Anticipative Processes in the Regeneration of Built Environment Through Major Events

This contribution illustrates some possible applications of futures studies – more specifically of the anticipative processes – in the regeneration of the built environment, in relation to other contemporary issues like sustainable development, strategic planning, creativity and major events. In the built environment field, increased complexity and unpredictability have encouraged the exploration of possible scenarios, in an attempt to control change and influence the future. In this context, visioning practices and the extensive participation of stakeholders emerge as alternatives to traditional planning and design methods, providing a way to effectively and efficiently manage the transformation of an area or at least to give direction. The report on some questions of method (allowing the association of project practices to those of anticipation, while focusing on the sustainability and resilience of urban contexts) is followed by a discussion of major events viewed as exercises of anticipation supporting urban regeneration

In Search of the Metropolitan Dimension

The new settlement phenomena in our territory, linked to current globalisation processes and the increasing complexity of contemporary society, have caused a crisis of the historical boundaries and are creating new planning layouts. In this context, the metropolitan dimension is once again viable, and Italy, with Sicily sometimes experiencing these processes in advance, is reorganising the institutions covering large areas, directing processes and trying out new convergences, under the driving force of new public finance reorganisation policie

A new cosmetic treatment for cellulite: A pilot multicentric study

Cellulite is a chronic disorder especially affecting females. It is the result of multiple alterations of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, including increased capillary permeability, adipocytic hyperplasia and hypertrophy as well as fluid stasis in the interstitial spaces. The correct management approach should be able to improve microcirculation and stimulate lipolysis, modifying the primary pathogenetic factors of the disease. However, in order to achieve a satisfactory therapeutic response, it is important to identify and to treat cellulite at its early reversible stages (stages I e II). A pilot multicentric study on 336 women aged 30 to 50 years aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a new cosmetic treatment for cellulite increasing lipolysis and cutaneous elasticity is presented. © Copyright 2007, CIC Edizioni Internazionali