USEAct Thematic Network I Urban sustainable environmental actions

USEAct CASE STUDIES Catalogue

THE PLAN OF 100 STATION: improvement of transport infrastructures and opportunity of regeneration with modern architecture and public spaces

USEACT CASE STUDY USEACT “Theme” 1. Planning tools and planning governance for Urban Growth Management (UGM) and reusing urban areas

USEACT Subtheme

1.5 Transportation and planning for Urban growth City Council of (Italy) Management

Summary abstract

An interesting aspect of the policy of Naples is the link between urban interventions, land use management and plans for the management of the transportation network. The re-organization of the infrastructural system is improving train and metro connection has been managed since 1997 (Local Transport Plan), to better connect the suburbs to the city centre and to positively influence the urban environment, especially close to the newly restored metro-stations (Piano 100 stazioni, 2003). The reduction of car traffic, with the definition of a restricted traffic large area corresponding to the areas of the historical city centre and a part of the waterfront, is complementary to increase the transport network and is one of the key actions in view of the redevelopment of a wide area of the city centre.

Setting and Key Integration of transport planning policy as key question for Urban Growth questions/Challenges Management. In Naples, the process of preparation of the transport and mobility planning instruments is carried out along with that of town planning. This has brought together strategies and goals which are not always found in the planning documents of different sectors. In particular, among the main goals for urban development are: the reduction of traffic congestion; the contextual improvement of urban quality through redevelopment; spaces for different kind of activities which are directly linked to the public transport network. One strategy is the desire for town and transport planning solutions aimed at raising the levels of accessibility to the various areas of territory through an integrated transport network which pivots around railways. This runs in common with the policies defined by the regional government instruments which are made available by the Naples Council Administration. These include the 1997 Council transport Project, the Primary Infrastructure Net Plan and the General Masterplan which was developed during the period 1004-2004.

The renovation and extension of the underground network and its station has been of particular importance. For Naples, a city renowned for its traffic congestion, the opportunity to increase the role of fast underground public transport is essential. Before the Hundred Station Project, the Naples underground network numbered a total of 57 stations, while the network development project foresees 114 stations, of which a large number will be finished by 2015. The lines involved in the project will function as crossover links for the main stops in the historic city centre. will also connect to the Capodichino Airport and to the centre of the area facing the sea in the direction of Posillipo. Montesanto station has also been involved, which is the arrival point for the centre of Naples for the “Circumflegrea” regional rail network and the cable railway.

As has already been mentioned, the aims of the “100 stations project” linked to the development of the underground rail network are many. However, the aim of using the stations as opportunities of redevelopment and valorisation of urban areas which are presently run down is certainly one of the most important. To this end, the planning of the stations has been assigned to a series of internationally prestigious architects (Gae Aulenti, Mario Botta, Massimiliano Fuksas, Janis Kounellis, Dominique Perrault, Richard Rogers, Álvaro Siza to cite but a few). This has been to focus on new and high quality work which is internationally recognisable in the problematic but extraordinary context of Naples.

The “stations” projects are not limited to the buildings and the interiors of the stations, even if there are the works of contemporary art in the existing and new stations (the “Art Station”). The projects have often extended to an extensive urban redevelopment of the surrounding areas. It is thus the key tool of a “urban point renew” strategy and at the same time a tourist and cultural valorisation of many neglected sites. In some cases, the projects are located in non-historic areas of the city. This has allowed not only a physical, but also a cultural redevelopment (potentially of tourist interest) in recently built (and often problematic) areas. This was to maximise the effects not only in terms of transport but also in urban, and thus, economic and social.

An example of this valorisation/Reuse policy is linked to the archaeological heritage found during digging, some of which is of upmost importance. These artefacts were “included” in the stations project (the “Archaeology Station”, located mostly in the area close to the central area).

Procedures and actions New Architecture and renewal of public spaces, as strategies for Urban Regeneration. In Naples experience a lot of attention is paid to the realization of projects characterized by high quality standards both from the technical point of view (the underground of Naples is one of the most recent and is being carried out to the highest design standards) that urban-architectural.

From the earliest planning stages are involved as well as transport experts, including planners and architects of international renown with the dual aim of maximizing the benefits in terms of urban planning and construction of the infrastructure as an opportunity to take advantage of deep architectural and urban regeneration of the streets, public spaces, access routes to the infrastructure.

The redevelopment or construction of each station becomes an opportunity for the creation of a true work of art as well as an opportunity to intervene on the quality of the infrastructure.

One of the main areas of involvement to strengthen the underground system was the historic city centre which is the main area of the urban structure and the platform for the merging of the lines. In this area there are 26 of the 144 stations: 13 have already been completed, 2 will be completed by 2015, 4 are in the planning stages and 4 more are foreseen. The interventions also involve other areas of the city: not only the historical and monumental city (ex. /Montecalvario, via , Piazza ), but also peripheral areas degraded (ex. Centro Direzionale, , Scampia).

Lessons learned and The Hundred Station Project: art, architecture and town planning to renew utility the districts. In a underground/subway development plan, the station infrastructure is a fundamental pivot. With the Hundred Station Project Naples Council has confronted the challenge of strengthening the whole rail transport network of the whole Naples metropolitan area: railway, cable railway, Circumflegrea Regional rail network, rail network and finally the underground network. The opportunity has been taken to link to this engineering project of the “stations” also the redevelopment of exterior public spaces and the areas around the station. More generally it has also included the introduction to the city of architectural and artistic works of high quality, to the benefit of both the citizen and the tourist. In this way sensitising the citizen to use urban space in a respectful way. This has made Naples a globally appreciated “model” for different cities all over the world.

Awards:

• Campania Region was awarded in London for the "Most Innovative Approach to Station Development" prize, given to the undergroung network of naples and Campania Region, in the frame work of "Metros 2009"

• LEAF Awards 2013 (announced the 20 th September in London) for the best Public Building of the Year Transport – Infrastructure. The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards honour the architects designing the buildings and solutions that are setting the benchmark for the international architectural community.

One of the critical aspects is certainly the difficulty incurred during the project execution, due to unforeseen events (archaeological finds, in particular) that have predicted a longer time for the realization. The city has undergone a modification of urban mobility, due to the work in progress, which has had to adapt to new sites, in key areas of the city.

In some cases, the introduction of large areas of restricted traffic zones has solved this problem by reducing road traffic, but the transaction has been many controversies by the citizens, resulting in a succession of protests against the Limited traffic zones.

Bibliographic and a) Bibliographic sources : further sources City Council of Naples, Infrastructure Department

web-sites:

www.comune.napoli.it; www.metro.na.it

http://www.archilovers.com/p87578/Toledo-metro-station-Napoli

b) Contacts/interviews

Gaetano Mollura

Role in the USEAct Project: Project coordinator/Lead Partner

[email protected]

tel. /mob. : +39 081 7958932 - +39 3395677396

Enclosed Pictures The Council transports project and the 100 stations project

Miano

Aeroporto

Nicolardi

Stadera

Tribunale

Garibaldi

Cilea Cinthia Sirena

Giochi del

Campi flegrei

1994 45 stations

2011 61 stations

The transports system in 2002

Piscinol

Poggioreal

Pianur Garibald Ponticell

Vanvite ll Montesant

Bagnol Campi