Architect Luca Bertoni
ArchitectGhost Towns of the mountain regions
Ghost Towns of the mountain regions- A guide to refurbishing abandoned towns in North-western Italy
Due to migration of people during Industrialization from Italian provinces to cities for better employment opportunities, now prevails numerous “città fantasma” or ghost towns, over 6000 in the Italian rural regions. Buildings mainly inhabited by farmers, were built with local natural materials. Abandoned by their original inhabitants, due to a natural disasters or for economic, structural or demographic reasons, these places witness a bygone society. With a growing awareness and value for local identity and traditional building styles, these towns and communities can provide a source for traditional building practices.
How can these abandoned towns be reactivated through architectural methods conducted with local materials and resources?
Raw earth and natural stone represent an old tradition in the Italian Alpine regions, which are at the risk of being forgotten. In this research, these cities are examined for their structure, possible potentials are identified as a starting point for illustrative constructions with local natural materials. The research starts with focusing on the Italian northern regions, a general investigation into the extent and nature of ghost towns. Furthermore, an investigation of individual communities or buildings is carried out for revitalizing the communities as a focal point through potential solutions on a university scale.
