Since the 1980s, urban colour planning has been integral to the preservation of historical architectural heritage in cities across Italy.
This initiative was pioneered by Sikkens, concocted for Turin and the city's revitalisation of its historic landscape using specialised colour techniques.
Since then, the brand has developed over 20 colour plans for other Italian towns and cities, such as Naples, Portofino, Florence and Rome.
The city of Genoa joins the list as the latest place to utilise the brand's expertise. The city has signed a three-year agreement with multinational company AkzoNobel, which owns Sikkens, to launch a colour plan specific to its architectural heritage.
The plan will include technical guidelines describing the colours and materials that must be used in all future restoration and redecoration projects on building exteriors.
An analytical and historical study will be conducted, to determine the traditional colours used on the city's buildings over the last few centuries. The techniques, materials, building concepts and application methodologies will be thoroughly examined as well.
Francesca Coppola, Genoa's municipal councilor for urban planning, says in a press statement: "The goal is not to define a rigid model, but to provide a useful tool to accompany future interventions on facades with greater attention to urban quality, consistency with the historical context and enhancement of existing features."
The colour revitalisation will focus mainly on the area around the city's Old Port, a place where buildings dating back to the 18th century still stand today.
Simone Mazzoli, commercial director of AkzoNobel in Italy, says that the areas of the city that are covered by the plan will be divided into three parts.
The project will be done in stages, starting from the area spanning the front of the harbour – this part is expected to be completed by this year.
Mazzoli adds that they "…hope to complete all three phases by the end of 2027".
