Publicada por Lab. Territorio

Community projects as a driver of the rural space transformation: architectural and housing development in Ostana (Italy)

Continuing with the visits within the framework of the project PAISACTIVO, on Friday, April 5, the team traveled to the northwest area of the Italian Alps, to Ostana, in the valley of the Po River, in front of Mount Monviso at an altitude of between 1,000- 2,000 m. The interest of this experience lies in the high quality architectural renovation process carried out, together with the collective project that seeks better living conditions for the inhabitants, the development of cultural projects, agricultural activities, forest management and the use of renewable energy. This alpine regeneration model was part of the European project Smart Rural 21.

Guided by Laura Cantarella, vice president of the Viso a Viso community cooperative, we saw "in situ" the careful rehabilitation of public and private space, while she explained the process of Ostana's renaissance, the obstacles encountered and future challenges. We visited the collective spaces of the Lou Pourtoun building dedicated to different socio-community and coworking services. Serena Giaudo, founder of the company L'orto di Ostana based on certified organic farming, shared her experience as a newcomer to agriculture. From her, we learned about the problems of smallholdings and fragmentation that farmers face and how the municipality acts as an intermediary in the management of the property.

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to meet Silvia Rovere, mayor of Ostana. Aspects related to municipal financing, basic services and mobility were addressed, as well as the importance of aligning public and private investment for the development of economic activities in environments like this. We concluded the day with an excursion through the upper part of the municipality and a walking route through the Mont-Viso Transboundary Biosphere Reserve, declared in 2014 by UNESCO and belonging to the World Network of Mountain Biosphere Reserves. The Ostana experience is an excellent case of inspiration for the identification and capitalization of good practices in this first phase of PAISACTIVO.

PAISACTIVO is a project co-financed by the Interreg VI Cooperation Program for Spain – Portugal (POCTEP) 2021-2027.