Restoration of the public spaces in Carbonia – Italy

Between 1938 and 1942, period characterized in Italy by the “autarchy” and by the entry in WWII, the fascist regime founded in Sardinia an interesting complex of city and villages; Carbonia and Bacu Abis were founded to service the coal mines that were opened to provide for the lack of energy resources. Carbonia was built in 1938-40, planned by architects Pulitzer-Finali, Valle and Guidi to host 12.000 inhabitants. Bacu Abis was built and planned according to three consecutive extension plans, realized between 1938 and 1942. Since 2002, the Department of Architecture of the University of Cagliari and the City Administration of Carbonia have begun a vast operation of restoration of these new towns. The restoration of the main squares of both cities, that were significantly altered during the former years, played an important role in developing the sense of identification of the inhabitants to their own cities.