Project number: 639 Project acronym: trAILs Project title: Alpine Industrial Landscapes Transformation

DELIVERABLE D.T2.2.3

Spatial planning and landscape assessment report: pilot site in ,

Work package: T2 – Assess AILs: assessment procedure (pilot-based)

Activity: A.T.2.2: Co-assessment of AILs actual conditions and socio- economic context

Authors: Elena Solero, Piergiorgio Vitillo, Paolo Galuzzi, Julia Forster, Julia Pechhacker, Stefan Bindreiter, Umberto Fava, Sonia Abluton, Valentina Curato Organization: Polytechnic University of Milan (Department of Architecture and Urban Studies); Vienna University of Technology (Department of Spatial Planning, Centre for Local Planning); LAMORO Development Agency

Deliverable date: December 2019

Version: FINAL

Dissemination level: Project partners and public

Dissemination target: Project partners and public

This project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Interreg Alpine Space programme CONTENT

1 FOREWORD...... 3

2 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY ...... 3

3 PART 1: RESULTS OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT ...... 4

3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY ...... 4 3.2 RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT – POTENTIALS AND PROBLEMS ...... 5

4 PART 2: PERFORMANCE OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT ...... 30

4.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY ...... 30 4.2 ANALYSIS ELEMENTS REVIEW ...... 32

5 PART 3: FEEDBACK OF THE REGIONAL PARTNER ...... 36

6 SOURCES ...... 37

Page | 2 1 FOREWORD

The assessment report of Pilot Site ‘Borgo San Dalmazzo’ in Italy focuses on the main spatial elements, needed as a base for the development of planning pathways on multi scale level. The report is structured in three main parts, the ‘results of the AIL assessment’, the ‘performance of the AIL assessment’ as well as on the feedback part prepared by regional stakeholders.

This report is embedded in the activity WP T2: Co-assessment of AILs actual conditions and in a set of five thematic assessment reports.

POLIMI and TUW are responsible for creation and content of this report, based on WP T1 input “Site visit Borgo San Dalmazzo”, desktop research and GIS analysis. In particular the responsibilities of content are divided by scale level between TUW and POLIMI. The scale level 1:5000 defines in this manner not only the visual presentation level. Moreover it presents the level of contents, the thematic focus level as well as the main structural elements of analysis within local and regional criteria.

2 ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMINOLOGY region – the term region can be understood very varied. For this report we define the study region by valleys Gesso and . problem – the term „problem“ is often negatively affected, but problem means in our understanding unsolved, complex planning tasks, for which we have to find a planning solution infrastructure – in this report we focus on the technical infrastructure, not on the social infrastructure. Technical infrastructure includes facilities in the fields of communication (transport, communications), supply (water, energy) and disposal (waste water, waste). land use (CORINE land cover) – the land use by CORINE land cover shows categories and classes of land use based on digital satellite images. The land use by CORINE land cover is not related in any way with the land use plan. land use plan – the land use plan is a legal instrument for the development of municipalities. It determines a specific allowed use for every plot. This defined use is related to different possibilities and restrictions for the use and development of the plot. The main categories are building land, grassland and traffic areas. local development plan – the local development plan is a legal instrument for the development of a municipality and has a time horizon of 10-15 years. The local development plan consists of the local development concept and the land use plan (and, if present, of a zoning plan, which defines rules for how to develop a building plot). The local development plan contains aims and measures for the development of a municipality, and consists of a textual and a mapping part.

Page | 3 3 PART 1: RESULTS OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT

3.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

TUW mainly analysed the “territorial scale”, which is defined in different ways. To give an overview of the location of Borgo San Dalmazzo and the main road/rail network and the connection to other cities the Vermenagna valley and the Gesso valley have been considered. TUW analyses on an overview scale that goes at most up to 1:5.000, whereas POLIMI does a more in-depth analysis of the municipality Borgo San Dalmazzo in a scale between 1:5.000 and 1:500.

