A plan worth over 11 million euros to improve Turin’s neighborhood libraries places where you don’t just go to consult a book, but public spaces where you can meet, build relationships, create all-round culture. It is the strategy of the City which allocates the huge sum thanks to the Pnrr funds, as part of the Integrated Urban Plan: the structures involved are the Luigi Carluccio, Cesare Pavese and Passerin d’Entreves libraries, together with youth centers «Neverland» and «Centro Inside».
The formal step was taken in the last session of the municipal council with the approval of the executive projects for extraordinary maintenance, on the proposal of the deputy mayor Michela Favaro. The works will also serve to improve external environments such as the surrounding green areas, as well as breaking down architectural barriers around the buildings.
Favaro explains the rationale for the interventions: «Libraries are an infrastructure of social relations and public participation, places that they are not aimed at passive entertainment or commercial exchange, but cultural reference points that offer opportunities to be together – he says – Redeveloping them to improve accessibility and the quality of the spaces will have positive consequences for sociality and inclusion, contributing to the well-being of the entire community».
In the Carluccio library and in the civic center, home to municipal offices and associations, we will proceed with energy requalification actions, adaptation of the premises, renewal of the systems and safety measures. In particular, the restoration of roofs and shelters, the replacement of curtain walls, false ceilings and floors are envisaged, as well as the reconstruction of the electrical system, lighting, heating and cooling, water and sewerage system, fire prevention and video surveillance. The internal and external spaces will be rearranged with new furnishings and the library will be equipped with digital infrastructures for the use of contents and services for citizens. The green areas, paths and benches will also be redeveloped and new signage will be installed.
Similar improvement interventions will also be carried out in the perimeter of the Cesare Pavese and Alessandro Passerin d’Entrèves libraries, including public spaces around the two cultural hubs. Among the planned works there is also the maintenance of warehouses and library depots in via Orvieto 57in the former Superga factory.
Another chapter concerns the centers for youth protagonism “L’Isola che non c’è” in via Rubino 24 and “Centro Dentro” in Corso Siracusa 225, where the building will be renovated with the toilets brought up to standard and systems, as well as improving the use of spaces (offices and multipurpose rooms).
