reMARE: Candelo Urban Link Competition

Via San Sebastiano Square, located in the heart of Candelo next to an elementary school, hosts large groups of users throughout the day. Despite this high level of daily activity, the square’s current layout limits its potential as an inclusive and vibrant public space, with fragmented areas, uneven accessibility, and underutilized zones. This design proposal addresses these shortcomings through a holistic approach, aiming to unlock the square’s latent potential and transform it into an accessible, flexible, and socially engaging civic area. 
The design concept is inspired by the on-site graffiti “Una volta c’era il mare.” Based on this expression, an abstract image of the landscape is created, with blue representing the sports area, green the main gathering spaces, and brown the pathways and parking areas, forming the basis of the square’s spatial identity. In addition, a geodesic network abstraction derived from the site’s geographical features is integrated throughout the area, guiding the organization of functions and the placement of urban elements. 
Initially, the staircase of the square is analyzed. A spiral ramp is integrated into the existing structure, which was previously unsuitable for people with disabilities, elderly users, and parents with strollers. A slide and an outdoor amphitheater are incorporated to complement the vertical circulation, transforming it into an integral part of the play experience. 
In the next phase, in line with the Tactical Urbanism approach, a low-cost and creative playground is designed on the ground plane. This intervention incorporates directional markings and wayfinding elements while preserving the existing multi-purpose sports court. In addition, outdoor gym equipment and a table sports area are introduced to expand recreational opportunities for users of different age groups.
As a third step, the project aims to increase both the quantity and diversity of urban furniture within the square. In this context, a long table is designed as a multifunctional element: during ordinary days it can serve everyday use and playful activities, while during special occasions such as festivals or market days it can function as a sales stand. 
In the relaxing zone, a communal hammock and flexible chaise lounges activate the space adjacent to the depot entrance, while the existing upper-level benches have been replaced with newly designed ones, with a viewing pier created over the lower level, evoking a harbor-like perspective of the square’s abstracted “sea.” 
Finally, the parking areas, which previously occupied a large portion of the site, are reorganized. While the number of parking spaces is preserved, the overall area allocated to vehicles is reduced. Vehicular routes are clearly defined through ground markings, allowing for a wider, safer, and more continuous circulation area for pedestrians. 
Overall, the proposal reinterprets Via San Sebastiano Square as an inclusive, accessible, and flexible public space. Through low-cost and tactical interventions, the project strengthens everyday use while allowing the square to adapt to different activities and user groups throughout the day. Rather than introducing a rigid design solution, the proposal offers a spatial framework that encourages interaction, play, and social life at the heart of Candelo.