The Grammar of Public Space. Reclamation, Functional Restoration, Redesign and Urban Reorganisation of Lorenzo Berzieri Square in Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma)

The deep changes overwhelming the city go along with the infrastructure evolution and developments dictated by social habits and customs as to the use of urban spaces. The relation among built environment-vehicle-pedestrian asks for new architectural thinking: new ways of interpreting the relational space and, consequently, new interventions. Stimulating the practice of architectural project as a unique chance to turn “urban discards” into a true resource for the city and the territory. The need of creating a sense of place and local identity in the processes of urban morphogenesis and reclaiming of urban settlements prompts the contemporary designer to constantly re-invent both the role and the contents of the square, mainly levering on the vocation of the square as a place for social aggregation and connection of road flows.