Forma Urbana e Inclusione Sociale

Abstract

The proposed topic concerns, in general, the decision-making process in urban planning in relation to its ideological implications, freedom of choice and the fight against urban poverty. In particular, this study focuses on ideal urban model design, and its subsequent export to different contexts, as a measure of development and reduction of economic and social inequality and marginalization of a certain part of the population. The case studies presented will be the following: the leisure city project "Tróia, garden-city" (1970) and the social housing project "Zona J" (1980). Even though they had different purposes (one was meant to be a middle class and touristic neighborhood, while the other was thought to be a neighborhood for poor people), both have the same formal project design. On one hand, Tróia continues representing a modern and quality touristic destination, “Zona J”, on the other hand, has become the emblem of degradation. What was initially meant to be a requalification and urban integration project has eventually become a further element of stigmatization. Through comparison between original intentions, what was actually built and their effective use of spaces, we tried to answer the questions that underlie this work: are there universally valid solutions? What makes the same project a reference work in a given context and the emblem of environmental and social degradation in another? Who are the individuals who take these decisions?