The spatial assessment of TUW is structured in four analysis topics: • the environmental analysis, which covers the analysis of the topographical situation, the landscape and the natural environment, • the settlement analysis, which contains information to the settlement structure and the existing building stock, • the mobility network analysis, which covers the analysis of the reachability, the traffic and transport network and the public transport services and the supply and disposal infrastructure, which covers a description of access to ICT and energy infrastructure, water supply and disposal infrastructure

POLIMI mainly analysed the “local scale”, that involves the pilot area and its next surroundings. The chosen scales are 1:10.000 and 1:5.000. In particular, Spatial analysis includes the evaluation of the following aspects: current situation, project in progress and urban planning rules.

The current situation is structured in three analysis topics: • Mobility framework, which covers the analysis of the transport network and the public transport services • Environmental and landscape framework, which covers the analysis of the topographical situation, the landscape and the natural environment • Settlement framework, which contains information to the settlement structure and the existing building stocks.

Project in progress Plans and projects in progress relevant to mobility, environmental and settlement framework are necessary to understand in which direction future development is going on.

Urban planning rules Existing planning rules are important to know the intentions of local municipality and regional administration.

Page | 4 The municipality Borgo San Dalmazzo is situated in the province . Cuneo is embedded in the Italian region Piemont. Borgo San Dalmazzo is located at the end of a flat area and is the starting and junction point of three valleys, the valley, the Gesso valley and the Vermenagna valley, the last two of them are also included in the pilot area. The municipality consists of the districts Beguda, Madonna Bruna and Aradolo.

Borgo San Dalmazzo consists of a small historic center and residential areas with apartment buildings and family homes. Within the boundaries of Borgo San Dalmazzo the area is mainly used for residential purposes. Around the municipality on the other hand there is lots of industry, agriculture and forestry as well as energy production.

With regard to the whole pilot area, the territory is characterized by small villages with low population densities. In the region an increasing number of holiday homes can be observed. At the same time there is a high level of uninhabited houses. Generally, the area is covered by the protected areas of Parco naturale del Marguareis and Parco naturale delle Alpi Marittime and high mountain areas over 1600 meter above sea level. It also consists of three natural reserves: Grotte del Bandito, Rocca San Giovanni-Saben and the Gesso and Stura rivers. Those natural and half-natural mountainous areas make up for the biggest part of the area, followed by rural areas like plans and hills and the urban areas, that include industrial and productive sites, quarries and caves.

3.2 RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT – POTENTIALS AND PROBLEMS

The following list provides potentials, problems (•) and recommendations how to consider the problems/potentials in transformation processes () to the different analysis topics.

Environmental and landscape analysis Borgo San Dalmazzo is situated close to the French boarder. The topography around Borgo San Dalmazzo is difficult since there are three valleys opening up from the municipality. As a result of the topographic situation, numerous rivers and creeks run through the area. Due to several stone quarries, dust exposure and air pollution are an issue for the region, however, they are only relevant to the extent that new uses of the pilot site should not cause any additional emissions. The pilot site and the quarries lie adjacent to a protection area “contigua Gesso e Stura”. This Park involves 10 Municipalities, 60 km of river, and over 4,000 ha of natural environment for sport, education, spare time, and culture. A belt linking the surrounding territories, downhill and uphill, where it meets Alpi Marittime Park. The main objectives of this park consist in the respect of the original features of the territory and, at the same time, the enhancement of all the potentialities of the area. With the nearby Municipalities of Borgo San

Page | 5 Dalmazzo, , , , and , the Park Authority promotes joint measures to recover and revitalize the river territory.

As shown in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 the pilot area around Borgo San Dalmazzo is covered with forest areas and therefore provides lots of potential for wood processing. According to the Sistemapiemonte, there is an overall amount of 1.203.457 tons of withdrawable mass in the valleys Gesso and Vermenagna and the close Pesio valley. Parts of the pilot area belong to preserved areas.

A touristic potential is given in the surroundings of Borgo San Dalmazzo through skiing areas and other montane tourism.

