Previous state
The challenges posed by an ageing society is particularly acute in the peripheral regions of Switzerland and Europe. Coupled with a decline in population as locals migrate to urban centres, these remote areas face obstacles that may redefine their future role in the country as a whole.
The local government in Monte, a village with 102 inhabitants in the municipality of Castel San Pietro (Muggio Valley), decided to follow the recommendations of a study conducted across several peripheral regions of Ticino. The study investigated the everyday needs and challenges faced by the elderly population, and, as a result, offered a series of recommendations to implement social, digital and architectural projects aimed at improving this community’s quality of life.
Aim of the intervention
The project aimed to strengthen the village's social fabric and provide infrastructure that supports the elderly population. To enhance the residents' quality of life, the project focused primarily on offering a more inclusive redesign of the village's public spaces. With no established guidelines in place, thorough research was conducted on the village's environmental, social, and historical context. Numerous interviews were conducted with residents, key stakeholders and local experts, gathering valuable insights into how these public spaces are used today, and how they have been used in the past.
Based on this research, seven areas of interest were identified, each presenting the potential for minimal yet impactful architectural interventions, designed to reinforce the spaces’ historical significance, improve accessibility and encourage social interaction.
Description
The redevelopment was brought to life along a pathway that links various functions catering the needs of the local older population, other residents and tourists, integrating the urban, landscape, economic, and social aspects of Monte's public spaces. Each modification along the pathway is drawn from the historical, social or physical potential identified during the research phase, and ensures minimal architectural disruption.
In the church square, a bench demolished in the 1990s was redesigned alongside a fountain and a new water feature. Part of the paving in the main square was replaced, giving it a new lease of life. The village shop’s interior was reorganised to provide a space for social gatherings, and a small outdoor patio was introduced to allow shoppers to collect bread when the shop is closed. The fountain, which was previously the only access point to water, was fully restored and modified with a small wall that separates it from the adjacent car park. The cemetery’s importance as a public space also inspired the redevelopment of the entrance, which was made more accessible to older individuals, and the addition of a fountain for watering flowers placed on the graves. The old wash house was transformed into a space for recreation and leisure, while the former municipal house’ terrace now hosts communal dinners. New railings now guide visitors through the village, creating the opportunity to add interactive elements and transforming Monte into an area for play and social connection.
Assessment
Monte has become a model for investigating innovative solutions that promote a positive relationship between the well-being of older residents and their environment. Each aspect of the redevelopment is grounded in the memories, needs, ambitions and hopes of a community actively involved in the planning of this transformative project. The interactions between the design team and the inhabitants fostered inclusivity, acceptance and a strong sense of ownership over measures that integrate seamlessly into the village's daily goings on. Thanks to careful observation of the site's physical and social dimensions, the project has respected Monte's beauty and harmony through minimal yet impactful changes.
The project demonstrates that small but significant changes to public spaces can imbue them with a new meaning and enhance community life.
[Last update: 06/11/2024]
