Summary
Highlights
Boeri emphasizes the crucial relationship between the mobility of ideas (e.g., through digital connectivity, as shown during the pandemic) and the mobility of bodies (e.g., high-speed rail). Both are fundamental and influence urban development. Thinking about 'mobile architectures' in a broad sense is seen as anachronistic; instead, the focus should be on how these two forms of mobility coexist and shape the future of cities.
Urban planning and architecture are inherently political acts that shape choices and possibilities. Boeri stresses the need for a strong dialogue between urban planning and politics. He critiques short-term political motivations that can undermine long-term spatial visions. The discussion then shifts to the ethical dimension of urban planning, referencing Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato Si'' and its emphasis on time being more important than space.
The 'Bosco Verticale' (Vertical Forest) is presented as an example of a long-term, visionary project that manifests a possible future for integrating nature into urban living. It's acknowledged as a 'manifesto' that, while imperfect due to specific conditions, has led to further advancements. Boeri highlights ongoing projects in social housing (e.g., in the Netherlands) and popular housing (e.g., in China) that embody the 'Vertical Forest' concept, pushing for structures made entirely of wood to reduce CO2 emissions during construction.
The pandemic, despite its tragic consequences, offered a unique perspective on cities: empty yet vibrantly alive with nature reclaiming spaces. This experience revealed the fragility of human existence and the artificiality of urban constructs. The sight of wild animals in city centers highlighted how humans have taken over natural habitats. This new awareness of fragility and the constant presence of the 'unknown' (as reflected in the title of the 2022 Triennale di Milano) challenges traditional ways of thinking about the present and future of cities, emphasizing the need for an alliance between nature and urban spaces.
Cities have always been closely linked to the mobility of people and goods. The energy transition and electric mobility necessitate urban transformation. Stefano Boeri discusses how the pandemic has accelerated pre-existing trends, pushing cities away from a model centered around a few large attractors (markets, stations, commercial centers, stadiums) towards a more decentralized structure.
Italy's morphology, particularly its Apennine spine dotted with historical and rural villages, offers a unique opportunity for this archipelago city model. Many of these abandoned villages could be repopulated and transformed into small, vibrant cities, offering a decentralized urban life that meets needs for exchange, innovation, and connectivity. This could lead to a rebalancing of Italy's demography. The urgent need to end the fossil fuel era is highlighted, with air pollution causing millions of deaths globally. While electric mobility isn't a complete solution, it significantly addresses air quality.
Boeri proposes the 'archipelago city' model, where cities function as clusters of self-sufficient neighborhoods (or 'borghi'). These neighborhoods would guarantee autonomy for residents and workers, reducing the need for large flows and congestion. Mobility within these areas would be 'soft' (pedestrian, cycling, electric), surrounded by 'green corridors' of biodiversity.
The concept of individual car ownership is evolving, especially among younger generations, towards shared and customized mobility solutions. Milan is cited as an example where sharing models are prevalent. The challenge lies in maintaining a sense of identity and personalization within shared mobility, envisioning vehicles that adapt to individual needs in real-time. This also touches upon mobile architectures and the potential for residential capsules that move through space.