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Figures 1, 2, 3: Landscape and Open Spaces; edited by POLIMI, 2019

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Figure 4: Lamoro Pilot Area in Cuneo Province, Edited by Simlab TUW, 2019

Page | 10 The main problems encountered in this area relate to hydrogeological hazards and the risk of flooding of the Gesso river.

Figure 5: Geomorphological/hydrogeological hazard and suitability for urban use (source PRGC Borgo San Dalmazzo; www.parcofluvialegessostura.it)

Environmental potential:

• Natural environmental: forest areas (wood processing), river and creeks (water potential) • Gesso and Stura river Park

Environmental problems:

• Hydrogeological hazard and risk of flooding of the Gesso river • Stone quarries not in use

Page | 11 Settlement analysis

Out of our analysis the following problems and potentials arise in connection with the settlement structure. The historic centers of Cuneo and Borgo San Dalmazzo are 8 kilometers apart from each other. Because of their respective urban expansion, there is no break between the settlements. As a result, the districts of Borgo Nuovo, Martinetto del Rame and Borgomercato constitute real outlying appendices of Cuneo. Thanks to the altimetric excursion of over 700 m, the territory is not equally inhabited: it’s a kind of a scattered municipality: some districts (such as Sant'Antonio Aradolo - located at 1,040 meters above sea level -, Beguda or Madonna Bruna) are markedly separated from the main urban area. The railway separates the Italcementi area from the city core. Figure 6, 7, 8 show settlement and urban fabrics characterizing Borgo San Dalmazzo and its territory. In particular, the pilot area is characterized by industrial settlement and activities; some of them are not in use any more. Urban facilities are quite spread over the territory.

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Figures 6, 7, 8: Settlement and Urban Fabrics; edited by POLIMI, 2019

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Page | 14 In Borgo San Dalmazzo, there is an important archaeological potential. Archaeological research led to the certainty that a roman cemetery was located just below the current parish church of San Dalmazzo and in the area between it, Piazza Martiri, Via Marconi, Via Grandis and Corso Mazzini. There was also an area that was located towards the Gesso torrent, near the present railway station where a few Roman tombs came to light a few years ago, during the excavation for the Cuneo aqueduct. For this reason, Italcementi area is interested by a medium-high archaeological potential.

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Figures 9, 10, 11: Heritage and Urban Polarities; edited by POLIMI, 2019

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Italcementi was built in several stages starting from 1951, as the map shows below (Fig. 12).

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Figure 12: Italcementi over the years

Page | 18 Italcementi’s area is covered by industrial buildings of which many are abandoned or underused (Fig. 13).

Figure 13:Abandoned/non-abandoned buildings

Settlement potential:

• proximity of Italcementi area to the historic settlement system • archaeological potential

Settlement problems: • Italcementi area is an urbanized wedge inside a rich environmental system • double barrier (road and rail) that separates the area from the existing settlement system

Page | 19 Land-use analysis

Out of our analysis the following problems and potentials arise in connection with the land-use structure:

The land-use map clearly shows the structure of the three valleys around Borgo San Dalmazzo. Within the valley plains, there is a significant amount of agriculture, whereas the mountains are covered by forest areas (Fig. 14). The biggest municipality is Borgo San Dalmazzo, which takes up most of the urban fabric in the area. Still located in the openings of the valleys and therefore still have a significant share of urban fabric are and Robiliante. Smaller municipalities are located along the roads that run through the valleys. Particular for the region are the large mineral extraction sites, that impact the landscape.

A comparison of the average land-use in the region, which approximately represents the land- use of the smaller villages, with the three cities Borgo San Dalmazzo, and Roccavione shows, how most of the region is covered by forest areas (Fig. 15). In contrast, more than half of the surface of Borgo San Dalmazzo is covered by artificial surfaces and agricultural areas. Robiliante and Roccavione have about the same percentages of agricultural areas (around one third), however the percentage of artificial surface is much smaller. That fact can be explained with regard to the location of the three municipalities. Borgo San Dalmazzo is located in a flat area at the starting point of the valleys and therefore has more potential for housing.

