Flexible and adaptable places: a case of redevelopment plan based on long-term sustainability

An urban project is carried out in the medium-long term, and it is necessary for its sustainability and the reduction of risks to foresee that use, times and design are flexible. Accordingly, also adaptation has to be considered fundamental in urban planning, as the uncertain and the sudden should become components of the design process with the same weight as the others, and consequently urban planning tools should be renewed or modified in order to contribute to the management of any crisis in an appropriate way. Starting from these premises, aims of this study - carried out in the framework of the research project "PRIN2020 SUMMA #20209F3A37" within the ISMed-CNR Unit with the author’s responsibility and the Sapienza University of Rome and ISMed-CNR related agreement - are to identify emblematic case studies of urban regeneration with respect to the concepts of flexibility, liveability and adaptation. The emblematic case study that will be illustrated in the paper concerns the Quayside new area of regeneration in Newcastle-Gateshead, which will be completed in 2025. It will be showed with attention to the general plan, the Quayside details, and the public space aspects related to liveability, adaptability, flexibility, accessibility and sustainability.