The former Colonia Costanzo Ciano, today renamed Parco San Laise, is large complex of buildings in the neighbourhood of Bagnoli owned by a foundation depending on Campania Region. Originally a colony for disadvantaged children, the area was used for almost 50 years as militar headquarters of NATO. When the lease ended, the area has been neglected for years, before starting to transition again towards the original vocation of a place for social and cultural use.
Today, the former Colonia Ciano, built in 1938-40 under fascism as a structure for disadvantaged children, is managed again by the Fondazione Campania Welfare, with the mission to employ it for cultural and social inclusion purposes. The structure is in nevertheless in a neglected state, and needs large investments in renewal and seismic consolidation, being in the center of a risk area. It ia also used as an emergency gathering point during the seismic phenomena that interest the area, and for big open air events. Currently, part of the buildings, (more than 14 in total, including offices, theatre, church, warehouses, sort facilities and large green areas) are assigned to schools, sport and cultural associations, and social enterprises. An overall plan for the development of the area with an integrated vision is still missing, as well as a comprehensive management plan and sufficient funding for the full regeneration.
Tesserae with the Oasis project had the opportunity to conduct an urban reconnaissance exercise and participate to the participatory planning of the cultural space funded for three years by the Creative Europe programme. We helped the constellation of small local organisation to develop a common vision and advocate for an integrated management of the different activities. The Oasis project will settle in 5 rooms of the P Building to conduct an international artist residence program with the aim to support a more commonal and community oriented management of the structure.
