L’AQUILA CITY-LAND: THE POST-EARTHQUAKE RECONSTRUCTION OF SMALL HISTORIC URBAN CENTRE

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake in L'Aquila in April 2009, various new regulations and operational methods were defined to enable reconstruction to begin as quickly as possible. This brought opposing dynamics to bear on the urban and territorial system of L'Aquila and the numerous surrounding small settlements that historically played a part in its original foundation. Currently the most important issue is to rebuild the city and its system of outlying villages, at the same time seeking to identify new functional models and models of habitation. With this in mind the reconstruction plans aim for seismic improvement and improved living conditions by making organic interventions that ensure the overall consolidation, safety, habitability and functionality of these built systems in their entirety, in full respect of their existing historic and contextual values. As part of this integrated approach and in consideration of the complex issues involved, this paper presents the first outcomes of the activities of support provided to the municipality of Sant'Eusanio Forconese to assist in preparing the reconstruction plan for this ancient village, which in terms of its morphology, its building types, and its construction methods is an excellent exemplar for all the settlements that lie within the earthquake crater.