Designing Slow Landscapes in Inner Mountain Territories

Extending the concept of "proximity" to a territorial scale goes beyond simply extending the timeframe for travel but also involves a reimagination on how these services are provided, repositioned within the territory, and interconnected on a larger scale. In marginal contexts and Italy’s internal areas (SNAI, 2019), the concept of proximity should translate into opportunities for physical and social closeness. This implies the creation of inviting public spaces, efficient connections between localities and collaborations among communities, all tailored to each unique context, respecting and promoting its characteristics. In the pursuit of proximity, cyclability, and considering the context vulnerability, a research-by-design proposal for a slow cycling path in the mountainous territory of Val di Rabbi (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) has been explored. The essay revolved around five fundamental paradigms of slow landscape design: habitat, community, public space, engineering, and design. Creating a cycling path in a mountainous context first requires an understanding of the unique temporal dimensions that governs the valley’s reality —a geographical, historical, and natural time, 3often more extended than the rhythms of urban life.