L'Aquila 10 Years After Earthquake: A Missed Opportunity
Writer Alessandro Chiappanuvoli reflects on L'Aquila a decade after the 2009 earthquake, arguing the city wasted a chance to reinvent itself. He criticizes the 'com'era, dov'era' (as it was, where it was) reconstruction approach, which prioritized conservative restoration over innovation. Chiappanuvoli suggests L'Aquila could have become a cultural hub, university city, health city, tourism destination, smart city, or green city, but instead lacks identity. He notes that only private initiatives have enriched the territory, while many residents left. He urges other Central Italy earthquake-stricken areas to learn from L'Aquila's mistakes and build a shared community identity before reconstruction.
Key facts
- Alessandro Chiappanuvoli is a writer and sociologist from L'Aquila.
- The earthquake struck L'Aquila in April 2009.
- Reconstruction followed the motto 'com'era, dov'era' (as it was, where it was).
- Chiappanuvoli appeared on Rai Radio 3 with Loredana Lipperini.
- He criticizes the lack of a strategic vision for the city's future.
- Potential directions included culture, university, health, tourism, smart city, green city, and seismic innovation.
- Private initiatives have emerged, but many citizens left.
- The article was published on Artribune in March 2019.
- Reference to A. Ciccozzi's 2015 article on cultural heritage and seismic safety.
- Chiappanuvoli's book 'Lacrime di poveri Christi' and poetry collection 'golgota' are mentioned.
Entities
Artists
- Alessandro Chiappanuvoli
- Loredana Lipperini
- Antonio di Cecco
- Claudio Cerasoli
- A. Ciccozzi
Institutions
- Rai Radio 3
- Artribune
- Università di Ingegneria
- Ospedale Regionale San Salvatore
- Gran Sasso
- Premio Laudomia Bonanni
Locations
- L'Aquila
- Italy
- Norcia
- Basilica di San Benedetto
- Centro Italia
- Berlino
- Vesuvio
- Terzigno