Historic urbanscapes for tomorrow, two Italian cases: Genoa and Bologna

After a rather long silence, since early 2000s, heritage has progressively returned to urban agendas, and not just in Europe. This article reflects on the possible updated ‘structural’ function of the historic parts of contemporary cities through the examples provided by two medium-sized Italian cities – Genoa and Bologna – characterized by the presence of an important urban heritage and specific urban policies and plans focused on renewing their possible role. Facing the issues related to the ‘historic urban landscapeʼ, this article argues that innovation in Italy does not reside in the institutional dimension, or in the legislative framework and its possible updating. Rather, it lies in practice. Thus, this paper selects two practical planning experiences – probably the most important ones in the last two decades (together with the last general plan of Rome) – that are particularly significant and relevant for both the concrete effects achieved, and the methods and tools used to pursue the planning targets. The case of Genoa is representative of a strategic and operational approach to urban policies – planning by actions according to a strategic framework – against a mere regulative urban planning. The interest in this case is for the capability of the municipal administration to combine a number of different funding sources, together with special and ordinary planning programs and tools, in an effective regeneration process of the waterfront and the ancient centre. The case of Bologna is significant in reconsidering the famous historic centre planning tradition of such a city in relation to and in comparison with the innovative phase opened up by the municipal structural plan in the 2000s. Bologna’s experience of the 1960-1970s continues to be the best known and mentioned internationally in the scientific literature. However, just considering the last fifteen years of urban plans and policies of this city, it is possible to gain a clear vision of the updated approaches that renewed this tradition, with a remarkable change of perspective in the general meaning and methods of planning action on the ‘inherited cityʼ.