Friends of Molo San Vincenzo: Action Research and Collaborative Planning

Urban regeneration involves specific features in coastal urban areas for several factors: concentration of people, functions and activities, as well as for the maritime identity originated from geographical position and community history. In urban regeneration, the factor of social dimension, in relation to the sustainability and together with economic and environmental dimension, has been seen for years as important and crucial. In this context, the CNR IRISS research group, together with Community Psychology Lab of the University of Naples Federico II, is carrying on studies aimed at defining and testing a collaborative planning methodology for urban regeneration in seaside cities, looking at the sea and the maritime culture as "common goods". Through a process of Action Research, the metropolitan coast of Naples becomes the testing ground. The paper shows the experiment in progress at San Vincenzo Pier, the main breakwater of the Port of Naples. Despite its historic-cultural value, the pier lays in a state of abandon and unavailability. The aim is to create a public space on the sea - without losing the port function - promoting the communication among Institutions, urban community and stakeholders.