Spatial Planning and Housing Policies:

Creating Community Living Spaces

Site of Study: Caserma Masini


Erasmus Intensive Programme 2014
Bologna, Italy
5 - 15 March 2014


Report




Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
1

Britain
University of the West England Bristol
Luke O. Grattarola
France
Universit Franois Rabelais
Ludmilla E. Pommier Morel
Germany
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universitt Hannover
Sheila Fett
Italy
Alma Mater Studiorum Universit di Bologna
Eleonora Fabrizio
Netherlands
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
Bram P. Van den Groenendaal
Roumania
Universitatea din Oradea
Carmen G. Dragoi

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
2
Contents
1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 3
1.1. History ............................................................................................................ 3
1.2. Demography - Economy ................................................................................ 3
1.3. Location of the site ......................................................................................... 5
2. Site analysis ......................................................................................................... 6
3. Spectrum appraisal .............................................................................................. 7
4. Critical analysis of the existing policies and local initiatives ................................. 9
4.1. SWOT analysis ............................................................................................ 10
5. Creation of effective and sustainable housing policies ...................................... 12
5.1. The problem of housing in Bologna ............................................................. 12
5.2. Strategies and actions for sustainable housing ........................................... 13
6. Masterplan proposals for the creation of community living spaces .................... 15
6.1. Association ................................................................................................... 19
6.2. Phasing ........................................................................................................ 19
6.3. Spectrum Appraisal ...................................................................................... 20
7. References ......................................................................................................... 23


Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
3
1. Introduction
This report concisely analyses the social housing scenario in Bologna, Italy. Taking
into account the national, regional and municipal levels of policy as well as local fac-
tors such as the demand for housing and certain needs of the city during this eco-
nomic crisis.
1.1. History
The city of Bologna first became an urban centre under the Etruscans, and became
a free municipality in the Middle Ages. For one century it was the fifth largest Euro-
pean city based on population. (Bertocchi 2014)
The most important buildings were constructed between the 12th and 14th century,
which has set the heart of the city apart: among them were the Two Towers, tradi-
tional symbol of the city and the Basilica of San Petronio. (Bertocchi 2014)
Famous for its large number of porticos and for its two towers, the city nowadays has
a well-preserved historical centre thanks to a careful restoration and conservation
policy which began at the end of the 1970s. (Guerzoni no date)

1.2. Demography - Economy
Bologna is the principal city of the Emilia-Romana region in northern Italy and is the
seventh largest city in Italy in terms of population. (Evangelisti 2014)

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
4
Evangelisti 2014

The Bologna Metropolitan Area was counting 990,600 inhabitants in 2012 and is
waiting for 56,000 residents more for 2024. However, the rise in the average age of
the population in this area is predicted. (Bertocchi 2014)
The Municipality of Bologna has a population of 385,000 within 206,000 households.
In 2011, the part of people with a foreign background is 13.7% of the total population
of Bologna. (Bertocchi 2014)
Bologna is home to the oldest university of Europe and nowadays has a student
population of almost 100,000 with 38,000 who are temporary residents adding to
the youth and vibrance the city has to date. (Evangelisti 2014)
However, the citys economy is also based on industries, since it is a centre for Ita-
lys hi-tech industries. Bologna is also a popular trade-fair venue.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
5
1.3. Location of the site
The site is located in the Santo Stefano district which is in the old city centre. It takes
place in a refined and chiefly residential zone, the Galvani district. (Evangelisti 2014)
The site is located between Via S. Stefano, Via Borgolocchi and Via Orfeo, The site
is located between Via S. Stefano, Via Borgolocchi and Via Orfeo, three main streets
with good public transport accessibility. A short 1.5km from the city centre and not far
from Porta Santo Stefano (city gate) and is situated directly by the historical Con-
servatorio del Baraccano, with relative church, and the Giardini Margherita. (Evange-
listi 2014)


Evangelisti 2014 & Google Maps 2014
Caserma Masini was historically an important feature of the Convent of Sant
Omobono. The Barracks is composed of several buildings: a three storey building
with monumental status, a monastery dating from the nineteenth century and a two
and three storey building with no designation but in poor condition. (Evangelisti
2014)
It was originally a military barracks for the French and later Italian army. In 1990 the
site was officially closed down as a military barracks and has been disused until
2012 when a local organization of young people called Lbas occupied the site and
gave it back to the community as a place for children to do multiple activities, a local
grocery market weekly as well as live music. (Evangelisti 2014)
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
6
2. Site analysis
As a team we visited the site and examined the area under the spectrum appraisal
criteria that can be seen on the next page, as well as a SWOT analysis which identi-
fies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that the particular site and
surrounding areas possess.


Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
7
3. Spectrum appraisal
Below is a spectrum appraisal we did for the site showing strengths and weakness of
the site in its current state.

Source: Shaping Neighbourhoods (2010) pp. 67


Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
8

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
9
4. Critical analysis of the existing policies and local initiatives
The analysis of the policy initiatives that affect our decisions for our site we found
three policy documents at the municipality level that bare strong weight towards de-
velopment, those being outlined in the Bertocchi (2014):
Municipal Structural Plan (PSC)
This particular set of document provides the vision for the city for the near future.
The seven cities initiative of enhancing Bologna, focussing on seven different areas
that all have particular development strategy that can be integrated into the city. The
city of the hill concept has been noted to affect our site, as it is noted that the hills of
Bologna have been primarily utilised by private housing and residents, but this con-
cept enhances accessibility, connections and areas of interest to the hills from this
particular part of the city. Our site is located within the historical centre is a
UNESCO designated area, so all heritage must be saved and restored and also fits
in with the City of Eastern Via Emilia which aims to connect the east of Bologna to
the city centre by reducing private traffic and improving public transport system.
Municipal Operational Plan (PUV)
Due to our specific site being a former military barracks, we must take into account
the PUV, which specialises in this particular topic. Stating specific information that
must be taken into account, such as a Kindergarten, parking spaces, residential
housing of which 30% must be affordable, temporary housing, commercial units,
artistic facilities, private and public garages, restaurants and social services must be
provided on this particular site.
Town Planning and Building Regulations (RUE)
This set of documents sets very specific functions that are and are not allowed,
through dimensions of spaces required, volume of the building required, material
uses (same as are in the locality), same colour as surrounding areas, waste man-
agement systems, no Industrial uses.
The housing policies we must take into account set from the Municipality of Bologna

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
10
Social Housing policies for low-income households
The Municipality owns 12,391 dwellings and in order to apply for such low-income
housing certain conditions must be met in order to apply:
- To be in an economic situation (low-income which is on average 1000! or less per
month and with no ownership of any properties)
- You must be living or working in Bologna.
A.M.A. - Metropolitan Agency for dwellings to rent (private and public)
This is a public/private partnership between by the Province, the Municipalities and
all tennants and landlords. (Bertocchi 2014) The cost is reduced by 30% compared
to market prices.
Special programmes (co-housing, self-renovation)
Co-housing for young people is a project financed by the youth department of the
government. Such projects house up to 45 people, but have no limits, living in a col-
laborative way with about 10% common space provided.
Self-renovation programmes are when people who wish to live in specific develop-
ments join and co-operate in the renovation through unpaid labour for up to 900
hours. Which enables lower rents to be incorporated to those who have put in work-
ing hours and live there in the future.
Community projects
Community projects involve empowering local participation and community building
to improve social cohesion in a specific locality. This can be achieved by providing a
wide range of cultural and art in all popular districts, a network of community gardens
for social housing, creation of common spaces in order to allow for social mixing.
4.1. SWOT analysis
Below is a table analysing the policy that bares weight in the locality of the site, the
PSC, PUV and the RUE. As well as other policies such as UNESCO designation.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
11


Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
12
5. Creation of effective and sustainable housing policies
5.1. The problem of housing in Bologna
It is evident through the PSC, PUV and RUE that there is a problem of Housing in
Bologna:
There are 83,000 market tenants, 42,000 people with a mortgage (45% of the popu-
lation) and 24,000 tenants in public houses. (Bertocchi 2014)
The number of evictions for non-payment of rent in bologna metropolitan area has
increased from 490 in 2001 to 1,540 in 2012, with 1,029 in the municipality of Bolo-
gna alone in 2012. Compared to the other cities of the Region, Bologna has the
highest number of evictions, and the level of these evictions has tripled in 10 years.
(Bertocchi 2014)
Such issues have lead to long waiting list for a public house in Bologna Metropolitan
Area (BMA), with figures of 15,000 households applying, 63% of which from the city
itself and 45% of these households are composed of migrants from abroad. The
need of social housing in Bologna is illustrated by this waiting list on which 90% of
households have an income lower than 8,550! per annum. (Bertocchi 2014)
On average, only 650 public dwellings are assigned each year whereas the city
would need at least the double, which accounts for the long waiting list. (Bertocchi
2014)
94% of the waiting list have applied for social housing require 4 per household,
therefore the size of these social houses do need to meet these demands or the list
will go on.( (Bertocchi 2014)
In 2011, the rate of population having obtained a grant for housing is only 2,61% of
resident in BMA which shows there is a struggle to meet payment dates. (Bertocchi
2014)
Finally 45,000 people in BMA are waiting for a public house or obtained a grant
to pay the rent. ((Bertocchi 2014)

