The Analysis of the Urban Open Spaces System for Resilient and Pleasant Historical Districts.

Cities are the places where multiple challenges related to environmental, economic, social, and cultural phenomena are condensed. The increasing physical and systemic sensitivity/vulnerability of cities represents an opportunity to experiment with new models of urban development. Among these models, the scientific community is devoting particular attention to the use and the reuse of public spaces, especially in historical urban areas. What still lacks substance is the identification of which are the most suitable transformations to reorganize the urban spaces system according to its existing characteristics. Indeed, taking into account the intrinsic features of urban spaces means optimizing the benefits as well as cutting the costs associated with the necessary interventions. This study proposes the analysis of the urban open spaces system – squares, green urban areas, gardens, paved areas, etc. – of seven historical districts in the city of Naples, according to their physical, functional, and accessibility characteristics. The aim is to define their structure and prevailing features in order to support decision-makers in the identification of appropriate and efficient adaptation, reorganization, and reuse measures. 13 indicators referred to 3 dimensions (Climate adaptation, Accessibility and equity, Urban quality) were aggregated into 3 composite indexes, through GIS elaborations, with the aim of identifying portions of territory where to primarily intervene, as well as the characteristics to be improved. One of the main pieces of evidence of this study is that the suitability of urban spaces for adaptation measures cannot be separated from aspects like accessibility and pleasantness.