The regeneration project launched at the Fornaci Picci factory on Via Brigata Sassari took first place in the national "Home" category of the fourth edition of the Future4Cities award, promoted by Will Media and From, which annually showcases the most innovative projects in urban Italy.
From over 250 applications received from all over Italy, the jury of 17 experts in urban regeneration, architecture and social innovation selected 25 finalists, five for each of the five award categories: after the community's online voting, which closed on September 4th, the winners were announced today in Turin.
The Quartu city government's project for Fornaci Picci is a winning one, a radical urban regeneration project for a former industrial area spanning approximately 57,000 square meters. Work is already underway on the building adjacent to the entrance and on the urban park that will surround the entire new complex, encompassing public, cultural, and residential spaces. Pedestrian and bicycle paths, green spaces, approximately 300 parking spaces around the buildings, and a dog park are planned, all monitored by security cameras.
The redevelopment project will continue with further public funding and private contributions, transforming an area with several critical issues and signs of degradation into an urban space with diverse functions: residential, for which social housing, socio-cultural, and environmental interventions are planned. The project, which, with its winning the Turin Prize, has already become an example of regeneration worthy of replication, effectively integrates social cohesion and sustainable innovation.
The City of Quartu's Councilor for Public Works, Antonio Conti, was present to accept the award: "This is a significant achievement that honors our city. The praise from a community so committed to innovation and the need to evolve makes us proud and thrilled. Not only the international jury's appreciation, but also the 40,000 votes from users confirm the appreciation for a project destined to transform that part of the Quartu area."
City Planning Councilor Aldo Vanini, who was unable to attend Turin due to other unavoidable institutional commitments, was also pleased: "This award repays us for the difficulties we encountered along the way to launch this project, so crucial to the city's rebirth. For us, it's a first milestone, but still an intermediate one. We intend to continue on this path to transform a critical issue that the city has been struggling with for half a century into a resource for the citizens of Quartu and the entire metropolitan area."
