EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS 2010 ITALY: TREASURE OF EUROPE WORKSHOP 1 OCTOBER 2010 LANDSCAPE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY: A CULTURAL CHALLENGE AT ALL LEVELS OF TERRITORIAL STRATEGY CRISTINA LUCCA Superintendency for Cultural Heritage and Landscape, Provinces of Turin, Asti, Cuneo, Biella and Vercelli The situation in Piedmont: actions undertaken by the Piedmont Regional Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Landscape, the Superintendency for Architectural Heritage and Landscape for the Provinces of Torino, Asti, Cuneo, Biella and Vercelli, and the Superintendency for Architectural Heritage and Landscape for the Provinces of Novara, Alessandria, and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, in cooperation with the Region of Piedmont. It is important to first present the process for the Regional Landscape Plan (PPR), now under development with the Region of Piedmont. PIANO PAESAGGISTICO REGIONALE The Law for Cultural Heritage and Landscape (DL 42/2004 and amendments) and its derivative national regulations, particularly Articles 143-145, provide detailed guidance on the contents and procedures to be adopted in developing and approving the PPR. Following an understanding as stipulated under Article 143, Clause 2, the Piedmont Regional Directorate for Landscape Heritage, with the support of the Directorate General for Landscape, Fine Arts, Architecture and Contemporary Art and the three superintendencies involved - Superintendency for Architectural Heritage and Landscape for the Provinces of Torino, Asti, Cuneo, Biella and Vercelli; Superintendency for Architectural Heritage and Landscape for the Provinces of Novara, Alessandria, and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Piedmont and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities have all participated in drafting the Regional Landscape Plan. 1
The agreement between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and the Region of Piedmont is stated in the Memorandum of Understanding of 01/04/2008 with subsequent Provisions for Implementation (11/07/2008) and amendments (27/04/2010). The aim of the most concerted actions has been to articulate the Techingnical Norms for Implementation of the Plan, and define the criteria for documenting, delimiting and mapping the structures and areas declared of significant public interest under Articles 136 and 137, DL 42/2004, with amendments. Effective of the date of the adoption of the Regional Landscape Plan under regional law (DGR 53-11975, 04/08/2009), the objectives for landscape preservation are held as partially achieved, through the protection concerning landscape heritage as offered by the plan s provisions. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and the Region of Piedmont are now continuing the process of joint planning, to define those parts still to be completed prior to definitive approval. The Region of Piedmont has also enacted a law (LR 14, 06/06/2008) that complements implementation of the European Landscape Convention, by introducing financing for actions in support of landscape and providing incentive for quality in projects through a prize for landscape excellence. Landscape, Verbania, Lago Maggiore Agricultural landscape, Cuneo plains Since 2005, the ministry, with the Region of Piedmont and the relevant provinces (Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo) has supported and led a project to obtain UNESCO listing for the Characteristic wine-growing landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe, Roero and Monferrato. This has involved preparation of a nomination file, now nearing completion, and development of understandings with the municipal administrations of the core zone. Following an awareness-raising programme on landscape conservation themes with the local population, there has been interesting work with the municipal administrations to develop specific variations in their official regulatory plans in order to include the directions established under the UNESCO candidature, and to introduce guidelines in municipal building regulations that will improve the architectural quality of restoration and construction projects. These very specific guidelines were discussed at the Technical Committee and, following regional law DGR 87-13582 (16/03/2010), with the intervention of the provinces concerned, have now been the object of local meetings. 2
Landscape, the Langhe Vinyards and alteni (Historic Archives of Savigliano- Cuneo) In 2005, in keeping with the UNESCO nomination mentioned above, the Province of Asti introduced a Call for submissions for the promotion of quality projects in landscape planning for Asti and Monferrato. The third edition is being held in 2010. Grazzano Badoglio (Asti), winning project 2010 Sanctuary of Oropa (Belluno) On November 26, 2008, the Piedmont Regional Directorate for Landscape Heritage signed an agreement (26/11/2008) for the Biella Landscape Project (PPB, in cooperation with the then Superintendency for Architectural and Landscape Heritage of Piedmont,). Drafting of this agreement followed on the adhesion of the Town of Biella and Province of Biella to the European Network of Local and Regional Authorities for the Implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ENELC), and was the fruit of profound reflection on landscape quality as element of cultural and territorial identity. In recent months, the presentation of projects for solar power parks in the Province of Asti has given rise to the spontaneous formation of committees by the municipal authorities affected, with a request for implementation of procedures for declaring significant public 3
interest, with a copy forwarded to ENELC European headquarters. There are a total of three proposals concerning landscapes of San Marzanatto (Town of Asti), Isola Villa (Town of Isola d Asti) and Schierano (Town of Passerano Marmorito). The requests were presented at public meetings intended to ensure wide participation in the initiative. It should also be noted that there are numerous initiatives concerning the Piedmont sites already on the World Heritage List (the Sacri Monti and Savoy Residences), involving a wide range of territorial authorities. Turin, Villa della Regina (UNESCO site: Residences of the Royal House of Savoy) The Corona Verde project is a further example of development and consolidation of policies for territorial restoration, protection and landscape enhancement, and for environmental sustainability in the Turin urban area. Again, a memorandum of understanding and related regulations will be signed by the Piedmont Regional Directorate for Landscape Heritage, as well as by the region, the Province of Turin, and numerous municipal governments that are involved. 4
Turin, view from Collina Torinese 5