Milan – Cortina 2026 Olympics, an opportunity for growth and regeneration for the whole territory. A reflection by Gianluca D’Incà Levis, curator of Dolomiti Contemporanee.

Igenuity is seeing possibility where everyone else sees none. – Enrico Mattei
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Ever since 2011, Dolomiti Contemporanee has been working for the regeneration of territories, through experimental reactivation of big, abandoned or underutilised sites inside the dolomites, both in the Belluno province and in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, in which important cultural and functional “construction sites” have been launched, ones which have kindled the national debate on regeneration and re-use.

These sites constitute a resource for the territory, and it is necessary to think of a correct way to use them relative to today’s needs, especially in today’s historical period, in which the concepts of sustainability, and regeneration, soil consumption reduction, seem to be very current.

But are these concepts actually current? Do political agendas take resource management and territory development practices into consideration?

At the moment, much is being said about the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

What what are, the olympics, actually? They aren’t a mere sports event, but an opportunity.
The olympics can be a great inspiration for growth of large areas, and for the entire country.
Let’s consider the former ENI Village of Corte, in Borca di Cadore, which is, to this day, a symbol of a time during which our country ran as it should, and was a real innovator; a work of art, of architecture and of environmental sensibility; the mass is substantial, it could host thousands of people.

Now, we must ask: would it not be appropriate to carry out an in-depth and accurate evaluation of this unique site and of the potential which it can actually offer in these circumstances?

This operation of re-usage, which is certainly a possible one, would be an ideal ground for the application of sustainability criteria.

It seems obvious that the former Eni Village should be considered as an option in the scope of the post-olympics; it would be able to house a series of activities useful for both the valley and for the whole province, linked to various social services types, big events, and much more. A great, diverse centre which we could call a “school of landscape”.

Will we be able, as a whole, to elaborate a shared strategy, and to tackle this undertaking, which isn’t about a town, but rather about a whole territory? Dolomiti Contemporanee reiterates the opportunity to take part in this kind of reflection, actually invites everyone to think about it, and is committed to continue the action of awareness, and to concretely move the tools of the culture-engine.

Gianluca d’Incà Levis

 

 

Pictured, the dig site of Zeus’ Temple in the Greek city of Olympia where, 3.500 years ago, the Games were born. (E. Curtius 1875)