Opportunity in Chaos
Triggering revival of the damaged historic town centres of Italy
J.D. Jimmink (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
A. Snijders – Mentor
P.L. Tomesen – Graduation committee member
Beatriz Zapico – Coach
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Abstract
April, 2009. A medium-powered earthquake occurs in L’Aquila, Italy, causing disproportionally heavy damage: 308 people are killed, more than 1 500 people are injured and over 65 000 people are rendered homeless. The historic town centre of L’Aquila is among the most heavily affected areas.
Nine years later, the once beautiful and lively town centre is a ghost town and its people feel forgotten. During the post-disaster recovery, they have not been heard and plans have been set out without their consent. This missing element of local participation is one of the most important factors that have caused the continuing emptiness of L’Aquila’s town centre.
The goal of this architectural thesis is to provide an alternative post-disaster approach. A temporary community centre has been designed, that will be constructed in the middle of the heavily affected town centre of L’Aquila. It is completely off-the-grid and easy-to-assemble, using modern fabrication techniques. It will remain in L’Aquila during the entire recovery period of the town centre, keeping L’Aquila lively throughout. After demounting the structure, it can be rebuilt in any other similar situation.
The community centre has a simple and flexible set-up that can be adjusted to any kind of event, and it will give the inhabitants of L’Aquila a renewed sense of pride, peace and identity. On top of that, the design will provide all parties involved with a platform for discussion, in order to sustainably redevelop the city centre. Local participation is key, both in the construction and functioning of the community centre.