Learning from the Lama

3. How did the issues on metabolic and inclusive vitalities and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?
The analysis of the natural mechanisms existing within the Lama and the study of its complex geography and biology generate exchange models that, once implemented and replicated, could contribute to reinforcing its biodiversity, with positive effects on environmental quality, urban liveability and economic processes. The piazzas of Bitonto, Palombaio and Mariotto would then become the physical places where such regenerative processes take place on a human scale, due to their historical relevance and importance in the community. Owing to their privileged location between the city, the Lama and the surrounding agricultural land, the piazzas become a nodal point in the major linear system created by the geography of the Lama Balice and the cycling pathways that connect the Apulia’s coastline with the inland area.

4. Have you treated this issue previously? What were the reference projects that inspired yours?
While still university students, we explored the regeneration of vast urban and natural areas in our master thesis, with regard to the coastal cities of Almada (PT) and Bari (IT), starting off with a rich analysis in order to devise a masterplan. After university, we tackled the same regeneration subjects working in offices and multidisciplinary teams to draw executive projects and line guide documents, experiencing the complex relation between institutions, citizens and designers, especially in the context of the regeneration plan under way in the city of Milan. Our work methodology has been applied during the visit and the analysis of the project sites. In this sense, the exploration of the territory of Bitonto was a major source of inspiration. During the design phase, rather than referring to specific existing projects, we opted for a different approach by taking into account the range of good practices, as well as the methodology of urban planning and architecture practices learned throughout our experience and course of study. The result lies in a project that rather focuses on the site and its local instances, as opposed to a strong and definite architectural shape.

5. Urban-architectural projects like the ones in Europan can only be implemented together with the actors through a negotiated process and in time. How did you consider this issue in your project?
Our project outlines a general approach and strategy for the entire municipality by factoring in the complex territory dynamics and the possibility of sustainable growth, as well as reconnecting it to the landscape. Bitonto is developing a series of plans and projects to make the city more liveable and to support and maintain the slow mobility between the city and the countryside. Learning from the Lama aims to enhance these ongoing projects, by intertwining the different facets and aspects with the Lama Balice system. With this as a starting point, the project remains open to the different ways to implement and contribute to this plan, which may vary from scientific studies related to the biological aspects that we have introduced - from the choice of vegetation to water management and microclimate - to negotiation and partecipative processes with the dwellers and the institutions that will inhabit and live in such spaces.

6. Is it the first time you have been awarded a prize at Europan? How could this help you in your professional career?
This is our first participation in the Europan Competition. The possibility to access the dialogue with the municipality and the stakeholders involved will enable us to improve our method and strengthen our work.

TEAM IDENTITY
Laboratory: LuMaa  lab
Function: architecture, urban design
Average age of the associates: 29 years old

Has your team, together or separately, already conceived or implemented some projects and/or won any competition? if yes, which ones?
Europan is the first international competition we worked together as a team. Before that, individually, we have worked on implementation projects in the sphere of urban generation in the Italian context. In 2018 we worked on a guide lines text for the international competition for the regeneration of Bari Costa Sud (Italy): an overall planning hypothesis for a fragmented and complex territory, concerning the urban regeneration of a 10 km area  in the southeastern suburb of Bari coastline. In 2019 we worked in the context of “Designing Desio” with Politecnico di Milano on the drafting of a guide lines document for the public spaces of Desio (Italy) in a group of work in relation to municipality and local institutions. The results are published in Lo spazio pubblico come Palinsesto. In 2020 we had the opportunity to collaborate in the production of drawings in the final and executive phases of the project for the Piazza Castello masterplan (Milan, IT) with the competition winning design studio.