Chilometr01
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: San Donato Milanese, IT
Organization(s) Involved: Parrocchia di San Donato, Caritas di San Donato, Attraverso APS
Contact Person: Francesco De Simoni
Name: Chilometr01
Position: Piazza della Pieve, San Donato Milanese
Email: contatta@chilometr01.it
Web: https://www.chilometr01.it/
SUMMARY
Chilometr01 (to make km01 faster) is a project born from reflections on how underused urban spaces can be places that generate cohesion and activism in a community, in which to combine aggregation with the fragilities of our cities.
It tries to feed these reflections and experiment them in a real space , valorizing the past and building solid and sustainable future prospects. Km01, because on the Via Emilia, because we are at the beginning of a journey, because it wants to act on the community but also give hospitality to those who, in some way, are on the journey (a little wider than km0, at km01)
OBJECTIVES
Casa Zaccheo: During the winter, the “cold emergency” service will be reactivated to provide shelter for homeless individuals. In the spring-summer period, the same spaces will promote alternative forms of hospitality, experimenting with uses and activities related to volunteering and shared living experiences aimed at young people.
Returning the space to the city: Through moments of gathering and sharing of spaces, the goal is to make the area livable for the community and test its effectiveness in attracting an audience. Participatory governance models will also be experimented with to promote community engagement in the project.
Marginality and ethical consumption: Activities will be organized to promote reuse and ethical consumption of goods, clothing, and food. There will be initiatives for collecting and distributing surplus food, as well as awareness-raising activities on the themes of reuse and exchange of goods.
Sustainable structuring: An economic and structural analysis pathway will be undertaken for the future, guiding the partnership in defining an economic-financial management plan, a technical-economic feasibility plan for the redevelopment of the structure, and a model for evaluating and monitoring activities.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
We are located in the former rectory of the ancient Pieve di San Donato Milanese, in Piazza Pio XII (adjacent to the larger Piazza della Pieve). It is a building from 1500, born as a parish house for the adjacent Pieve di San Donato. The cadastral data and the location, close to the ancient route of the Via Emilia, suggest that over the centuries it may also have had a function of welcoming wayfarers and pilgrims. In recent decades, it has served as a shelter on the coldest days for the homeless, but has become unused in the summer. The goal is therefore to find new functions for the spaces, through the activation of local realities that can bring a positive contribution.
IMPLEMENTATION: ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGIES
The entire project is funded by a foundation that supports cultural and social initiatives in Lombardy. Currently, the project aims to create a space for gathering, entertainment, reflection, and engagement of new generations. This goal is pursued through concerts, outdoor cinema, communal dinners, and various ecological activities, involving all the entities connected to the space.
One of the initiatives that is yet to launch is a residency for young people during the spring-summer period, when Casa Zaccheo is not hosting the homeless. This project will involve 5 young individuals living together, taking care of the structure, and actively participating in the projects.
Partners:
Parrocchia di San Donato: The lead partner and owner of the space. It aims to regenerate the area by combining social initiatives with sustainability.
Caritas di San Donato: Project partner, this is the local Caritas organization. It has been addressing marginality for years, seeking to blend charity with activism.
Attraverso APS: Project partner, this is an association from the province of Milan formed by young people from our area. It seeks creative methods to highlight and connect themes, people, projects, and ideas.
Other stakeholders: Municipality of San Donato, Libera, Recup, SandoSwap, Cinevan, Spazio Aperto Servizi, Sandocalling…
PROJECT OUTCOMES & LESSONS LEARNED
So far, the project has been very successful, given that the space is located in the city center. Probably the most successful initiatives have been those related to music and food. Currently, efforts are being made to understand how this project can be sustained financially, as it is funded by a grant. Many of the regenerated spaces in Italy face similar challenges regarding their sustainability.
IMPACT
However, what this project aims to do is create a real community around it: within the space, there are young people, seniors, and children, both as audience members and as active participants. The project includes completely different entities: parishes, the Red Cross, youth associations, Caritas… This positive mix benefits the city, allowing many citizens to connect with the space.
VISUAL AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS