“Surplus Infrastructures” aims to understand present and future roles of infrastructural footprints in the dispersed urbanized territories of Western Europe. The phenomena considered are those territories defined as a “city-territory” (Corboz, 1990) or “archipelago metropolitano” (Indovina, 2003) where infrastructural assets act as “the basic, underlying framework of a system or organization”, or, “the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area (Harper Etymology Dictionary, 2010). Infrastructures are emblematic of specific historical periods, economies and ideologies. Due to ongoing economic and ecological crises, we deem it crucial to understand the effect these processes have in shaping the system of relations that infrastructure establishes within both the urban realm and the natural environment (Keil, 2013). The cross-references between the Corbozian interpretation of the territory and the systemic design approach proposed by Alan Berger defines the framework of the thesis. These two perspectives together open up specific analytical, interpretative and design trajectories. If the metaphor of the palimpsest (Corboz, 1983) implies a better understanding of the territorial complexity and components, systemic thinking (Berger, 2014) creates bridges between them. These trajectories and their cross-references will be fully exposed and explored throughout the case studies. The body of the thesis is therefore defined by the research activities conducted on two parallel case studies and then is deepened in one specific site. The empirical research consists primarily of a set of critical cartographic investigations revealing a hidden geography of wasted, wasteful and disruptive infrastructures on two city-territories in Europe. Doing so the research hypothesis are deepened and reformulated according to the research findings. Subsequently, in order to frame and fulfill the research question one specific site has been explored trough a participatory, design oriented workshop with the involvement of young professionals and relevant stakeholders. The objectives of the research are twofold. First, the research aims to contribute to descriptions of the dispersed urban patterns in Europe through a specific understanding of the Anthropocene by examining the infrastructural assets critically. Second, the goal is to explore evolving scenarios in which to rethink the systems of relations of infrastructure towards a systemic recycling and up-cycling actions. How can we evolve from a process of urbanization in which we accumulate materials and consume resources towards an alternative condition where infrastructural synergies might activate positive (cyclic) interactions between both the urban realm and the environment? The hypothesis considers the possibility of revealing hidden geographies of wasted, wasteful and disruptive infrastructures in the European city-territories. The research hypothesis anchors the interpretation of the territory as the result of the selective accumulation of traces (Corboz, 1983; Secchi, 2000) on one side, and as the emergent geography of dross (Berger 2007) resulting from urban sprawl and economic failures on the other side. Thus the will is to find out the amount (quantitative)and the spatial dimension (qualitative) of infrastructure’s surplus. The research hypothesis approaches the infrastructural footprints of city territories as part of the region’s complex stratification and as a consequence of inefficiency and obsolescence. The case studies unfold the hypothesis through specific interpretative mappings able to fully describe the contemporary operative and spatial condition of their infrastructural footprints. Specifically, these interpretative mappings look to the amount of surplus present both in Limburg and Friuli Venezia-Giulia. The case based approach uncovered a geography of inefficiency and a loss of spatial opportunities in both Regions. In fact, one of the principal outputs of this research is considered the revelatory component of the critical cartography. Secondly, the workshop itself revealed the potential of a possible re-configuration of the existing infrastructural assets throughout as well some of the concepts elaborated in the theoretical framework. The research question evaluates the possibility of considering this “surplus” as a critical mass capable of sustaining a coherent metamorphosis of the city territory in response to its contemporary crisis. How, today, could city-territories be recycled and up-cycled through a strategic manipulation of their infrastructural components - considering both its natural and artificial rationalities? From one side, the workshop has been an occasion to test the theoretical framework, while on the other hand the workshop itself promoted new knowledge related to territorial re-configuration. Thus the research by design methodology does not promoted a fixed output but, on the contrary, it promotes a site-specific knowledge able to to fulfill and further elaborate the research question. The case of Houthalen-Helchteren (BE) revealed the potential for the systemic approach by enhancing existing conditions through the involvement of emerging economies present on site. This research builds upon existing infrastructures and stakeholders. These aspects made it possible to disclose hidden potentials and instigate new synergies amongst previously separated spheres of territorial management practices.

