Historic ports of Apulia: Brindisi from investigation to enhancement

Since the 19th century, pre-industrial ports have developed productive, commercial and touristic facilities with modern standards in logistics, safety and accessibility. Such a transformation has definitely affected the historical and architectural heritage, in terms of state of conservation, as well as of relationship with the port system and the urban settlement. The paper is going to describe and discuss an assessment methodology, with specific reference to the representative case study of Brindisi, South Italy. The overall research goal is the definition of limits and opportunities toward the requalification of historical buildings and spaces, as a way for the sustainable management of the port system and the strengthening of the tangible and intangible connection between urban settlement and sea front. Specifically, starting from the overview of the historical and morphological evolution of the port, the analysis through survey forms and thematic maps concerns historical architectures, structures and infrastructures with environmental criticalities, polarities and connections within the port and the city. The results point out how the safeguard and enhancement of the built heritage might pave the way for the environmental requalification of the port and the development of the port-city relationship.