Ravenna 2019, candidate city for European Capital of Culture: La Darsena che vorrei

Ravenna is running for the European Capital of Culture 2019 title (www.ravenna2019.eu). One of the main assets of the Ravenna 2019 bid is the participatory process concerning the urban regeneration of the old harbour area. The conversion and urban renewal of the Darsena (the old harbour area) started in September 2011 with the launch of the participatory process ‘La Darsena che vorrei’. The urban development and planning process (walking around the neighbourhood, focus groups, meetings and open space technology…) has involved many citizens, technicians, stakeholders, etc. The key themes of the project are: culture and tourism, environment and sustainable development, innovation and creative industries. The main goals are: reactivation of the harbour area as part of a smart and creative quarter and a venue for water sports, public events and promenading; reconversion and temporary re-use of abandoned spaces and buildings that become resources for the city and experimentation field of innovative and creative practices of urban projects; link between harbour and the city (now separated by the train station) by a bridge, bringing the city back to the water; transformation of the harbour dock into new spaces for both tourism and cultural purposes. They will host shops, bars, restaurants, but also cultural initiatives, exhibitions, performances and installation art according to the Ravenna’s bid for European Capital of Culture.