“Surplus Infrastructures” è una ricerca che si interroga sul ruolo, presente e futuro, degli assetti infrastrutturali nei territori della dispersione urbana in Europa. I fenomeni trattati sono quei territori definiti come “città territorio” (Corboz, 1990) o “arcipelago metropolitano” (Indovina, 2003). Per assetti infrastrutturali si considerano “la struttura sottesa ad un sistema o ad un'organizzazione”, o, “the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area (Harper Etymology Dictionary, 2010). Essendo le infrastrutture emblematiche dei periodi storici, e quindi delle loro relative economie ed ideologie, pensiamo possa essere coerente e rilevante oggi, comprendere come questi assetti possano rispondere alle crisi contemporanee (economica ed ecologica). Riteniamo cruciale comprendere in che modo il sistema di relazioni, che le infrastrutture creano nei territori della dispersione urbana, possa rispondere a questa specifica condizione. Corboz, e il concetto del territorio come palinsesto, e l’approccio del systemic design proposto da Alan Berger forniscono da sfondo concettuale ed interpretativo per questa ricerca. Se da una parte la metafora del territorio come palinsesto (Corboz, 1983) fornisce una chiave interpretativa in grado di comprendere la complessità e le componenti del territorio, il pensiero sistemico di Berger (2009) fornisce degli strumenti per coniugarli. L'incrocio di questi approcci è esplorato nelle varie parti della tesi. Il corpo della tesi è rappresentato dalle attività di ricerca sviluppate su due casi studio. La ricerca empirica è costituita principalmente da un insieme di indagini cartografiche che rivelano una geografia nascosta di infrastrutture sprecate, sottoutilizzate e abbandonate relative a due città-territorio Europee. Gli obiettivi della ricerca sono duplici. In primo luogo, la ricerca si propone di contribuire alla descrizione della città territorio in Europa esaminando i suoi assetti infrastrutturali criticamente. In secondo luogo, l'obiettivo è quello di esplorare scenari di trasformazione in cui ripensare i sistemi di relazioni delle infrastrutture attraverso azioni di up-cycling, re-cycling e downgrading. Come possiamo evolvere da un processo di urbanizzazione in cui accumuliamo materiali e consumiamo risorse verso una condizione alternativa, in cui le sinergie infrastrutturali attivano interazioni positive (cicliche) tra città e ambiente? L'ipotesi considera la possibilità di rivelare le geografie nascoste delle infrastrutture sprecate, nella città-territorio Europea. L'ipotesi di ricerca si fonda sull'interpretazione del territorio come il risultato di un accumulo selettivo di tracce (Corboz, 1983; Secchi, 2000) da un lato, e come una geografia emergente di scarti (Berger 2007) derivanti dalla dispersione urbana e da fallimenti economici dall’altra. La volontà è quella di scoprire la quantità e la dimensione spaziale del surplus infrastrutturale. La domanda di ricerca valuta la possibilità di considerare questo "surplus" come una massa critica in grado di sostenere una metamorfosi coerente al territorio ed in grado di affrontare le crisi contemporanee.

