In April 2024, Cas*Aupa launched a questionnaire as part of the L’architettura conquistata project, with the financial support of Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia. The questionnaire initiated a comparison between the Parco Ardito Desio and two other architectures of the twentieth century in Friuli Venezia Giulia: Rozzol Melara neighbourhood in Trieste and Basaldella paper mill (in Campoformido).
The goal was to collect stories and perceptions of these places, to discover analogies and differences, how they are perceived in the collective imaginary and how they get narrated. The questionnaire was open to everyone and anonymous; it also got responses by people who have never been to these places, or never heard of it, who were facilitated by some images. The divulgation has been done through social media (Facebook and Instagram) and messaging apps, such as Whatsapp.
The questionnaire was filled by a sample of 100 people, 90% of which come from the area nearby Udine. The participants’ age is quite different, with a majority of people between 26 and 35 years old, and just one response by an underage person.
THREE KONQUERED ARKITECTURES
92% of the participants know about the Ardito Desio Park, a surprising 35% for Rozzol Melara in Trieste and a 26% for the Romanello paper mill in Campoformido. This knowledge is mainly due to the residence of the participants, their frequentation of these places and the word of mouth. Slide through the images for spoilers!
HOW IS THE PARCO DI CEMENTO, KK , PARCO ARDITO DESIO PERCEIVED?
The majority of the responses identifies the area as a public park or a space for artistic expression (relatively 84% and 86%).
11% only sees it as a degraded area and other 11% as an abandoned area.
→ click on this link to read the story of Parco Ardito Desio (ITA/EN).
How do you perceive the Parco di Cemento, KK, Parco Ardito Desio? (You can choose
more than one option)
HOW IS THE PAPER MILL PERCEIVED?
The Mill is identified by 48% of the responses as “abandoned area”, and as “industrial archaeology” by almost 38% of respondents.
→ click on this link to read the story of the Romanello paper mill (ITA/EN).
How do you perceive the Paper Mill in Basaldella – Campoformido? (You can choose more than one option)
…AND ROZZOL MELARA?
The majority of the responses (57%) points to the identification of Rozzol Melara as “social housing neighbourhood”. A large part of the participants identifies it as a “prison” (17%) and 23% as a cinematographic set.
→ click on this link to read the story of the Rozzol Melara (ITA/EN).
How do you perceive the Rozzol Melara in Trieste? (You can choose more than one option)
WHAT DO THESE THREE PLACES HAVE IN COMMON ACCORDING TO OUR RESPONDENTS?
According to 78% of the participants, the main connection between these architectures is the prevailing material of which they are made: cement.
The second most common answer (32%) concerns their marginal position.
At the third place, 23%, the respondents point out the creative ways of use of all these places.
THE “PARCO DI CEMENTO”
The real question is: HAS THE PARK GOT JUST ONE NAME?
SPOILER: NOPE!
Half of the participants, of different ages, identify the park with the name “Parco di cemento”, surprisingly followed by “KK” (12% of the respondents), whereas the name “Parco Ardito Desio” gets the fourth place along with “Parco dei Rizzi-Udine” (9% of respondents).
Looking at the answers, we can deduce that the majority of the respondents over 46 (16 people) refer to the park with the name “Parco di cemento”. Same goes for more than half of the participants between 26 and 35 years old (26 people on 49) and for the majority of the respondents between 36 and 45. Whereas, those between 19 and 25 call the park “KK”.
HANGING AT THE PARK (OR NOT?)
Do you not hang out at the park?
You could join the pool of the 23 people who affirmed they do not hang out at the Park.
The most common reason is the fact that the park is not well connected to the rest of the city. Followed by the sensation of feeling like a foreigner or looked down at, which does not make people feel at ease and free to inhabit the park as the others do. And you? What do you think about it?
Do you hang out at the park?
You could add up to those 77 people who affirmed they hang out at the Park, or either did in the past.
Among them, 29 appreciate the presence of the wide green area, and 27 value the presence of cultural events. Finally, if for someone the poor connection with the city center is a disincentive to hang at the park, 23 respondents affirm they go to this area also because of the facilities such as the supermarket, the post office or the water dispenser.
“PARCO DI CEMENTO”: THE ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
86 people over 100 perceive the “Parco di cemento” as a space for artistic expression!
But what does it actually mean? Does it give an identity to the place? If yes, in which way? To get a better understanding of this last point we suggest the reading of a very nice short story we collected among the questionnaire responses.
→ Read the story at this link
Photo by Giulia Fortuna Bulletti
WHAT FUNCTION HAS ART GOT ACCORDING TO THE PUBLIC?
Among those who hang at the park (77):
→ 73 people think art gives artistic value to places
→ 4 people (of different ages) affirm that the artistic expression in the park gives off decay and/or keeps people away from it and/or justifies illegal practices.
Among those who do not hang out at the park (23):
→ 18 people think art gives artistic value to places.
→ 5 people (of different ages) affirm that the artistic expression in the park gives off decay and/or keeps people away from it and/or justifies illegal practices.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?
Write us at vallurbana@casaupa.org or in the box down here to tell us your opinion and confirm or reverse the results!