Reclamation of derelict landscapes
1990 Landscape and Environmental reclamation of the Pian Di Gello Quarry
The Municipality of Prato has identified in the former quarry of Pian di Gello one of the first interventions to start the construction of the ANPIL Protected Area of Monteferrato as foreseen in the Provincial Territorial Plan. The reasons for his choice are to be found in the location of the quarry, extremely close to the center of Figline village and the city of Prato as well as the natural emergencies of the Biotope of Monteferrato, in its easy accessibility and reachability from the main axis of penetration into the Protected Area, and finally in its artificial morphological configuration with degrading shelves that allows an easy driveable (parking) and pedestrian usability. Located on the mid-shore of Monte Piccioli (between elevations of 126 m and 222 m. s.l.m., with very variable slopes ranging from 15% to 70%), it is bordered on three sides by three streams, while on the west side it is bounded by the high wall (40 m.) of the front of the quarry.
WHERE
Municipality of Prato, Village of Figline di Prato, Province of Prato, Tuscany Region, Italy
WHEN
1989 Project Delivery and positive permit by the Urban Planning Commission
1990 Delivery of a technical-descriptive report, partial expropriation and graphical elaborations for the application for the building concession
1990 Delivery of the Executive Project and positive permit of the Construction and Superintendence Commission
1990 Approval of the Executive Project with Resolution Municipal Council n.574 of 20 March 1990
WHO
Client/ Municipality of Prato
Designers/ arch. Lorenzo Vallerini Landscape and environmental reclamation project – Partners: arch. Franco Micaelli and dott.geologist Franco Ceccarini
WHAT
Size/ The area covers a surface of square meters. 103.040 and includes the areas which were excavated at the time by serpentine and have not yet been repaired, as well as the existing access road.
Three objectives are achieved in one single intervention:
- Improve the environment as a whole by rebuilding a highly degraded area that is occasionally used for improper uses (landfill, motocross, etc.);
- To exploit existing natural and geological emergencies brought to light by past excavation activities;
- Offer new air open recreational opportunities within the former quarry and alleviate the growing pressure in the area of the Biotope with risks for the ecological balances.
The design has been resolved in four areas:
- one, on the “lower floor”, in which there is a large car park with trees, as a gateway to the quarry and starting point for excursions to Monteferrato;
- another on the “upper floor” characterized by the expansion of the existing vegetation of Pinus pinaster, up to form a forest, the “big meadow” with the ring path and the node of the services of refreshment and information, as well as a “square” belvedere closely linked to the Pergola and the services themselves;
- another, the “focal heart” of the whole area, characterized by the large front of the quarry that on one side reflects a new pond at the base of the wall (also necessary for safety reasons) and that on the east side “naturally” continues with a stepped structure within the existing valley;
- finally, another one, defined by the ” tongue “, or the small quarry, to the west of the great front in which important services or interventions have been provided to maintain the sense of “privacy” and naturalness that already characterized it.
