Project type                                                           International Ideas Competition

Promoter                                                                Italian government and the local institutions of

a                                                                                Puglia Region, Invitalia

Collaborators                                                         Municipality of Taranto, National Urbanistic

a                                                                                Institute of Italy

Start date                                                                2016

End date                                                                 2017

Budget                                                                    115.000 Euros

Website                                                                  www.opentaranto.invitalia.it

The government of Taranto and local institutions of the Puglia Region together with the Municipality of Taranto and the National Urbanistic Institute of Italy promoted an open international competition to recollect ideas, inspiration, methodologies, strategies and a future vision of the renewal and regeneration of the Old Town, following an Action Plan. The old city of Taranto has 174.000 m2 and the whole city a population of 199.051 inhabitants.

The competition ended with the selection of the three best ideas, giving away three prizes. The proposals should above all reinforce the importance of the Old Town, strengthen its centrality and promote the cultural attraction of the area.

The historic centre of Taranto is an island between two seas, which has great potential but with the pass of the time was basically abandoned. The proposals should focus on the renewal of the dense housing area, providing public space, and improving the quality of life of its inhabitants. Not forgetting the reinforcement and identity enhancement of the cultural and historical heritage of the territory.

The winning proposal focuses on the improvement of the social, cultural, environmental and historical heritage, as well as on the reconstruction of the citizens’ culture. The urban cultural heritage improvement would be integrated in an urban regeneration strategy in order to improve the habitability of the whole city, focusing on the environment, quality of life, health, inclusion, and economic recovery.

• 18 competitors
• 3 selected best projects
• Open international competition
• Projects open to citizens of Taranto
• Citizen participation to evaluate the given ideas
• All projects were presented at an exhibition and related conference