The problem of the architectural and social deterioration of suburban areas is an increasingly debated topic, especially by following the latest social and humanitarian emergencies that have awakened public attention. The polymorphism of families living in social housing, their national origin, traditions and the economic level have often been considered causes of widespread social and, consequently, architectural decay. In France, the district “Balzac-Touraine- Marroniers”, located in Vitry-sur-Seine, south-east of Paris, since 1996 is considered ZUS and since 2007 is part of an urban restructuring plan. The urban settlement was born in the Sixties as an avant-garde neighbourhood and as a response to a primary need of the working population of the capital city. By following historical and political changes, the complexes were emptied until they reached a situation of decay from a social, cultural and material point of view. State laws have stimulated social mixité through the diversification of the urban plans, renewing architecture, rejecting the social stigmatization of the inhabitants and re-launching economic and cultural activities. This contribution, thanks to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected with semi-direct interviews about the case study, aims to demonstrate how the architectural and urban redevelopment of open and closed spaces can be a valid response to social degradation and privileged opportunity to rebuild local identities. New architectures, new open spaces, the recovery of the existing heritage with sustainable criteria, better performing neighbourhood services, make possible to accelerate social renewal and the cultural identity of places and inhabitants.
Rinnovare l’architettura e ricostruire l’identità di luoghi ed abitanti. Il progetto a Vitry-sur-Seine in Francia
Pasquale Cucco
;
2019
Abstract
The problem of the architectural and social deterioration of suburban areas is an increasingly debated topic, especially by following the latest social and humanitarian emergencies that have awakened public attention. The polymorphism of families living in social housing, their national origin, traditions and the economic level have often been considered causes of widespread social and, consequently, architectural decay. In France, the district “Balzac-Touraine- Marroniers”, located in Vitry-sur-Seine, south-east of Paris, since 1996 is considered ZUS and since 2007 is part of an urban restructuring plan. The urban settlement was born in the Sixties as an avant-garde neighbourhood and as a response to a primary need of the working population of the capital city. By following historical and political changes, the complexes were emptied until they reached a situation of decay from a social, cultural and material point of view. State laws have stimulated social mixité through the diversification of the urban plans, renewing architecture, rejecting the social stigmatization of the inhabitants and re-launching economic and cultural activities. This contribution, thanks to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data collected with semi-direct interviews about the case study, aims to demonstrate how the architectural and urban redevelopment of open and closed spaces can be a valid response to social degradation and privileged opportunity to rebuild local identities. New architectures, new open spaces, the recovery of the existing heritage with sustainable criteria, better performing neighbourhood services, make possible to accelerate social renewal and the cultural identity of places and inhabitants.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
