Borghi urbani. Sguardi progettuali per il riuso

This contribution presents the results of a design research activity carried out in a university context, focusing on the theme of urban village regeneration. The design process incorporates various methodologies deve- loped in the context of architectural pedagogy. Specifically, the study examines the city of Udine in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in northeastern Italy. Udine features an intermediate area between its historical center and the peri-urban territories, consisting of villages that historically emerged from a blend of urban and rural cultures. These homogeneous city segments are now partially abandoned. The projects developed by students in the Archi- tectural Design Laboratory 1, part of the Master of Architecture program at the University of Udine (professors: Giovanni La Varra, Alberto Cervesato, Christina Conti), offer a critical perspective on these areas. They propose a process of transformation and revitalisation of these ‘urban voids’, with the aim of renewing the social and econo- mic fabric of significant parts of the city. The projects developed preserve the character of the historic centre while at the same time allowing architectural interventions to introduce infrastructures and forms of living that attract residents, businesses and new activities.