SOxCO: Integrating solar in a community

Politecnico di Milano, Polytechnic University of Milan, School of Design

Project idea

Re-purposing Abandoned Military areas into Community Solar Parks: Fostering Environmental Stewardship, Community Integration, and Resilient Urban Spaces in Metropolitan Cities.
The primary focus of this thesis is to decentralize energy production by creating a ‘zero-mile local energy smart grid.’ The core objective of the project is to create a harmonious alliance between energy systems and the diverse environments of abandoned areas (in this case ‘Ex Military Area’) by opening its edges and inviting the city to become an active and integrated participant in the sustainable endeavor.

Project description

The outcome encompasses a community solar park inviting users for a unique experience, revitalized military barracks transformed into a thriving hub igniting economic growth, and former illicit orchards reshaped into solar-powered community gardens.

By forging an alliance between the natural environment and architectural technology, the park not only cultivates resilience, social integration, and sustainability but also serves as an example for being used as an educational platform, empowering and involving the community in the adoption of sustainable practices.

Technical information

The methodology employed in this study starts with a comprehensive multi-criteria analysis conducted at various scales. It begins with a macro-scale analysis of Italy to determine the most suitable region for implementing community solar parks. Through this analysis, the region of Lombardia emerges as a favorable region, characterized by solar potential and urban context. Building upon this analysis, a meso-scale evaluation is conducted by implementing an elimination strategy to select the most suitable site, In this case, Milan. The micro-scale analysis assesses the relationship between the chosen site and the city of Milan. This assessment considers factors such as land use, urban connectivity, open green spaces, energy systems, and the existing urban morphology.

By combining insights from literature reviews and the analysis of abandoned military areas, a visionary master plan is proposed. The master plan comprises 3 integral areas: A community solar park that not only generates clean energy but also reflects the unique identity and aspirations of the city needs. The Piazza D’armi is revitalized abandoned military remnants and ruins, approached as an opportunity to create a memorial, acting as a multifunctional landscape capable of hosting various social affairs. Moreover, former illicit orchards are transformed into community gardens, featuring urban pods with solar roofs that generate renewable energy while providing spaces for urban recreational activities.

The seamless integration of solar energy infrastructure within the existing urban landscape fosters a renewed sense of community ownership and pride. These revitalized spaces serve as vibrant public areas, where social interaction, recreation, and community engagement thrive. The interdependent nature of these areas with a range of different activities continuously shapes and reshapes the perception of these transformed spaces.

Documentation

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