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
13
5.2. Strategies and actions for sustainable housing
Such issues as outlined above as well as the strict regulations outlined by the PSC
and especially the PUV which has been mentioned on prior pages have lead certain
criteria to be needed to support and enhance the social housing concept in the BMA.
In order to achieve the list of criteria, we worked collaboratively by electing relevant
ideas from each different nationality to incorporate all aspects of our different plan-
ning systems.
The following table shows the criteria we elected and our recommendations of how
to incorporate the criteria into our development.

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
14

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
15

6. Masterplan proposals for the creation of community living spac-
es
This development evolved from our ethos creating communities and opportuni-
ties by bringing together multiple functions, diverse social use and the empower-
ment of the people.
Our idea about creating a community living space contains a lot of different func-
tions. It isnt just about social housing. It is about finding a place to stay, when you
cant go anywhere else. Its about temporary living and also about finding a place to
stay forever.
The Masterplan will be our way of meeting our ethos in our own unique strategy.

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
16
MASTERPLAN

Description of its functions, note practical changes, how we met criteria and link back
to the policies
This is our final Masterplan which takes into account the weaknesses and threats of
the SWOT analysis as well as enhancing the strengths and opportunities. With this
plan we feel we have met our criteria as mentioned before by providing the following
set of functions.
The municipality set conditions for the development through the PSC and PUV. We
were able to meet our criteria through these functions, but by taking our ethos in re-
gard, we have added some. In the following text the functions of the Masterplan are
outlined and a detailed description of how our criteria has been achieved.
A Kindergarten On the south west corner of the plan, the previous building
was demolished because of the safety, poor quality and structural change
was needed. A new building is to be added, providing for 1000sqm of kinder-
garten which equates to 6 classes of children, safe playing area in the central
part of the building as well as good access to the inner part of the site. The
safety of the children is not the only good thing; the environment is also taken
into account by utilising the natural light, adding solar panels and green roof.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
17
Also by removing the existing building we are creating another entrance to the
square on the west part of the site from Via Borgolocchi.
Parking spaces Provisions underground of 1 space per private house but
also for other residential developments who wish to purchase them for a fee
from the association. This enables for finance to be made back on the devel-
opment. With 1 entrance with a traffic light system which minimised the
amount of land used for access. Also trees to be planted within the car park to
allow for natural light in from the square, as they grown through the ceiling of
the car park.
Residential housing of which 30% must be affordable On the site there will
be 2 types of social housing which will be outlined later. The floor level of the
development will be 6774sqm of which1254sqm or 16 apartments will be
temporarily social housing with an option to stay through buy outs or higher
rents. This is located above the museum on the northern part of the site cov-
ering 2 floors. 1278sqm or 40 units will be for student accommodation on the
eastern part of the site over 3 floors as well as accommodating shared facili-
ties and communal areas as well as balconies and open roofs for those on the
third floor that acts as a private space. This equates to 37% social housing
which has exceeded the target.
Temporary Housing - As mentioned above 1254sqm will be temporary hous-
ing, this enables tenants to stay for up to 2 years. If tenants have no job, then
jobs will be provided on site in the number of facilities. Whilst providing these
other functions, external employment can be sought. This means with safer
employment, there is an option provided to stay beyond the 2 years through
increasing the rent or partial buy in to the development through a mortgage
system. This means throughout time the social housing will become mixed
leading to an ever diverse population. It also means that social housing will
forever be bringing in money and therefore financially sustainable.
Commercial units On the south of the site in the existing building, the bottom
floor is partial removed and pillars are inserted to provide better visuals and
access to the site. Also a small bakery and cycle repair shop are located on
the ground floor facing the square and the street that increases permeability
and encourages the use of cycling in the area.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
18
Artistic facilities On the north of the site, on the ground floor as mentioned
before will be a museum which is in remembrance of the movement against
the fascist regime that took place in this very building during the 1940s.
Restaurants and social services On the north west of the site on the ground
floor will be a restaurant accessible from the via Borgolocchi and the square.
It also gives a great opportunity for a terrace onto the square and utilising nat-
ural light. The facilities can also be used by people staying the hostel and stu-
dents. The kitchen also feeds the kindergarten and the library which means it
is sustainable. Other social services such as the library on the north of the
site, providing good student environment and learning facilities for locals and
the kindergarten. Also the Community centre, where local meetings can be
held for the community, local businesses, local clubs as well as skills retrain-
ing for local people and other organisations. Finally the social gardening facili-
ties which provide goods for restaurant use as well as being sold in the week-
ly market which aids it in being self sufficient.
There are also other facilities that the community demanded and us as developers
wished to provide making the development hospitable to local needs. Those being:
Hostel Due to lack of hostels in the city centre, it would be a good idea to
provide such here. The hostel weve planned is in the north of the site above
the restaurant and will be able to provide beds for about 50 people; making it
a function supports the finances of the development. Its a good addition be-
cause friends and relatives could reside here and encourage diversity within
the development and in the city through different travelling parties staying.
Veranda This acts as a green entrance to the community centre and en-
hancing the social gardens. The current one will be removed due to the as-
bestos within the structure, but the metal structure will remain and shall be
covered with a glass roof and greenery covering the poles.
Square Located in front of the restaurant and museum, it provides space for
restaurant and museum activities as well as hosting the weekly market. For
this cars will be allowed to enter but once a week for the market only. Also cy-
cle provisions such as bike racks and CCTV will be installed. Located here will
also be small separate units for recycling and general waste, where rubbish
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
19
will be held underground and removed weekly during off peak time to mini-
mise disruption.
Park between the bakery, bike shop and kindergarten will be a small park
for all to access, with a wide range of biodiversity and areas for relaxation.
The park will consist of 2 layers one beginning in the garage underneath with
the trees planted within will sprout through into this park acting as
shrubs/bushes.
Private apartments In the south of the site, above the bakery and cycle re-
pair shop will be 6 luxury private apartments on 3 floors, which will be made
possible by adding a level to the already existing and thus providing a nice
view of the area. Constructed of modern materials and balconies are added.
These will be made for sale rather than rent, to finance the start of the project.
Also solar panels will be installed to the roof of this complex which contributes
to power of the homes and shops on the ground floor.
6.1. Association
We would also like to set up an association for the development that includes a
number of parties such as the municipality, the developers, local citizens and entre-
preneurs. The association will be able to make decisions concerning the site, such
as maintenance schedules, employments, rules, tenants and financing. Its important
that all people are involved in the development are empowered, especially those
who will live there and those in the surrounding streets. The association can meet
weekly or monthly, but all parties must be present for decisions to be made.
6.2. Phasing
For the development to be successful it must be implemented through phases, we
propose 4 phases:
Phase 1- Build the social centre at in the north of the development. It allows the cur-
rent occupiers to still have a place within the site for their social activities and there-
fore would be able to integrate within the development more easily. The rest of the
development will be built at a better rate if there is no interference from the occupi-
ers. Including the demolition of the veranda which includes getting rid of the asbes-
tos to let building of the community building to start as soon as possible.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
20
Phase 2 Demolition of any buildings and the creation of the parking lot and access
point. This includes the demolishing of the building on the south-west corner of the
site, the small building in the south-east corner (entrance of the parking lot).
Phase 3 The building of the private apartments: adding a layer on top and modern-
izing the building. Also the building of the student apartments: Restoring the build-
ings state and adding a floor on different places. Because its important to make
money at the beginning of the project we have to make sure that these houses will
be sold and rented. In order to make that more likely to happen its necessary to in-
clude the park in this phase.
Phase 4 The building of the social housing, hostel, restaurant, the square and the
kindergarten, to provide more services for the already existing inhabitants and its a
much safer site so the kindergarten can be built. This phase will also encourage the
start of the weekly market use.
Phase 5 The building of the library and the museum as enough money would have
been generated from the prior stage to fund these smaller projects. The building of
the museum doesnt cause too much disruption in the neighbourhood as its a small-
er project. Also the library is accessible from Via santo stefano so children wont be
affected either.
6.3. Spectrum Appraisal
This spectrum appraisal is made after the development is proposed and can be
compared to the previous one made during the site analysis phase.
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
21

Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
22

As you can see by the spectrum appraisal above, it has completed a very good ap-
praisal compared to the one completed during the site analysis stage. There have
been vast improvements throughout every category especially Social capital, Job
Opportunities, Renewable Energy, Mixed Use and Pedestrian Access. These
improvements are due to satisfying our criteria as mentioned before.


Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
23
7. References
Barton, H., Grant, M. & Guise, R. 2010. Shaping Neighbourhoods. London:
Routledge.
Bertocchi, I., 2014: Presentation from the 7th of March 2014: Erasmus intensive pro-
gramme. Spatial planning and housing policies: creating community living
spaces. Housing policy and urban planning in Bologna new programmes
and policies. Comune di Bologna. Housing Department. Municipality of Bolo-
gna. Bologna, 32 S.
Cirrus Media, 2014: Aaay, McKenzie designs Fonzie flats. Last visited 13th March
2014, http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/buildings/aaay-
mckenzie-designs-fonzie-flats
City of Penticton, 2012: Charrette produces creative design concepts for Downtown
Penticton. Last visited 13th March 2014,
http://www.penticton.ca/EN/meta/city-news/news-archives/2012-
archives/charrette-produces-creative-design-concepts-for-downtown-
penticton.html
Evangelisti, F., 2014: Presentation from the 7th of March 2014: Conservation and
regeneration. The re-use of the MASIBNI barracks in Bolognass historical
center. Comune di Bologna. Dipartimento riqualificazione urbana. 60. S.
Freshome - Design & Architecture Magazine 2007-2014: Magazine Ingenious Pro-
ject: 100 Student Dorms Rooms Made From Shipping Containers. Last visited
13th March 2014, http://freshome.com/2010/10/01/ingenious-project-100-
student-dorm-rooms-made-from-shipping-containers/
Freshome - Design & Architecture Magazine, 2007-2014: Knowledge Meets Faith In
Modern Dutch Church Reconversion. Last visited 13th March 2014,
http://freshome.com/2012/06/26/knowledge-meets-faith-in-modern-dutch-
church-reconversion/
Gabellini, P., 2014: Presentation from the 6th of March 2014: Bologna Structural
Plan (PSC). Erasmus Intensive Programme. Bologna. 37 S.
Guerzoni, M., no date: Presentation from the 6th of March 2014: Housing policies
and social housing issues in Bologna Metropolitan Area. Bologna. 33 S
Spatial Planning and Housing Policies: Creating Community Living Spaces
24
Home Designs and Pictures, 2010: Dorm Room Design Idea for Decorating. Last
visited 13th March 2014, http://homesickdesigns.com/interior-design-and-
decorating/dorm-room-design-idea-for-decorating.html
Interior Designe, 2012: Museum Art. Last visited 13th March 2014,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Art_Museum_interior.jpg
Municipality for Bologna, 2008: Iperbole. Las visited 12th March,
http://informa.comune.bologna.it/iperbole/psc/articoli/831
Municipality of Bologna, 2008: Iperbole. Las visited 12th March,
http://sitmappe.comune.bologna.it/pucviewer/flash/pucviewer.html
Municipality of Bologna, 2008: Iperbole. Las visited 12th March,
http://urp.comune.bologna.it/PortaleTerritorio/portaleterritorio.nsf/f2c8a44b338
c7faac125706e004b27cd/4cae8635379bede5c125787f002e3541
WordPres,s no date: Dorm Room Design Idea for Decorating. Last visited 13th
March 2014, http://homesickdesigns.com/interior-design-and-
decorating/dorm-room-design-idea-for-decorating.html
WordPress, 2013: Decorations Ideas All About Dcor. Last visited 13th March 2014,
http://decoration0.com/photos-veranda-veranda-moderne
WordPress, no date: Small Living Room with Effective Decoration. Last visited 13th
March 2014, http://ynnu.net/small-living-room-with-effective-decoration