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Figure 14: Land-use according to Corine Landcover, Edited by Simlab TUW, 2019

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Figure 15: Comparison of Corine Landcover, Edited by Simlab TUW, 2019

Page | 22 Mobility and reachability analysis

Out of our analysis, the following problems and potentials arise in connection with the mobility framework and reachability: • Borgo San Dalmazzo lies at the crossroad between three important connecting roads and is therefore very well affiliated regarding the private transport. • A main connection runs via the E74 in direction to Cuneo. The SS21 is the main road connecting with France. It starts in Borgo San Dalmazzo and and runs through the Stura valley via the Colle della Maddalena in direction to Gap and further to Grenoble and Marseille. The E74, which turns into D6204 when crossing France, is the connection via and via the E80 along the coast to , France. It starts in Cuneo, connects it with Borgo San Dalmazzo and then runs through the Vermenagna valley. Borgo San Dalmazzo is connected to via Cuneo through the E717. Genoa can be reached via the E717 in direction to Savona and then the E80 (Figg. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). • For public transportation there is the main station for regional trains and several bus lines that work in a 30 minutes interval. Since Borgo San Dalmazzo is situated in the end of a flat area and is the starting point of several valleys, the train and bus connections to surrounding cities involve a lot of changes (Fig. 21) • There are several airports available to reach Borgo San Dalmazzo. One of them is in Turin and a small one is in Cuneo, also the airports of Genoa and Nice are within reach (for more information see Fig. 22).

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Figure 16: Main road infrastructure around Borgo San Dalmazzo, Edited by Simlab TUW, 2019

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Figures 17, 18, 19: Mobility and Transport; edited by POLIMI, 2019

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Page | 26 Figure 20: Road network

Figure 21: Public transport

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Figure 22: Traffic infrastructure in Piedmont Region, Edited by Simlab TUW, 2019

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Mobility potential:

• Borgo San Dalmazzo lies at the crossroads between three important connecting roads (connection with Cuneo, France, Genova): very affiliated regarding the private transport • In Borgo there is the train station for regional trains, as well as several bus lines: very affiliated regarding the public transport • Airport in Torino and a small one in Cuneo

Mobility problems: • Many roads are not easily by some means of transport • Italcementi area is not so connected with the surrounding areas

Supply and disposal infrastructure analysis The municipality of Borgo San Dalmazzo is covered by the fibre optic network. More in detail, the FTTC connection reaches 99% of homes while the FTTH connection reaches 0%. ADSL covers 100% of the municipal area.

Page | 29 4 PART 2: PERFORMANCE OF THE AIL ASSESSMENT

4.1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

The aim of the assessment is to find problems, challenges and potentials regarding the spatial conditions. TUW analysed, as already mentioned in chapter 3.1, the „territorial“ scale, the Vermenagna valley and the Gesso valley and the municipality Borgo San Dalmazzo. The method subdivides in four main steps.

Steps of the assessment:

1) Spatial exploration (on site and digital) to gain a first overview and impression of the site/region: TUW did a site-visit in June with an inspection of the site. Important was the contact to local/regional stakeholders, in the frame of the site visit and in a discussion round. Inspections of the town Borgo San Dalmazzo was also important to get to know the settlement structures and to find out potentials besides problems and challenges. Problems and challenges are mostly connected with the strong population decrease in the valleys, even though Borgo San Dalmazzo doesn’t sense the effects yet. TUW did a digital exploration via VR (Virtual Reality): „flying“ over the region in a 3D-environment (Google Earth VR) and viewing of the local situation with 360° photos that have been taken on the site-visit (360° photos are implemented in the 3D-web-visualization of WPT1)

2) Detailed analysis of different issues: • via on site research (get to know the region with all senses) • via collecting GIS data and elaborating maps • via collecting and processing statistical data • via contacting local/regional stakeholders (interview, discussion round) • TUW and POLIMI analysed the natural environment and landscape, the settlement structure, the mobility framework and reachability as well as the supply and disposal infrastructure

3) After the collection of all the different material, TUW overlaps the results to find possible coherences between the analysis elements. Out of this step, problems and potentials can be derived.

