4.1.2. Nara Grid

To define the threshold of transformability and compatibility with a range of uses and functions suitable for urban regeneration, an analytic approach has been implemented based on a broader understanding of the cultural values to be protected and the related strategies.

The Nara Grid has been developed based on the Nara Documents on Authenticity [18] to support in evaluating the multi-layered concept of authenticity [19,20]. This methodology has been implemented in order to identify the systemic relations of the area with the building fabric. In detail, for each historic building located inside the site under evaluation, a qualitative table has been developed aimed to define their performance against the artistic, historic, social, scientific/cultural and economic values. To fulfil the description, a detailed survey and investigation of the historic buildings was also required, leading to recognition of some of the buildings and the relics of the medieval hospital—that is a value definitely worth protecting and taking into account in the urban policies.

The analysis enabled the highlighting of the potential of the BCH in order to inspire functions, which could be more feasible in the regeneration process, because of the easy match of the functional requirements with the actual performances offered by historic buildings. Thus, among the selected scenarios, it has been possible to design alternatives oriented to consider profitable facilities with limited transformation required in order to minimize the cost, while enhancing the conservation of the authentic historical structures.

### 4.1.3. Case Studies

Ten territorial health centers in the national context and seven in the European context have been analyzed in order to underline best practices and to elicit intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics to consider [21]. The sample has been selected by considering the year of the projects—in fact the most recent ones have been chosen—and those placed in a territorial context comparable to the Municipality of Vimercate. In detail, the investigation allowed us to elicit important criteria able to support the design phase, both regarding the location and the outdoor spaces, e.g., accessibility, proximity to residential areas, proximity to green areas, flexibility, etc., and regarding the indoor spaces, e.g., harmonization with context, accesses, architectural barriers, flexibility of the structure, natural light, etc. This part allowed us to understand how territorial health centers should be designed and in which context they can be located. In fact, this analysis gave us the possibility to develop a comparative table where both intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics have been evaluated to assess trends and best practices and specifically pros and cons, with the aim to frame notions to guide the design and the location phase.
