Techne. Interdisciplinary Examination for an Integrated Vision. Case Study: the Adriatic City - Urban Landscapes: Environmental Networks and Quality of Life - page 100

8.4.6 Slow Paths and Urban Networks

Roberta Caprodossi and Paolo Santarelli

In the reticular city (or “territories network”), each pole can be defined as
an intersection and exchange point within multiple flux networks joined by
“infrastructure connection facets” that guarantee links for merchandise,
people, information, and so on, in continual and reciprocal interchanges
between the local and global dimensions [1].
Next to the settlement, productive and infrastructure networks, as well
as digital and technological ones, environmental networks (including his-
torical, cultural, and ecological connections) are imposed when character-
izing and structuring the contemporary city, for reasons of environmental
sustainability, landscape quality, the control of free land consumption, and
to mitigate fragmentation.
Within this connective fabric, “ slow paths ” are found, a tight embed-
ding of weak tracks that line the structure of the territory. These constitute
a combination of short-lived boundaries of different types ( historical/cul-
tural itineraries , pilgrimage routes , forest/field paths, greenways, and so
on) that cross heterogeneous geographical areas and relate to the specifics
of local landscapes on different scales.
For at least a decade in many cities, considerable nonmotorized mobil-
ity projects have been initiated to increase the quality of life and the qual-
ity of the environment [2]. Today, these experiences are evolving toward
planning solutions that are more integrated with the design of the urban
space. The lengthy time needed provides an occasion to articulate projects
for public spaces that are capable of introducing new natural aspects,
socializing spaces, and connections between zones designated for different
uses within the city [3].
The design of networks still responds to sectoral requests and has not
formulated organic solutions for the territory. There is, therefore, strong
selection between highly specialized zones, protected areas, and residual
spaces, with all of their related environmental and social imbalances.
“ Fast ” and “ slow ” are both essential conditions for the quality of the
urban space , but functional proximity to different speeds is often translat-
ed into unsuitable, nonintegrated solutions. The complex system of rela-
tional networks—the “varied store of urban materials”—calls for a rethink-
ing of the forms and uses of the city within a systemic framework to answer
questions linked not only to climate change and diffuse accessibility, but
also to those of habitability and inclusivity [4].
This represents fertile terrain for the transformation of the city—toward
multifunctionality—to ensure the vitality of multidimensional relation-
ships that will guarantee: the complexity of landscapes [5]; the develop-
ment of technology on a human scale for new models of human/environ-
ment interactions; the realization of an urban interaction infrastructure