Title: Innovative technologies for ancient cities: knowledge-based transition towards prosperity

Authors: Serena Viola

Addresses: Department of Architecture, University of Naples, Federico II, Via Tarsia 31, 80135 Naples, Italy

Abstract: This paper discusses the way knowledge and innovation can support the performances' implementation in ancient cities. Assumption underlying the approach is that the construction sector, unlike others, is sensitive to evolutionary innovations rather than radical ones. The future of ancient cities, is inevitably linked with the ability to reinvent new behaviours for spaces and devices, with the design of transition technologies, able to fit within a built system, previously characterised by high degrees of rigidity. To support the theoretical analysis, the historic centre of Salerno has been assumed as a privileged case study. The paper shows how textures, monumental complexes and isolated buildings in the real estate market, can become new dynamos of development, enabling EU countries to maintain a strong position in the global economy.

Keywords: building technologies; innovation; ancient cities; collective spaces; knowledge-based transition; integration design; prosperity; Italy; texture; monumental complexes; isolated buildings; real estate market; urban development; European Union; EU countries; historic cities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJKBD.2014.063975

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, 2014 Vol.5 No.2, pp.120 - 130

Received: 27 Nov 2012
Accepted: 21 Jun 2013
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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