4) As conclusion TUW and POLIMI defined problems and challenges as well as potentials of the municipality and region, which contain also some possible fields for action for the future development of the site. The results can be used for WPT3.

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Formats used: • own GIS based maps • existing GIS based maps (GeoPortale ) • VR (Virtual Reality) • terrain sections • 360° photos • photo documentation • diagrams • interviews / stakeholder discussion rounds • text analysis (of concepts) • descriptions (as texts)

Page | 31 4.2 ANALYSIS ELEMENTS REVIEW

Based on the very general analysis elements review we go with a description of specific analysis elements for praxis relevant planning developments. Therefor we present a table which holds the main additional analysis elements of TUW and POLIMI. They are defined based on the local planning pathways developed by POLIMI as well as on findings within the development of planning pathways in Borgo San Dalmazzo (Pilot Site Italy).

Table 1: spatial and landscape analysis elements (TUW) Analysis Analysis Output Output usage Usefulness for this AIL frame element description topography mapping and Identification of Very useful, as and terrain qualitative possibilities and topography in region description of the limitations influences a lot of topography via aspects of past, contour lines and Basic preparation current and future terrain base map work to be able to developments in GIS; on-site set urban designs research and and ideas in a photo spatial context. documentation

(+360° photos) Improves quality of the terrain and and professional landscape; 3D appearance of model of the project outputs terrain, (renderings, implemented in models, designs) the web- visualization and in VR (Virtual Reality) – spatial exploration in a digital way location and mapping of the Identification of Very useful environmental and landscape analysis landscape environmental and type of location of possibilities and nature protected areas nature nature protected limitations* around in the pilot protected areas in GIS region areas land use mapping of the Basic information useful land use (by on present land CORINE Land use cover) in GIS and quantitative Basic land use interpretation information helps (chart) to indicate former

Page | 32 usage and illustrates frameworks for future use (sealed or paved soil) visual on-site research Usage mainly for useful landscape (visual analysis, and impressions, preparation and landmarks sight axes) and presentation photo purposes – basic documentation information to be of the overall considered in appearance of designs and the landscape scenario and of important developments that landmarks respect local conditions. road network mapping and basic accessibility Very useful in a and classes categorization of analysis transformation or the road regeneration process network, main (upgrade or road connections weakening) rail network mapping and Analysis of used Very useful,

and classes categorization of and unused rail Need for further the rail network, infrastructures, investigations on main rail kind of usage necessary investments connections (passenger or into rail infrastructure cargo transport) in design and planning phase

public qualitative and Basic accessibility Useful transport quantitative analysis system description of the public transport system reachability, qualitative Basic accessibility Very useful mobility network and accessibility analysis accessibility and network mobility accessibility description of the analysis; Enables reachability, the identification mapping of of possibilities and distances and limitations of the travel times existing mobility infrastructure grid

ICT supply description of the Identification of Very Useful

connection to possibilities and Need for further ICT supply (fixed- limitations* investigation of supply and disposal infrastruct line, mobile necessary investment

Page | 33 communication into ICT infrastructure network, in design and planning broadband phase (if data driven network) and automated production processes or facilities of higher education are part of the ideas) * Part of basic spatial planning research

Table 2: spatial and landscape analysis elements (POLIMI) Analysis frame Analysis Output Output usage Usefulness for elements description this AIL Green and blue Identification of Ecological and Very useful for elements all natural and environmental the future - green areas environmental network regeneration or - natural and elements development of protected AIL areas - tree meadows - rivers, streams,.. - green

connections - landscape value Ecosystem Mapping and Prioritization Useful for services qualitative definition and advocacy - supporting description of problem (awareness services the ecosystem identification in raising, (nutrient cycle (by selected relation to justification, and oxygen indicators) different decision production) synergies support), - provisioning ecosystem services Communication assessment,

