---
slug: polymnia-futura
title: Polymnia Futura — Sustainable urban regeneration in Polignano a Mare
hero_subtitle: "An urban regeneration proposal for Polignano a Mare that combines sustainable mobility, public spaces and new residential neighborhoods: Special Mention at the Europan 18 European competition."
year: "2025"
location: Polignano a Mare, Apulia
typology: Urban regeneration
vertical_primary: Sustainable Design
vertical_primary_slug: sustainable-design
badge_raw: 2025 · Polignano a Mare, Apulia · Urban regeneration · Sustainable design · Public & Commercial Architecture
scheda:
  Location: Polignano a Mare, Apulia, Italy
  Year: "2025"
  Client: Europan 18 (European architecture and urban planning competition)
  Typology: Urban regeneration, masterplan, sustainable mobility
  Area: "[to be completed — urban scale]"
  Status: Concept — Europan special mention, 18
  Designers: Barberio Colella Architects (Maurizio Barberio, Micaela Colella), Angelo Figliola, Khaled Jamal
  Awards: Europan special mention, Europan 18
images:
  - filename: polymnia-futura-masterplan.jpg
    alt: Polignano a Mare Urban Regeneration Masterplan
    caption: The masterplan links the station, Distretto Marconi, Via Lepore and the new urban park within an integrated system of transport and public spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-strategic-vision-diagram.jpg
    alt: Polignano Strategic Vision Diagram
    caption: "The strategic vision sets out the measures across three areas: urban mobility, neighbourhood public spaces and sustainable residential densification."
  - filename: polymnia-futura-mobility-analysis.jpg
    alt: Analysis of current transport patterns in Polignano a Mare
    caption: The analysis of transport patterns highlights the reliance on cars and the divide between the historic centre and the neighbourhoods on the other side of the railway line.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-sustainable-mobility.jpg
    alt: Polignano Sustainable Mobility Plan
    caption: The sustainable mobility system integrates public transport, cycling and pedestrian paths, linking the mobility hubs to the station.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-mobility-hubs-ecosystem.jpg
    alt: Polignano Mobility Hubs Ecosystem
    caption: Mobility hubs combine intermodal transport links, proximity services and public spaces within vibrant urban hubs along the main route.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-marconi-district.jpg
    alt: New Distretto Marconi
    caption: The Distretto Marconi is being transformed into a low-density residential neighborhood with high energy standards and integrated public green spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-1.jpg
    alt: Renderings of public spaces in the Marconi district
    caption: The new Marconi district features a mix of low-density housing and tree-lined public spaces, designed to fit in with the existing urban fabric.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-3.jpg
    alt: A pedestrian's view of the Distretto Marconi
    caption: The pedestrian paths the Distretto Marconi link the residential areas to the urban park and the cycle network leading to the historic centre.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-2.jpg
    alt: Architectural detail of the Marconi residences
    caption: The homes in the Distretto Marconi reflect the Apulian typology, featuring compact forms, light-coloured surfaces and solar shading devices.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-mobility-hub-via-lepore.jpg
    alt: New mobility hub on Via Lepore, Polignano
    caption: The mobility hub on Via Lepore is set to become a transport interchange for cars, bicycles and public transport, with integrated proximity services.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-1.jpg
    alt: "Render via Lepore: sustainable mobility corridor"
    caption: Via Lepore is being transformed from a through road into an urban boulevard featuring a dedicated cycle lane, trees and wider pavements.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-2.jpg
    alt: "Road section: Via Lepore, Polignano"
    caption: The section of Via Lepore has been redesigned to prioritise soft mobility and environmental quality in the public space.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-urban-park-villa-pinocchio.jpg
    alt: New Villa Pinocchio Urban Park
    caption: Villa Pinocchio’s urban park serves as the green heart of the scheme, linking the Distretto Marconi to the network of public spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-1.jpg
    alt: Render of an urban park with pedestrian paths
    caption: The park combines pedestrian paths, rest areas and Mediterranean vegetation in an open space that is accessible to all neighbourhoods.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-2.jpg
    alt: Social areas in the new Polignano park
    caption: The social spaces in the park are designed for different age groups, fostering urban life beyond seasonal tourism.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-3.jpg
    alt: Mediterranean vegetation providing shade in the park
    caption: The Mediterranean vegetation and the shade-providing structures create a pleasant microclimate even during the hottest summer months.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-outdoor-leisure-area.jpg
    alt: Leisure area at Polignano station, Viale Trieste
    caption: The station opens out onto Viale Trieste with an outdoor leisure area that transforms a non-place into a vibrant urban space.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-1.jpg
    alt: Render of the redeveloped Polignano station area
    caption: The redevelopment of the station area creates a welcoming entrance to the city for those arriving by train, with high-quality facilities and waiting areas.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-2.jpg
    alt: New station square in Polignano centre
    caption: The new station square connects the mobility hub to the pedestrian path leading to the historic centre of Polignano a Mare.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-4.jpg
    alt: Polymnia Futura rooftop terrace with arches overlooking the old town at sunset
    caption: "The rooftop terrace on the top level: a sequence of arches frames the view of the old town, the bell tower and the line of the sea. Timber lounge seating and potted olive trees form an outdoor living room in dialogue with the Mediterranean landscape."
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-3.jpg
    alt: Polymnia Futura main facade with two-storey arches, reflecting pool and Mediterranean garden
