“A quantum change” – Holcim Awards Jury
This project focuses on land use, human health and nature. The basic philosophy consists of recovering and revitalizing large areas on the Italian coast already deteriorated and contaminated through human activities instead of claiming new territories to satisfy future needs. The project encompasses three dimensions: firstly, the elimination of threats to human life and nature caused by chemical agents, dust and metals in the ground, air and water including the re-conversion of illegal companies into legal and clean firms; secondly, generating increased levels of employment by implementing programs for land reclamation and the settlement of new research labs and industries in the fields of biotechnologies, phytodepuration and renewable energy production; and finally, through establishing a sustainable cultural and tourism infrastructure.
Last updated: June 26, 2008 Zurich, Switzerland
This comprehensive revitalization program benefits from strong political and financial support by the national and regional governments. It is a unique example of how to re-establish a sustainable development on a large scale by healing the wounds to humanity and nature caused by short-term thinking, political incorrectness and uncontrolled private activities. It is a quantum change, socially driven, privately initiated, and highly transferable.