The Luigi Enaudi University Campus of the University of Turin is located in the center of Turin, Italy, where 8,000 students are taught in the faculties of law and political science, and where there is also a university residence. The 4.5-hectare site, located in the historic heart of the city, was built at a cost of 135 million euros, allowing the recovery and return to the community of a highly valuable piece of land in the heart of the urban fabric. Between 1850 and 1980 the site was used by the ItalGas plant for the production of coal gas, whereby various products containing hydrocarbons, such as coal tar and carbon black, were stored. The residues of these products included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, cyanides, sulfides and heavy metals. Its central location signified a clear potential for redevelopment of the site, and it was chosen as the new educational center for the University of Turin. Prior to the installation of the campus, a land remediation process was carried out between 2001 and 2011. The geology of the site consists of fluvial and glacial deposits of gravel and sand in a sandy soil matrix. The aquifer is located about 9-10 m above ground level. Site characterization identified over 50,000 m3 of soil that did not meet permitted concentrations for residential uses. Given these characteristics, the sandy soils were remediated using bioremediation technologies that use native soil microorganisms to biodegrade the organic constituents absorbed by the soils, which involves introducing a flow of air or oxygen to accelerate the process. In addition, the soil has been treated by a system of pumping, oxygen supersaturation and reinjection into the aquifer. Using DM 471/99 as a reference, the following risk analysis was performed: The most in-depth revisions arose from the analysis of volatile organic compounds, as potential risks were identified in subway parking lots and gymnasiums. The model used showed that subway parking lots presented no health risks. In contrast, for the gymnasium it could be subject to risks due to inhalation of benzene and naphthalene vapors, so construction standards were established for these spaces, including the construction of ventilated crawl spaces and forced mechanical ventilation in the overhead spaces. In addition, the soil matrix was insulated by the use of paving to avoid contact with users, and the central courtyard gardens have been planted on infills, at a higher height than the pavement. The urban regeneration project was designed by the studio of famed British architect and designer, Norman Foster, and opened in 2012. The proposal aims to create a , as well as highlight historic sites within walking distance of the campus. To increase connections to the surrounding neighborhoods, a pedestrian bridge over the Dora River was built along the axis of the new center. Finally, the large central plaza became the hub where the various campus buildings converge.
