Architectural competition for the pedestrianization of the station square and Corso Italia in the municipality of Bordighera - 2015

Bordighera: History, Context, and Urban Redevelopment Project Bordighera is a seaside town just a few kilometers from the French border. Throughout its history, it has welcomed painters, writers, architects, royalty, politicians, and philosophers, becoming one of Europe's most important tourist destinations in the early 1900s. Numerous testimonies of this prestigious past are still visible: English villas, Queen Marguerite's villa, Monet's paintings, Charles Garnier's architecture, Dickens's writings, and the Argentina seafront promenade, dedicated to Evita Peron, who visited in 1947. The warm, breezy climate, combined with lush vegetation, has always given the town an exotic feel, closer to foreign lands than to Italy. Today, while retaining its scenic charm, Bordighera has lost some of the prestige that made it famous. However, those who love it continue to visit, hoping that something special will happen each year that will restore it to its former splendor. From an urban planning perspective, small, targeted interventions are sufficient to further enhance the city, as there are few areas requiring redevelopment and the beauty of the surrounding area is well-established. Current situation of the city center The project primarily concerns Corso Italia, Piazza Eroi della Libertà (currently a parking lot), and the train station area. These areas represent the true city center, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. Corso Italia: a wide, easily navigable street, with sidewalks and shops distributed along its entire length. Existing flowerbeds separate the pedestrian area from the driveway. The buildings range from pseudo-Art Nouveau facades to more recent, less valuable constructions. The paving alternates interlocking blocks, terracotta bricks, and old tiles. Numerous paths lead to underground garages. The overall effect creates a perceptible "urban disorder." Piazza Eroi della Libertà: The city's main parking lot, with access to the sea via an underpass with ramps and stairs, is difficult to access for strollers or wheelchairs. The square features an old newsstand, a historic fountain currently choked by cars, and a small abandoned building, a former tourist office. The vegetation consists of tall palm trees, which obscure the greenery for pedestrians. Train Station: The surrounding area is not adequately welcoming for tourists and residents. Project Objectives The redevelopment project aims to unify and organize the city center, transforming it into a continuous pedestrian walkway from Corso Italia to Piazza Eroi della Libertà, creating the so-called "Heart of the City." The main projects include: Pedestrianization of Corso Italia and the square, including the integration of the train station area. Restoration and enhancement of existing vegetation, with the possible regeneration of other green areas. Reorganization of public spaces to create clear, accessible paths and usable by all, including those with disabilities. Introduction of a defined geometric layout, capable of harmonizing existing elements and reducing visual chaos. Design Concept The project draws inspiration from the work "Regulated Cluster" (Kandinsky, 1938): Cluster = current situation, characterized by urban disorder. Regulated = project, with ordered spaces, pedestrian continuity, and harmonization of existing elements. The project's abstract composition acts like a canvas, delicately inserting itself between the existing volumes and gathering the disordered urban elements into a unified and easily perceptible whole. Expected Results Creation of a cohesive and recognizable urban center. Improved accessibility and safety for residents and tourists. Enhancement of the city's historical and landscape characteristics. Development of a strong and immediately perceptible urban identity.