    caption: "The main facade of the building: a double sequence of arches across two levels is mirrored in the reflecting pool at its base. The Mediterranean garden of lavender, olive trees and rosemary in the foreground introduces the entrance, while the ground floor accommodates the café and integrated commercial spaces."
faq_count: 7
related_slugs:
  - bamboo-office
  - unboxed
  - scuola-papa-giovanni-xxiii-trani
cta:
  title: Is your town or local authority considering an urban regeneration project?
  body: Polymnia Futura demonstrates that the quality of the project is the decisive factor in urban regeneration, not just the availability of funds. If your local authority or organisation is working on an urban regeneration plan — with or without PNRR funding — we can discuss the most suitable project strategy for your context.
  button: Let’s talk about your project
  microcopy: "[Let’s talk about your project]"
gallery_renders:
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-1.jpg
    alt: Renderings of public spaces in the Marconi district
    caption: The new Marconi district features a mix of low-density housing and tree-lined public spaces, designed to fit in with the existing urban fabric.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-2.jpg
    alt: Architectural detail of the Marconi residences
    caption: The homes in the Distretto Marconi reflect the Apulian typology, featuring compact forms, light-coloured surfaces and solar shading devices.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-marconi-3.jpg
    alt: A pedestrian's view of the Distretto Marconi
    caption: The pedestrian paths the Distretto Marconi link the residential areas to the urban park and the cycle network leading to the historic centre.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-1.jpg
    alt: "Render via Lepore: sustainable mobility corridor"
    caption: Via Lepore is being transformed from a through road into an urban boulevard featuring a dedicated cycle lane, trees and wider pavements.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-2.jpg
    alt: "Road section: Via Lepore, Polignano"
    caption: The section of Via Lepore has been redesigned to prioritise soft mobility and environmental quality in the public space.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-1.jpg
    alt: Render of an urban park with pedestrian paths
    caption: The park combines pedestrian paths, rest areas and Mediterranean vegetation in an open space that is accessible to all neighbourhoods.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-2.jpg
    alt: Social areas in the new Polignano park
    caption: The social spaces in the park are designed for different age groups, fostering urban life beyond seasonal tourism.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-park-3.jpg
    alt: Mediterranean vegetation providing shade in the park
    caption: The Mediterranean vegetation and the shade-providing structures create a pleasant microclimate even during the hottest summer months.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-1.jpg
    alt: Render of the redeveloped Polignano station area
    caption: The redevelopment of the station area creates a welcoming entrance to the city for those arriving by train, with high-quality facilities and waiting areas.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-2.jpg
    alt: New station square in Polignano centre
    caption: The new station square connects the mobility hub to the pedestrian path leading to the historic centre of Polignano a Mare.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-4.jpg
    alt: Polymnia Futura rooftop terrace with arches overlooking the old town at sunset
    caption: "The rooftop terrace on the top level: a sequence of arches frames the view of the old town, the bell tower and the line of the sea. Timber lounge seating and potted olive trees form an outdoor living room in dialogue with the Mediterranean landscape."
  - filename: polymnia-futura-lepore-3.jpg
    alt: Polymnia Futura main facade with two-storey arches, reflecting pool and Mediterranean garden
    caption: "The main facade of the building: a double sequence of arches across two levels is mirrored in the reflecting pool at its base. The Mediterranean garden of lavender, olive trees and rosemary in the foreground introduces the entrance, while the ground floor accommodates the café and integrated commercial spaces."
gallery_drawings:
  - filename: polymnia-futura-masterplan.jpg
    alt: Polignano a Mare Urban Regeneration Masterplan
    caption: The masterplan links the station, Distretto Marconi, Via Lepore and the new urban park within an integrated system of transport and public spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-strategic-vision-diagram.jpg
    alt: Polignano Strategic Vision Diagram
    caption: "The strategic vision sets out the measures across three areas: urban mobility, neighbourhood public spaces and sustainable residential densification."
  - filename: polymnia-futura-mobility-analysis.jpg
    alt: Analysis of current transport patterns in Polignano a Mare
    caption: The analysis of transport patterns highlights the reliance on cars and the divide between the historic centre and the neighbourhoods on the other side of the railway line.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-sustainable-mobility.jpg
    alt: Polignano Sustainable Mobility Plan
    caption: The sustainable mobility system integrates public transport, cycling and pedestrian paths, linking the mobility hubs to the station.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-mobility-hubs-ecosystem.jpg
    alt: Polignano Mobility Hubs Ecosystem
    caption: Mobility hubs combine intermodal transport links, proximity services and public spaces within vibrant urban hubs along the main route.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-marconi-district.jpg
    alt: New Distretto Marconi
    caption: The Distretto Marconi is being transformed into a low-density residential neighborhood with high energy standards and integrated public green spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-mobility-hub-via-lepore.jpg
    alt: New mobility hub on Via Lepore, Polignano
    caption: The mobility hub on Via Lepore is set to become a transport interchange for cars, bicycles and public transport, with integrated proximity services.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-new-urban-park-villa-pinocchio.jpg
    alt: New Villa Pinocchio Urban Park
    caption: Villa Pinocchio’s urban park serves as the green heart of the scheme, linking the Distretto Marconi to the network of public spaces.
  - filename: polymnia-futura-station-outdoor-leisure-area.jpg
    alt: Leisure area at Polignano station, Viale Trieste
    caption: The station opens out onto Viale Trieste with an outdoor leisure area that transforms a non-place into a vibrant urban space.
---
# Polymnia Futura — Sustainable urban regeneration in Polignano a Mare

