Strategie per la salvaguardia e il riuso sostenibile dell'edilizia rurale. Strategies for the protection and sustainable conversion of rural buildings

Through the Regional Law no.16/2002, the Emilia-Romagna region promoted the restoration and renovation of its building and environmental heritage, the improvement of its architectural quality and the enhancement of the local landscape. Within the building heritage of the “Great Plain”, the rural settlements - often isolated due to their functional origins as extensive agricultural systems (hence their description as “scattered houses”) - are those which run the greatest risk of being left unprotected and having their value or context spoiled because they are often unknown or situated off the beaten track of tourism and culture. The two main features of this unique rural building heritage are the substantial uniformity of the typological models (repeated with differences and stylistic variations on templates rigorously faithful to the local traditions of politically and geographically similar areas) and building techniques typical of the pervading spirit of the area, based on the use of materials (particularly timber and brick) which are easily obtainable locally. The unique nature of this building heritage is also due to the systematic application of planning and building models which make full use of the climatic characteristics of the places through a single set of rules - unwritten but highly efficient - on orientation, the layout of internal spaces and natural bio-climatic control of the buildings depending on the specific use for which they are intended.