carlo ratti associati (CRA) has revealed plans to transform the waterfront of lugano, a swiss city close to the italian border. developed alongside transport-planning firm mobility in chain (MIC), the design aims to increase the links between the city and the lake with a system of public spaces ? from a floating garden island, to a new water navigation system and reconfigurable roads capable of responding to people in real-time.

all images by CRA-carlo ratti associati
 
 
as part of the plan, the congested waterfront would be partly pedestrianized, with a dynamic road system that can be configured with zero, one, or two lanes at different times of the day. shared surfaces with playgrounds and social gathering spaces could also be accommodated. at the same time, electric autonomous vehicles and micro-mobility solutions integrate private mobility. the waterfront also include a system of smart signage, responsive street furniture, infrastructure that produces clean energy from heat absorption, and a series of mobility hubs where people can select their preferred, shared mode of transport.
 
 
?by analyzing mobile and traffic data and back-upping the mobility concept?s definition with a model-based scientific approach, we supported CRA?s urban vision of transforming the fracture of today?s lakefront vehicular axis into a responsive space, hosting new mobility solutions and enabling the waterfront to adjust dynamically to the vibrant ecosystem of lugano,? explains federic...