_An urban regeneration proposal for Polignano a Mare that integrates sustainable mobility, public spaces and new residential neighborhoods: Special Mention at the Europan 18 European competition._

**2025 · Polignano a Mare, Puglia · Urban regeneration · Sustainable Design · Public & Commercial Architecture**

---

## A city regenerating from its connective tissue

Polignano a Mare is one of the most iconic towns on the Apulian Adriatic coast: a spectacular historic centre overlooking the cliffs, a steadily growing tourism economy, and increasing pressure on urban infrastructure. Like many medium-sized towns in Southern Italy, Polignano faces a structural contradiction: the historic centre attracts visitors and investment, but the neighbourhoods beyond the railway line — the areas along Via Lepore, the Distretto Marconi, and the areas around the station — remain cut off from urban life, with fragmented public spaces, car-dependent mobility, and a built environment that fails to engage with the surrounding landscape.

Polymnia Futura, Barberio Colella Architetti’s proposal for the Europan 18 competition, addresses this divide with a systemic vision. The project does not focus on a single building or a single plot, but on a system of relationships: mobility, public green spaces, residential densification and connections between neighbourhoods. The strategy revolves around the concept of ‘mobility hubs’ — interchange nodes combining public transport, soft mobility, proximity services and social spaces — distributed along an axis linking the railway station to the historic centre and the new Villa Pinocchio urban park.

The masterplan envisages the transformation of the Distretto Marconi into a low-density residential neighborhood with high energy standards, integrated with a new urban park and connected to the cycle and pedestrian network. Via Lepore becomes an axis of sustainable mobility with a new intermodal hub. The railway station opens up to the landscape with an outdoor leisure area along Viale Trieste. Each intervention is tailored to the scale and character of the existing town: rather than imposing an alien urban model, it reactivates the potential of places already present within Polignano’s fabric.

The proposal received a special mention at the Europan 18 competition, an accolade recognising the quality of the strategic vision and the coherence between contextual analysis and design solution. The team, comprising Barberio Colella Architetti with Angelo Figliola and Khaled Jamal, brought complementary expertise in architectural design, urban planning and mobility analysis. Polymnia Futura demonstrates that urban regeneration in Southern Italy is not merely a question of funding, but of project quality: the ability to interpret a territory, identify the right levers and propose a concrete alternative to growth through expansion.

