Il quartiere marginale di Les Grottes: quando la riqualificazione parte dal coinvolgimento dei cittadini

The history of the Geneva development has profoundly influenced its present form: the period of greatest urban development was in the 19th century, after the demolition of the fortifications (1850-1880). These separated the ancient city, situated on the hill, from the rest of the urban area, defining a physical and social separation. One of the most complex suburban districts is Les Grottes, which has always had an independent life from the rest of the city. After the construction of the new station in 1928, the Municipality proposed several expansion projects which planned to raze the district of Les Grottes, considered picturesque, but crumbling and unhealthy. Because of the strong resistance of the inhabitants, some years later the APAG (Popular Action aux Grottes) was born which opposed the demolition plans and proposed (and obtained) the rehabilitation of the area. The aim of this paper is to show how a suburban district is able to defend its tradition and cultural identity through architecture: design contests, restorations and new interventions are coordinated by the intention of recovering the district without denying its nature.