Minor centres through identity and green development. The study case of Aquilonia

Abstract

It’s been a long time since the EU strategy has focused on building and urban regeneration as a priority for environmental, social and economical development policies in member countries. The Municipality of Aquilonia (AV) commissioned a research project, in order to carry out a Specialized Study meant as a support for the municipal programme for building energetic efficiency and the improvement of power plants by means of renewable resources. In this frame some issues, dealing with the relationship between the general environmental topic and the peculiarities of some land and urban cases – especially minor urban centres – have been emphasized. With respect to the specific features, it has been underlined the risk to award the technological innovation the role of an uncritical acceptance of the use of new technologies, which actually fully satisfy the present demand of energy saving as well as of green energy production, but do not undergo a necessary reflection about the built environment, the land where it lies and their transforming process. On the contrary, it is essential to aim at matching the liveability requirements with the issue of not altering, though indeed enhancing and improving the whole system of urban, architectural, functional and constructive features of peculiar urban centres that arise as heritage and as a resource for green development, especially if seen inside a coherent network.