Sustainable Regeneration and Enlightenment

Abstract

This chapter sheds light on the continuous process of urban renewal that is essential for sustainability. Land use planning and transport are fundamental instruments for the sustainable regeneration of the cities, of their physical parts, and of their extraordinary diversity. Brownfields and ageing infrastructures should be converted into smart, green, and welcoming spaces, well integrated into the urban fabric. Many cities demonstrate that the intensification and consolidation of the urban fabric can prevent uncontrolled urban sprawl and reduce the heavy burden of emissions and congestion.

Sustainable architecture in search of excellence can lead to new forms of urban expression and a better performance of buildings and neighborhoods. Public and cultural buildings and spaces can promote collective life and local democracy and bring more value to places. Symbolic and structural projects can become beacons of the urban future. Breaking down barriers, forging partnerships with citizens and sealing relationships with the surrounding regions and the world are cardinal values to be enhanced in “imagineering” the cities of the future. Collective imagination and engineering have to become mobilized and cross-fertilized for creating the fair cities of the next generations.

8.1 Watercolour 8 San Francisco, A Gate to a Promising Startupland