Surplus infrastructures, two cases in Western Europe

MOTTI, MATTEO

Abstract

“Surplus Infrastructures” aims to understand present and future roles of infrastructural footprints in the dispersed urbanized territories of Western Europe. The phenomena considered are those territories defined as a “city-territory” (Corboz, 1990) or “archipelago metropolitano” (Indovina, 2003) where infrastructural assets act as “the basic, underlying framework of a system or organization”, or, “the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area (Harper Etymology Dictionary, 2010). Infrastructures are emblematic of specific historical periods, economies and ideologies. Due to ongoing economic and ecological crises, we deem it crucial to understand the effect these processes have in shaping the system of relations that infrastructure establishes within both the urban realm and the natural environment (Keil, 2013). The cross-references between the Corbozian interpretation of the territory and the systemic design approach proposed by Alan Berger defines the framework of the thesis. These two perspectives together open up specific analytical, interpretative and design trajectories. If the metaphor of the palimpsest (Corboz, 1983) implies a better understanding of the territorial complexity and components, systemic thinking (Berger, 2014) creates bridges between them. These trajectories and their cross-references will be fully exposed and explored throughout the case studies. The body of the thesis is therefore defined by the research activities conducted on two parallel case studies and then is deepened in one specific site. The empirical research consists primarily of a set of critical cartographic investigations revealing a hidden geography of wasted, wasteful and disruptive infrastructures on two city-territories in Europe. Doing so the research hypothesis are deepened and reformulated according to the research findings. Subsequently, in order to frame and fulfill the research question one specific site has been explored trough a participatory, design oriented workshop with the involvement of young professionals and relevant stakeholders. The objectives of the research are twofold. First, the research aims to contribute to descriptions of the dispersed urban patterns in Europe through a specific understanding of the Anthropocene by examining the infrastructural assets critically. Second, the goal is to explore evolving scenarios in which to rethink the systems of relations of infrastructure towards a systemic recycling and up-cycling actions. How can we evolve from a process of urbanization in which we accumulate materials and consume resources towards an alternative condition where infrastructural synergies might activate positive (cyclic) interactions between both the urban realm and the environment? The hypothesis considers the possibility of revealing hidden geographies of wasted, wasteful and disruptive infrastructures in the European city-territories. The research hypothesis anchors the interpretation of the territory as the result of the selective accumulation of traces (Corboz, 1983; Secchi, 2000) on one side, and as the emergent geography of dross (Berger 2007) resulting from urban sprawl and economic failures on the other side. Thus the will is to find out the amount (quantitative)and the spatial dimension (qualitative) of infrastructure’s surplus. The research hypothesis approaches the infrastructural footprints of city territories as part of the region’s complex stratification and as a consequence of inefficiency and obsolescence. The case studies unfold the hypothesis through specific interpretative mappings able to fully describe the contemporary operative and spatial condition of their infrastructural footprints. Specifically, these interpretative mappings look to the amount of surplus present both in Limburg and Friuli Venezia-Giulia. The case based approach uncovered a geography of inefficiency and a loss of spatial opportunities in both Regions. In fact, one of the principal outputs of this research is considered the revelatory component of the critical cartography. Secondly, the workshop itself revealed the potential of a possible re-configuration of the existing infrastructural assets throughout as well some of the concepts elaborated in the theoretical framework. The research question evaluates the possibility of considering this “surplus” as a critical mass capable of sustaining a coherent metamorphosis of the city territory in response to its contemporary crisis. How, today, could city-territories be recycled and up-cycled through a strategic manipulation of their infrastructural components - considering both its natural and artificial rationalities? From one side, the workshop has been an occasion to test the theoretical framework, while on the other hand the workshop itself promoted new knowledge related to territorial re-configuration. Thus the research by design methodology does not promoted a fixed output but, on the contrary, it promotes a site-specific knowledge able to to fulfill and further elaborate the research question. The case of Houthalen-Helchteren (BE) revealed the potential for the systemic approach by enhancing existing conditions through the involvement of emerging economies present on site. This research builds upon existing infrastructures and stakeholders. These aspects made it possible to disclose hidden potentials and instigate new synergies amongst previously separated spheres of territorial management practices.
PUCCI, PAOLA
SECCHI, MARIALESSANDRA
DE MEULDER, BRUNO
29-mar-2017
“Surplus Infrastructures” è una ricerca che si interroga sul ruolo, presente e futuro, degli assetti infrastrutturali nei territori della dispersione urbana in Europa. I fenomeni trattati sono quei territori definiti come “città territorio” (Corboz, 1990) o “arcipelago metropolitano” (Indovina, 2003). Per assetti infrastrutturali si considerano “la struttura sottesa ad un sistema o ad un'organizzazione”, o, “the fundamental facilities and systems serving a country, city, or area (Harper Etymology Dictionary, 2010). Essendo le infrastrutture emblematiche dei periodi storici, e quindi delle loro relative economie ed ideologie, pensiamo possa essere coerente e rilevante oggi, comprendere come questi assetti possano rispondere alle crisi contemporanee (economica ed ecologica). Riteniamo cruciale comprendere in che modo il sistema di relazioni, che le infrastrutture creano nei territori della dispersione urbana, possa rispondere a questa specifica condizione. Corboz, e il concetto del territorio come palinsesto, e l’approccio del systemic design proposto da Alan Berger forniscono da sfondo concettuale ed interpretativo per questa ricerca. Se da una parte la metafora del territorio come palinsesto (Corboz, 1983) fornisce una chiave interpretativa in grado di comprendere la complessità e le componenti del territorio, il pensiero sistemico di Berger (2009) fornisce degli strumenti per coniugarli. L'incrocio di questi approcci è esplorato nelle varie parti della tesi. Il corpo della tesi è rappresentato dalle attività di ricerca sviluppate su due casi studio. La ricerca empirica è costituita principalmente da un insieme di indagini cartografiche che rivelano una geografia nascosta di infrastrutture sprecate, sottoutilizzate e abbandonate relative a due città-territorio Europee. Gli obiettivi della ricerca sono duplici. In primo luogo, la ricerca si propone di contribuire alla descrizione della città territorio in Europa esaminando i suoi assetti infrastrutturali criticamente. In secondo luogo, l'obiettivo è quello di esplorare scenari di trasformazione in cui ripensare i sistemi di relazioni delle infrastrutture attraverso azioni di up-cycling, re-cycling e downgrading. Come possiamo evolvere da un processo di urbanizzazione in cui accumuliamo materiali e consumiamo risorse verso una condizione alternativa, in cui le sinergie infrastrutturali attivano interazioni positive (cicliche) tra città e ambiente? L'ipotesi considera la possibilità di rivelare le geografie nascoste delle infrastrutture sprecate, nella città-territorio Europea. L'ipotesi di ricerca si fonda sull'interpretazione del territorio come il risultato di un accumulo selettivo di tracce (Corboz, 1983; Secchi, 2000) da un lato, e come una geografia emergente di scarti (Berger 2007) derivanti dalla dispersione urbana e da fallimenti economici dall’altra. La volontà è quella di scoprire la quantità e la dimensione spaziale del surplus infrastrutturale. La domanda di ricerca valuta la possibilità di considerare questo "surplus" come una massa critica in grado di sostenere una metamorfosi coerente al territorio ed in grado di affrontare le crisi contemporanee.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10589/132642