Venice Urban Lab
Venice Impact Hub
The Gasoholders area in San Francesco della Vigna. Towards a NEB transformation
#rigenerazione urbana, #comunità, #innovazione, #cambiamento
Author: Michele Torlaschi
Year: 2024
University: IUAV University of Venice
Department: Architecture
Level: Master Thesis
Language: Italian
Impact Hub is a global network of co-working spaces and incubators dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs and innovators. With 110 locations in 67 cities, Impact Hubs provide collaborative working environments for projects with a positive impact on society and the environment. Since 2012, they have generated over 55,000 jobs and founded more than 15,000 companies.This thesis presents a project for an Impact Hub in Venice, in the area of the gasometers in Dorsoduro, ex-Italgas. It is divided into two parts: ‘Compass Learning Cities’ and ‘Venice Impact Hub’. The first part, ‘Compass Learning Cities’, written in collaboration with other thesis groups, is based on the Learning Cities Network, a 2015 UNESCO initiative that promotes lifelong learning beyond formal education, accompanying individuals throughout their lives. The ‘Compass’ is structured in four main sections: a theoretical framework on Learning and Creative Cities and the activities of the New European Bauhaus (NEB); the definition of a Compass for planning, inspired by the NEB, with keywords and practical examples; the analysis of Learning Cities projects; and a reflection on Venice as a possible Learning City or Learning Lagoon. The NEB, a 2020 European Commission initiative, combines design, sustainability, accessibility and innovation, aiming for living and working spaces consistent with the 2030 Agenda and climate neutrality by 2050. The three core values of the NEB are: Beautiful, enhancement of beauty and space design; Sustainable, climate goals, circularity, pollution reduction, biodiversity support; Together, diversity and equality, spaces accessible to all. The second part of the thesis concerns the design of an Impact Hub in the ex-Italgas area, considered strategic for urban regeneration. The Impact Hub project in Venice aims to attract global entrepreneurs and investors, creating innovative jobs, especially for young people who might settle in the city. Venice offers opportunities for an international network of global contacts and collaborations. By collaborating with local institutions, universities and non-profit organisations, the Impact Hub would integrate into the Venetian community, stimulating co-creation and collaboration. Venice, currently dominated by tourism, could thus attract international talent and revitalise community life. The Gasometri area, strategic for its accessibility, is perfect for the Impact Hub. The Gasometri area, accessible from both the lagoon city and the metropolitan area, was chosen for the project. The urban analysis highlighted potentials and criticalities, and the study of existing Impact Hub spaces provided insights on how to create a stimulating working environment, optimise the use of space and integrate essential services. The project respects NEB principles, preserving artefacts of industrial archaeology and natural space as a green lung for Dorsoduro and Venice. It envisages the regeneration of existing blocks and the construction of a new pavilion, inspired by the geometry of gasometers, with high thermal and energy performance. The buildings will house co-working, offices, conference rooms, auditorium, classrooms, library, kitchens, social gardens, cultural events and workshops. The regenerated urban park will become a place for social gathering, recreational and cultural activities, stimulating community cohesion and wellbeing. The project also includes technological solutions such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems will guarantee energy and water resources. The thesis proposes a project based on the urban and social sustainability of the NEB, responding to the challenges of climate change and social cohesion, with the aim of attracting new economies and residents, strengthening Venice's housing vocation and reversing the trend of depopulation.
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