Project
The Fortemare project, due to the cross-border cooperation between Sicily and Malta, aims to help strengthen the inclusion and social innovation of the fortified coastal heritage of the two islands, in relation to the ports of access, thanks to the role of culture and sustainable tourism.
The architectural, climatic and landscape similarities between the two islands will be presented in an innovative way thanks to new technologies and through the historical reconstruction of the routes taken by travellers and workers, which fuelled multiple cultural and commercial exchanges.
The solutions that will be designed (cultural and landscape itineraries, tactile paths and artefacts, a participatory public consultation platform) will not only promote the widespread use and enhancement of the cultural sites under consideration, but will also aim to increase public awareness of the identity of the places and foster a sense of belonging, so as to encourage local communities to actively participate in the enhancement processes.
Italian and Maltese partners, with complementary expertise in coastal fortified heritage, are working together in an integrated manner. The lead partner is the Department of Architecture at the University of Palermo, which has interdisciplinary experience in historical research, restoration and the enhancement of monumental sites. The partners are the Port System Authority of Western Sicily, which is involved in the redevelopment of the area adjacent to the archaeological park of Castello a Mare in Palermo and in the management of tourist flows, and the Maltese NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa, whose members have consolidated experience in the management, maintenance and restoration of Maltese towers. All partners are co-designers of the outputs, contributing to the creation of new cross-border cultural and tourist itineraries.
Participants
LP – University of Palermo, Department of Architecture (DARCH)
- Director of the DARCH: Prof. Arch. Francesco Lo Piccolo
- Scientific Coordinator of the project: Prof. Arch. Zaira Barone
- Administrative Manager: Dr Mario Gagliano
- Project Monitoring and Reporting Manager: Dr Emiliano Scaffidi Abbate
- Project Manager: Dott.ssa Mariagrazia Benfante
- Financial Manager: Dott. Gianluca Currao
- Communication Manager: Prof. Arch. Cinzia Ferrara
DARCH – Faculty members of the working group
- Fabrizio Agnello
- Armando Antista
- Mirco Cannella
- Teresa Cilona
- Marcello Costa
- Stefania Crobe
- Cinzia Ferrara
- Emanuela Garofalo
- Vincenza Garofalo
- Annalisa Giampino
- Antonella Mamì
- Emanuele Palazzotto
- Stefano Piazza
- Renata Prescia
- Daniele Ronsivalle
- Rosario Scaduto
- Filippo Schilleci
DARCH – Technical and Administrative Staff
- Dr Mario Gagliano
- Emiliano Scaffidi Abbate
- Francesco Acquaviva
DARCH – Research Fellows
- Laura Barrale – Arch. PhD student
- Clelia La Mantia – Arch. PhD student
Consultants selected for the project
- Consultant for the design of supports for totems and tactile maps: Arch. PhD Michele Cammarata
- Consultant for the three-dimensional survey of the coastal towers: Arch. Rosamaria Conigliaro
- Consultant for GIS-based mapping: Arch. Antonio Di Prima
- Press Officer Consultant: Dr Sofia Li Pira
- Consultant for historical-critical research: Arch. PhD Gabriele Vassallo
- Consultant for the enhancement and design of tactile and landscape itineraries: Arch. Paolo Scuderi
PP1 – Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mare della Sicilia Occidentale (ADSP)
- Office for EU Policies, Project Management, and Financial Blending: Dr. Flora Albano and the appointed working group
PP2 – Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLH), National Trust of Malta
- President: Arch. Patrick Calleja
- Members: Prof. Alex Torpiano, Prof. Shirley Cefai
- Administration: Rosanne Zerafa