Active mobility in historical centres: towards an accessible and competitive city

Abstract

The state of abandonment which historical districts have experienced from the second post-war period is rooted in the inadequacy of urban services, the lower level of accessibility, the lack of green urban areas and the shift of economic activities in the suburbs. Urban regeneration, since the mid-1990s, has been promoted to enhance and improve these areas by considering their vocations and opportunities. It has the aim to protect and renew existing heritage, as well as intervene in multiple dimensions of urban systems. Given this multidimensional nature, we considered walkability as a driver of the quality and attractiveness of urban areas. Throughout the redevelopment of pedestrian paths, it is possible to enhance the connectivity among houses, services, public facilities and green spaces, valuing built heritage and promoting active and sustainable mobility, synonymous with wellbeing and social inclusion. Numerous studies demonstrated how active mobility measures improve health conditions, citizens’ and city users’ opportunities, and even safety perception and attractiveness of historic city centers. This study aims to deepen the role of active mobility measures in the definition of accessibility and the redevelopment of historical districts characterized by economic and social marginality, furthermore analyzing the competitive spill-over. To this end, we identified and classified in a matrix active mobility measures, resulting from the study and comparison of the latest strategies and best practices, related to physical, economic, social and functional features of historic districts. Finally, the study proposes the application to a material case, Pizzofalcone, a significant area of the city of Naples, due to the lack of integration with the rest of the historic city center, despite its centrality, and the economic and social marginality despite the historical and architectural value of urban fabric, landscape and cultural heritage.