---

## Image gallery

![Polignano a Mare urban regeneration masterplan](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-masterplan.jpg)
*The masterplan connects the station, the Distretto Marconi, Via Lepore and the new urban park within an integrated system of mobility and public spaces.*

![Polignano strategic vision diagram](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-strategic-vision-diagram.jpg)
*The strategic vision structures the interventions across three scales: urban mobility, neighbourhood public spaces and sustainable urban regeneration of residential neighborhoods.*

![Analysis of existing mobility in Polignano a Mare](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-mobility-analysis.jpg)
*The mobility analysis highlights car dependency and the divide between the historic centre and the neighbourhoods beyond the railway line.*

![Polignano sustainable mobility scheme](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-sustainable-mobility.jpg)
*The sustainable mobility system integrates public transport, cycling and pedestrian paths, connecting the mobility hubs to the station.*

![Polignano mobility hubs ecosystem](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-mobility-hubs-ecosystem.jpg)
*The mobility hubs combine modal interchange, proximity services and public spaces in active urban nodes along the main axis.*

![New Distretto Marconi](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-new-marconi-district.jpg)
*The Distretto Marconi is being transformed into a low-density residential neighborhood with high energy standards and integration with public green spaces.*

![Render of Marconi neighbourhood public spaces](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-marconi-1.jpg)
*The new Marconi neighbourhood alternates between low-density residences and tree-lined public spaces, scaled to fit the existing urban fabric.*

![Pedestrian perspective of the Distretto Marconi](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-marconi-3.jpg)
*The pedestrian paths the Distretto Marconi connect the residences to the urban park and the cycle network leading to the historic centre.*

![Architectural detail of Marconi residences](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-marconi-2.jpg)
*The residences in the Distretto Marconi interpret the Apulian typology with compact volumes, light-coloured surfaces and solar shading devices.*

![New mobility hub on Via Lepore, Polignano](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-new-mobility-hub-via-lepore.jpg)
*The mobility hub on Via Lepore becomes an interchange hub for cars, bikes and public transport, with integrated proximity services.*

![Render of Via Lepore sustainable mobility axis](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-lepore-1.jpg)
*Via Lepore is transformed from a vehicular thoroughfare into an urban boulevard with a protected cycle lane, trees and widened pavements.*

![Road section of Via Lepore, Polignano](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-lepore-2.jpg)
*The road section of Via Lepore redistributes public space in favour of soft mobility and environmental quality.*

![New Villa Pinocchio urban park](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-new-urban-park-villa-pinocchio.jpg)
*The Villa Pinocchio urban park becomes the green heart of the system, connecting the Distretto Marconi to the network of public spaces.*

![Urban park rendering: pedestrian paths](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-park-1.jpg)
*The park integrates pedestrian paths, rest areas and Mediterranean vegetation into an open space accessible to all neighbourhoods.*

![Social areas in the new Polignano park](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-park-2.jpg)
*The social areas in the park are designed for different age groups, fostering urban life beyond seasonal tourism.*

![Mediterranean vegetation and shade in the park](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-park-3.jpg)
*Mediterranean vegetation and shade structures create a comfortable microclimate even during the hottest summer months.*

![Leisure area at Polignano station, Viale Trieste](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-station-outdoor-leisure-area.jpg)
*The station opens onto Viale Trieste with an outdoor leisure area that transforms a non-place into a space for urban life.*

![Rendering of the redeveloped Polignano station area](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-station-1.jpg)
*The redevelopment of the station area creates a dignified entrance to the town for those arriving by train, with high-quality services and waiting areas.*

![New Polignano station square in the town centre](images/polymnia-futura/polymnia-futura-station-2.jpg)
*The new station square connects the mobility hub to the pedestrian path the historic centre of Polignano a Mare.*

---

## Technical details

- **Location:** Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Italy
- **Year:** 2025
- **Client:** Europan 18 (European architecture and urban planning competition)
- **Typology:** Urban regeneration, masterplan, sustainable mobility
- **Area:** [to be completed — urban scale]
- **Status:** Concept — Europan special mention
- **Designers:** Barberio Colella Architetti (Maurizio Barberio, Micaela Colella), Angelo Figliola, Khaled Jamal
- **Awards:** Europan 18 special mention
- **BCA vertical:** Sustainable Design (primary) · Public & Commercial Architecture (secondary)

