Preliminary analysis have shown the presence of at least four different types of institutional and descriptive signs realized at different times and by either the municipality or by private entities such as sponsors (Arretium, Banca Popolare, Saico etc). Although interesting they suffer from lack of coordination and consistency. In fact, planning, design, materials and finishing are different, and there are no paper maps that indicate the itineraries. They are often simultaneous and this highlights discontinuity and, in some cases, redundancy, since they contain the same or similar information. Overall conditions are not good and often the weather, bird droppings, and vandalism have rendered them illegible. The identification system is designed to describe and narrate buildings, places, characters of historical or architectural interest. This system is then framed in a larger project to promote the city through the enhancement of its historic town and the discovery of the identity of place as a distinctive and original feature. The theme of promotion has led us to analyze the theme of reception in detail with regards to the main tourist office located near the train station, which has been neglected and abandoned. Same goes for the adjacent area, turned into an half-ruined and abandoned bicycles and motorbikes storage place, with a high level of degradation the more noticeable due to its location near the main city hub.
THREE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
FRAGMENTED INFORMATION
1 - MP MIRABILIA
2 - ARRETIUM
3 - THE HIDDEN CITY
1. Realized by MP MIRABILIA and sponsored by BANCA ETRURIA
This group of signs is limited in quantity. They consist of grey, metal supports whose style and design looks massive and bulky.
2. Arretium Route
This initiative has been carried out by the cultural department of Arezzo’s municipal offices with the support of European community in 2002. The project, which was called “ Arretium route and its famous citizens” involved the execution of illustrative panels, set on floor posts (n. 79) and placed in the most significant city monuments and the realization of an exhibition of 25 small bronze busts of Arezzo’s most celebrated citizens.
3. The hidden city
This initiative, dating back to the 90s, is interesting since it identifies 4 itineraries to discover less famous, yet historically important, places. It consists of 47 signs made out of black metal panels measuring 30x40 and whose matrix is located in Piazza Grande in front of the Fraternity Palace. Unfortunately, this matrix, which is the only key to identify the signs’ positioning, is almost unreadable. Many signs are dirty or deteriorated, no maintenance has been done with time and therefore they also contribute to a slovenly, careless perception of the city image.
4. Panels celebrating the movie “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Benigni
Some scenes of the movie set in Arezzo are recalled on the panels located on the shooting sites. These panels are indeed the most attractive for tourists and visitors. They consist of a grey metal, liberty style support and they can be found in a limited number of locations (approximately 6)
URBAN SCENOGRAPHY & SUSTAINABILITY
04
1
2
3
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
cookie policy
wmldesign