17 Marzo 2025
Augustina Berta
Connectivity, resilience, and sustainability are concepts proposed by the project team comprised of ATI Project, a-fact Architecture Factory (Parallel Collective), Weber Architects, and Parcnouveau for the development of a social housing district in the Bertalia-Lazzaretto neighborhood of Bologna, Italy.
The master plan, approximately 6,200 m² in area, stands out for its integration into the immediate surroundings, highlighting landscape elements such as the green spaces of Reno Park and the Ghisiliera Canal. Through a regeneration process, the project aims to transform the area into a dynamic urban center.
The winning proposal for the new Bertalia-Lazzaretto Ecodistrict in Bologna by ATI Project, a-fact architecture factory, Weber Architects, and Parcnouveau is not a residential project, but a new urban ecosystem.
The New Ecodistrict is conceived through a multi-scale approach that enhances the north-south landscape axis defined by the Ghisiliera Canal, transforming it into a green corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. This infrastructure acts as a central axis that runs along the urban layout, connecting existing and new spaces and promoting sustainable mobility.
By incorporating open public spaces for well-being, the intervention encourages encounters and socialization among both new residents and the local community. This vision of a collective habitat is inspired by the social richness of historic cities and contemporary principles of sustainability. This is not simply an urban expansion, but a regeneration process that returns vital public spaces to the community, fostering integration and creating an active neighborhood experience.
The volumetric configuration and the varied heights of the building blocks, characterized by a variety of colors, are inspired by Bologna’s historic center, reinforcing the sense of belonging, crucial for new residents. Additionally, the outdoor gallery is conceived as something more than a simple passageway and becomes a social catalyst.
Complementary to this, the bioclimatic design optimizes access to natural light and ventilation, enhances energy efficiency, and supports the physical and mental well-being of residents.The flexible housing mix and the strategic arrangement of apartments along these outdoor galleries allow for long-term adaptability, promoting socialization and completing a sustainable and dynamic living ecosystem capable of responding to contemporary challenges.
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