International models or local embedment in waterfront redevelopment. Castellammare di Stabia case.

Abstract

Waterfront development is spreading all over the world due to the deindustrialization and changes in sheep transportation technologies. Information circulation joined to marketing had established an international model tempting followers to imitate a ready-made success solution.
Reacting to this trend, in the Castellammare di Stabia case, a research group I coordinated, pursued the aim to escape prejudices and find proposals of change in the local situation.
To reach this objective the following tracks are developed: 1) urban history, to understand how the present city is the product of the efforts of a community during a long period of time; 2) crisis causes, and policies implemented to face problems; 3) an analysis of strength and weakness in the local environment in a process of strategic planning.
In the first part of the paper the main events determining the spatial organization of the site are highlighted, identifying a territorial structure, in contrast with a process of change. The second part discusses the effectiveness of a policy based on isolated project, advocating the need of a comprehensive strategic plan. Its vision has a framework in good practice, but has to be locally grounded. The Castellammare planning exercise may contribute to the definition of a methodology aimed to the recover and development of the local identity.