---

## How can a tourist town in Apulia be regenerated beyond its historic centre?

Apulian tourist towns operate at two speeds: the historic centre is being enhanced, restored, and attracts investment and visitors. The neighbourhoods around the station, the suburbs beyond the railway line, and the residential neighborhoods built in the 1960s–1980s remain stagnant, with residual public spaces, transport reliant entirely on road vehicles, and no proper connection to the heart of the town. European and state funds provide resources, but without a coherent urban plan, those resources result in isolated interventions that do not alter the city’s structure. Polymnia Futura demonstrates that a different approach is possible in Polignano a Mare: viewing the area as a system, identifying strategic focal points (transport, green spaces, densification) and proposing a gradual transformation, tailored to the scale and identity of the place.

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the Europan competition and why is it relevant to urban regeneration?

Europan is the most important European architecture and urban planning competition for designers under 40. Each edition presents real sites in European cities and asks teams to develop visions for urban transformation. Winning and shortlisted projects often enter a phase of dialogue with local authorities regarding implementation. The Europan special mention awarded to Polymnia Futura at Europan 18 means that the proposal was recognised by an international jury as a credible and high-quality vision for Polignano a Mare.

### What are mobility hubs and how do they work in a medium-sized town?

A mobility hub is a physical location where multiple modes of transport — buses, bikes, car-sharing, pedestrian paths — converge, integrated with proximity services (shops, co-working spaces, storage facilities). In a town like Polignano, where the distance between neighbourhoods and the historic centre is short, mobility hubs serve to make alternatives to private cars a viable option: if you can find a bike station, a bus stop and a service point within a 5-minute walk from home, the car becomes less necessary.

### How much does an urban regeneration project like Polymnia Futura cost?

An urban regeneration masterplan that includes transport, public spaces and residential densification has costs that vary greatly depending on the scale and degree of transformation. For a project such as the one proposed in Polignano — which focuses primarily on the redevelopment of existing spaces and light densification — construction costs typically range from 5 to 15 million euros in total, largely fundable through European funds, the PNRR and equalisation planning instruments. Design costs for the masterplan and detailed designs amount to between 5% and 8% of the total project cost.

### How is the relationship between seasonal tourism and residents’ quality of life managed in urban regeneration?

Polymnia Futura addresses this issue by designing spaces that function 12 months a year, not just during the tourist season. The urban park, mobility hubs and leisure areas near the station are designed with residents in mind: those who live in Polignano all year round must have access to high-quality public spaces, alternative modes of transport to the car and proximity services. Tourism benefits from a better-organised city, but it is not the sole beneficiary.

### Which architects in Puglia have experience in urban regeneration and European competitions?

Barberio Colella Architetti, based in Bari, received a special mention at Europan 18 for Polymnia Futura’s proposal for Polignano a Mare. Both founders are architects with PhDs and have participated in international urban planning and architecture competitions. The practice combines deep roots in the Apulian region — knowledge of local urban dynamics, regulations and supply chains — with a design vision validated at European level.

### What are the planning constraints for a regeneration project in Polignano a Mare?

Polignano a Mare is subject to landscape restrictions (Apulia Regional Landscape Plan — PPTR), historic centre restrictions (Superintendency), and municipal planning regulations. A regeneration project in the areas beyond the railway line faces fewer historical and landscape restrictions than the town centre, but must still comply with the PPTR for coastal areas and with municipal planning regulations regarding density, building heights and urban standards. Direct knowledge of these restrictions, typical of a practice rooted in the local area, is a concrete operational advantage.

### Is it possible to implement an urban regeneration masterplan using PNRR funds?

Yes, several strands of the PNRR fund urban regeneration projects: Mission 5 Component 2 (Urban Regeneration and Social Housing), Mission 2 (Sustainable Mobility), and the FUTURA programme for school architecture when integrated into an urban plan. The masterplan serves as a guiding vision for submitting specific projects to calls for proposals, ensuring consistency between the individual funded projects. Without a masterplan, PNRR funds risk resulting in disconnected interventions.

---

## Is your city or local authority considering an urban regeneration project?

Polymnia Futura demonstrates that the quality of the project is the decisive factor in urban regeneration, not just the availability of funds. If your local authority or organisation is working on an urban transformation plan — with or without PNRR funding — we can discuss together the design strategy best suited to the urban context.

**[Let’s talk about your project]**

_[Let’s talk about your project]_

---

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