Urban stone
Regeneration, identity and public space in the Piazza Montanelli project in Fucecchio
Abstract
This article analyses the redevelopment project for Piazza Montanelli in Fucecchio as a case study of contemporary urban regeneration based on the integration of material, perception and public space. Through a critical examination of the project, the paper explores the role of stone as a design element capable of fostering urban identity, spatial continuity and a multisensory experience. The continuous stone surface, conceived as an ‘urban carpet’, redefines the perception of the square through its interaction with light, water and vegetation, transforming a previously anonymous space into a relational and recognisable environment. The article also explores the relationship among materiality, infrastructure, and the social dimension, highlighting how contemporary public space design can foster a sense of permanence, inclusion, and collective belonging. Through theoretical references to public space design, landscape urbanism and the perceptual dimension of architecture, this paper interprets Piazza Montanelli as a model of urban transformation capable of combining historical continuity, environmental sustainability and the experiential quality of contemporary public space.
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