, erected Hammarby Sjöstad. "Sjöstad", which literally means "water city", has its name not only on the shores of the lake that swims in Sweden, but also because water is its main source of energy.
The most fascinating aspect of Hammarby Sjöstad is the incredible effort made to minimize the environmental impact and make the district self-sufficient from the energy standpoint, thanks to the exploitation of clean and renewable sources.
The shots of Loredana Celano tell with the evocative palette of shades of Northern Europe and the ability of the professional to read the environment, the three cities immortalizing the urban space, architectural volumes and green spaces without neglecting the human presence in this context becomes an equally emblematic element and a symbol of happy interaction between the geographic location and those who habitually live it.
Not being able to reverse the exodus to big cities by the majority of the world's population, these happy urban planning projects face the future of living in a livable way. Sustainable building, close to man and nature, socially fulfilling and capable of educating not only about beauty and harmony but also respect for the environment and ecology.
These three cities are a first branch but are also emulated positively in other regions of the world, between Canada and the United States, and hopefully they can be the model to be followed for the future of the megalopolis.
Edited by Alessia Locatelli
Living is to exist.
The places of living are the ones that shape us, which outline the boundaries of our presence, affections, sensory and environmental experiences that form the perception of the spaces in which we move. Cities today constitute the urban element that welcomes the greatest number of human beings.
Metropolis that is structured in relation to the cultural latitudes on which they arise and to the architectural projects that take shape in them. Urbanization today is not a choice but a form of inevitable organization of the future, to which the contemporary man can not escape.
This trend is also reflected in a United Nations report that shows in recent years the rise in migration from rural to metropolitan areas: " The latest forecasts (2015) indicate that in 2050 the share of urban population will rise, on a global scale, to 66% ".
(Source: https://www.istat.it/en/files/ 2017/05 / Urbanization.pdf )
The obvious risk of the lack of a structured urban organization is the emergence of periphery-ghetto, as is the case for the Indian slums or the South Favelas , where not only does the management of soil and sanitary structures not only be uncontrolled, but also the social and cultural development of the population is likely to remain strongly compromised.
Following the concept of New Urbanism expressed by the studies of Australian Nikos Salingaros, a teacher of mathematics at the University of Texas and architecture at various Italian, Dutch and Mexican universities, is trying to have a more careful approach to future urban structures and, as he himself mentions: "The main urban problem that the world today faces is the socio-political processes in building social housing, along with the large-scale renovation of informal / illegal settlements. This identifies as the key factor the urban space that is protected by its inhabitants enough to generate erosion and degradation practices. The criterion is emotional, and emerges from the correct response to the needs of residents in terms of urban form, a response that is only created by the participation of end users. " (Source: Nikos Salingaros" Social Housing in Latin America ") And again: " Ideology or the mere contemplation of the beauty and originality of a building is not a sufficient guarantee of quality ."
An important change of mentality if we reflect on theories that in Europe and in the world have led to movements such as postmodernism, rationalism, brutalism and many other related ideologies , especially at this historical moment, to architectural concepts of archaic character or whims often ineffectual architectural of the so-called "archistar".
This urban system wishes to revolutionize the very concept of function and beauty related to living: places that do not arise from extravagant sketches or from an imaginary ideal form, but that are structured starting from concrete data and measurements, derived from the analysis of many networks (viability, freight flows, social structures ...) that affect and interact in cities. Last but not least is the green space and the services in the area useful to the well-being and the development of those places that they enjoy.
The cities immortalized by photographer Loredana Celano rise to the practical pattern of this new urban and building trend that is hoped to become, starting from three urban centers in northern Europe, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Malmö, an example to emulate and appreciate for the future of ' living in the metropolis.
Here are the three projects that have drawn the attention of Milanese photographer, as she writes:
Malmo, City of Tomorrow
A steel and glass tower visible from Denmark. Ecologically and architecturally state-of-the-art, since 1995 Malmö owns the Residential Skyscraper Turning Torso , conceived by Spanish architect Calatrava, who for his work was inspired by a human torso. Spectacular and original in its shape, Turning Torso tower has given the city a distinctive and unique sign symbolizing the port roots of Malmö and its industrial origin, but also Calatrava's intention to build a sculptural element that represented the " the only ascending movement in the skyline of a city increasingly projected towards the future.
The neighborhood, designed for Expo2001 as "City of Tomorrow", represents the prototype of a sustainable urban environment. What was the old port area of the city, Västra Hamnen, is today a densely populated area, rich in green corners and with a high standard of quality of life. From any point of view, the city is completely sustainable because it focuses on the physical and mental well-being of its inhabitants.
From Malmö it's easy to get to Copenhagen, just cross the longest bridge in Europe, Øresund, used for road and rail traffic with a central span of 490 m.
In Copenhagen is Amager Strandpark. It is a seaside public park. It is located on the island of Amager and includes an artificial island. From the beach, the Middelgrunden wind farm is visible on the horizon.
The park was founded in 1934 and in 2005 an artificial island of 2 km was added. The beach has two sections: the northern section has a natural beach setting with winding paths, wide sandy beaches and low dunes, the southern section offers a so-called town beach with a large walkway and ball or picnic areas. The lagoon has areas and activities for children and adults looking for well-being and fun.
To the south of Stockholm in Hammarby Sjöstad developed the " Water City ". In a vast area of two hundred acres, which until a few years ago housed an industrial settlement area, an elegant and modern residential neighborhood emerged. Here, among the gentle waters of the lake Mälaren and the oak forest of Sickla, Sweden's capital, with a huge project, erected Hammarby Sjöstad. "Sjöstad", which literally means "water city", has its name not only on the shores of the lake that swims in Sweden, but also because water is its main source of energy.
The most fascinating aspect of Hammarby Sjöstad is the incredible effort made to minimize the environmental impact and make the district self-sufficient from the energy standpoint, thanks to the exploitation of clean and renewable sources.
The shots of Loredana Celano tell with the evocative palette of shades of Northern Europe and the ability of the professional to read the environment, the three cities immortalizing the urban space, architectural volumes and green spaces without neglecting the human presence in this context becomes an equally emblematic element and a symbol of happy interaction between the geographic location and those who habitually live it.
Not being able to reverse the exodus to big cities by the majority of the world's population, these happy urban planning projects face the future of living in a livable way. Sustainable building, close to man and nature, socially fulfilling and capable of educating not only about beauty and harmony but also respect for the environment and ecology.
These three cities are a first branch but are also emulated positively in other regions of the world, between Canada and the United States, and hopefully they can be the model to be followed for the future of the megalopolis.
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