Environmental and landscape analysis landscape Environmental and (production of tool to initiate priority setting, food and discussion with instrument water) stakeholders design, spatial - regulating visualizing the analysis. services locations where (control of valuable climate and ecosystem disease) services are - cultural produced or services used and (spiritual and explaining the relevance of Page | 34 recreational ecosystem benefits) services to the public in their territory Territorial Mapping of Risk prevention Useful for fragilities territorial strategies defining fragilities and prevention risk areas Resilience strategies in a enhancement future development General awareness and overcoming Historical Mapping of the area Useful to settlement and historical enhancement enhance area cultural heritage settlement and the next structure and surroundings in buildings a future area

regeneration Industrial Mapping and Basic Very useful in a settlement and qualitative information to transformation activities description of be considered in or regeneration industrial area designing process (in activity and scenario(s)

Settlement analysis abandoned) development Urban facilities Mapping of Basic Very useful in a facilities information to transformation be considered in or regeneration designing process scenario(s) development Infrastructural Mapping of Basic Very useful in a network roads, railways information to transformation

and all the be considered in or regeneration elements designing process relevant to scenario(s) (upgrade or mobility network development weakening) (including public transport ccessibility analysis ccessibility system) Accessibility, Qualitative Basic Very useful reachability description of accessibility the reachability, analysis enables mapping of the identification distances and of possibilities travel times and limitations

Mobility network and a of the existing

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5 PART 3: FEEDBACK OF THE REGIONAL PARTNER

Do you find the results useful and which ones? We consider the results on topography situation very useful, because they influence a lot of aspects of past, current and future developments. We think it’s really useful, for planning a future use of the area knowing that, the topography around Borgo San Dalmazzo is difficult because there are three valleys opening up from the municipality with numerous rivers and creeks run through the area. Due to several stone quarries, dust exposure and air pollution are an issue for the region. Also the data regarding the mobility network and accessibility analysis are very useful because they are important elements to take in account for the transformation or regeneration process of site. It’s also really important to deepen the opportunities and the challenges relate to the current situation of the mobility and accessibility of the site, and considering the data emerging for the further actions of planning and design the site. In this sense, really relevant on necessary investments into rail infrastructure for further planning and design phase.

Have you learned something about the site that you did not know before? What was it? Yes, we didn’t know that in Borgo San Dalmazzo, there is an important archaeological site. Infact, a roman cemetery was located just below the current parish church of San Dalmazzo and in the area between it, Piazza Martiri, Via Marconi, Via Grandis and Corso Mazzini. There was also an area that was located towards the Gesso torrent, near the present railway station where a few Roman tombs came to light a few years ago, during the excavation for the Cuneo aqueduct.

Will you be able to use any of the results and how? Yes, it would be possible to work on the results on the medium-high archaeological potential of the area, as an added value for the the touristic sector in the area that, until now, it seems to be mainly concentred on the outdoors sportive activities or, in the case of , on the thermal waters. In this sense, LAMORO could support sensibilization actions targeting on the local institutions and the local player in the touristic sector to disseminate knowledge on cultural heritage aspects of the territory, starting from its archaeological potential.

Will you be able to take any additional actions based on the assessment results, what are they? We would like to use the results of environmental and landscape analysis to implement for advocacy, awareness raising actions and decision support among the population ecosystem assessment, priority setting, instrument design, spatial analysis

Page | 36 Which analysis elements are more useful (look at the spreadsheet 4.2 and appendix results)? Topography current situation, Mobility network and accessibility analysis and Historical settlement and cultural heritage.

Any suggestions to make this assessment method better? No, for us it works properly like this.

6 SOURCES

ArcGIS 2018: ArcGIS Online Basemaps. Imagery (WGS84) https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=52bdc7ab7fb044d98add148764eaa30a

CSI Piemonte 2019: Service Portal of the Region Piemonte. Forest information system. http://www.sistemapiemonte.it/popalfa/authentication/LoginSispieAction.do

GeoPortale Piemonte 2019: Geodata Portal of the Region Piemonte. http://www.geoportale.piemonte.it

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