Sistemi difensivi e architettura militare nell’area del mediterraneo: uso, riuso, disuso, abuso. Defence Heritage and military sites in the Meditarranean Area. Use, re-use, dis-use, ab-use

The Mediterranean area is characterized by a wide variety of military architectures of different chronology, typology and original function. In this time of peace, many military sites are turning to civilian use. This means that entire quarters, sometimes villages, more often big architectural complexes are going to be available for new functions. Italian situation is characterized by the availability of a huge defence architectural heritage, already decommissioned or that is going to be decommissioned in the next years, considerable in terms of cultural values, spatial quality, urban volumes and strategic location. This cultural heritage is at risk, due to incongruous restoration works, incompatible use or abandon. On the contrary, the restoration and the refurbishing of these historical sites could represent a key opportunity for different social need, such as education and housing. The paper illustrates the aims and methodology of a research programme dedicated to the knowledge, monitoring and study for possible reuse of this military sites.