2006 International Symposium
"Renovation of Riverside Cities in Central Italy−Roma and Firenze"

Date： 7, Oct. 2006 (Sat) 13:00-18:00
Place: 7th Floor Room, '80 Building, Ichigaya Campus of Hosei Univ.

"Waterfront Renovation−Firenze and the Arno River"
Giancarlo Paba
In ancient times when the flow of the Arno had not appeared yet, wet land was shaped around two lakes. In the process of geological transformation, the flow of the Arno and surface of water had been formulated. Through difficult formation process, this area had been suffered from complicated problems and flood.
The Arno River was located in the plane field of Firenze, while roads ran along rising ground. Furthermore, the importance from the strategic point of view made flourished the city. Historical rivers had intricately flown in the Roman times; however, these rivers were straightened. Railroads were constructed, and many settlements were built along roads. Rivers served roles as important axes to civilize cities and surrounding areas.
Leonardo da Vinci proposed the concept of ideal city; the plan included the change of flow and system of the Arno River, construction of waterways utilizing water from rivers, and to move the river to the middle of the city for rational and safe usage (Fig.1). This plan was expected to protect against flood, allow large-scale ship transformation, and made Firenze an inner port town.
He also proposed double-structured city, where upper level were for roads, and lower level for canals.
The reconstruction figure of Firenze in the Roman Times, showed that boats were used for connecting both sides of the river banks at first, and wooden bridge was constructed next, and Ponte Vecchio was finally built. Ship transportation was partly provided, while port facilities were not fully utilized yet.
Birds' eye views show that in the Renaissance, rivers served roles as in the Middle Ages; city core was the front side, and surrounding area was the back side. In the city core, rivers gradually became architecture, and then models.
Since ancient times, architectural structure was built over rivers one after another along the river, attracting many people, and the foot of a bridge became one of the important spots. Some of those places were assumed to be water theaters (Fig.2). Cascine, Plazzo Pitti, and the Arno River were important sites for festivals; between these two bridges, artisans of dye shops and textile manufacturers performed simulated war of ancient times, in the patio of Plazzo Pitti filled with water.
Ponte Vecchio was rebuilt from simple one to wood bridge, and then to a mighty style. The bridge functioned as defensive system. Shops were built firstly inside and then outside of the bridge. In the Renaissance, architecturally integrated vertical axis was formed along the Arno River (Fig.3). The bridge had originally a portico. When the extension is made to the bridge, the arcade was closed and shops were built instead. In the modern era, portico was restored.
The reconstruction plan for the damages caused by the World War II, proposed the conservation of tower and construction of terraces directly down to the river banks. However, the plan could not be realized. Buildings were lined over the river instead. Another broken bridge was restored based on the original style.
In the 19th century, the relationship between rivers was altered; cities and rivers were separated by dykes. Water mills linked economic activities. Water drawn from the upper stream, flowed through buildings, water mills and to the lower stream. Based on power supplied by water mills, fabric industrial facilities were built. In the surrounding area of Cascine, water flowed through waterways was utilized for power source within the city (Fig.4).
The river wall was constructed at St. Nicolo bridge. Three roads were built by demolishing two arches of the bridge and the connection between water and the city was more or less separated. The axis of Cascine, square as open space, and rivers as linkage, composed one of the important places of Firenze. Ponte Vecchio got hit by flood in 1966; the flood also damaged art works. 　
Many plans were prepared for the Arno River. Rogers proposed the reorganization of the area along the river for recreation. Adding to the existing steps, the plan proposed the idea to provide new steps for lower river banks, in order to effectively utilize two levels.
The plan of Jean Carlo aimed at the restoration of the relationship between rivers and surrounding districts for improving the environment. It included reinforcement, enhancement and development of existing green zone, and construction of green parks along the Arno by connecting these green areas.
Other plan included the preparation of sidewalks along the river, vegetable gardens, and ship transportation using boatslips.
In Firenze, small-scale, well-designed, high quality plans will be formulated instead of high-rise buildings or large-scale development for restoration of relationship with water. Through these plans, ecological and safe places to restore nature, as well as for effective use for human, will be created.

"Roma and the Tevere River: Development of Waterfront Cities−from its Origin to Present"
Marco Pompili
I will consider the relationship between cities and rivers in Roma from the viewpoint of historical stage, focusing on dykes constructed in the 19th century.
Roma was developed centered on the left bank (the east side). On the other hand, the right bank has comprised of two cores: Vatican, and Sant'Angelo aginst Trastevere. The structure of the left bank has geometric axes and was shaped in the early phase of the city. The right bank has had a complicated structure.
The flood in 1870 which caused significant damages, promoted the development of dykes. The history of Roma has been characterized by flood damages, not only to buildings or physical environment, but also to sanitary conditions because of epidemic. It was required for Roma as capital city, to design the system for surely protecting cities against flood.
Firstly, meandering stream of the Tevere River was planned to be straightened; however, dykes were built instead. The natural relationship between the city and the river, was changed after the construction of dykes. Therefore, the construction of dykes has been considered to be a compromised resolution, often criticized even today. However, from the technical point of view, this solution should be reevaluated. At that point of time, dynamic urban development was promoted, emphasizing on symbolic representation of riverside landscape. Through historical studies of dykes, the context of the construction of this "wall" could be understood.
From ancient times, the Tevere River served the role of "base of the city" to develop boatslips, ports and cities. Through the reconstruction drawing of ancient times, we can see that various spaces were developed linking urban facilities to port functions. There were also ports used for war.
In the 2nd century B.C., the dynamic commercial activities expanded urban facilities toward downstream, where port facilities called Emporium were constructed. Roma developed around such port facilities, because they served important role closely linked with Mediterranean cities.
In the imperial regime, commercial functions were developed along with the expansion of Roma, and the role of rivers became more decisive. At the same time, necessity for a large port eliminated the importance of the Emporium. In Fiumicino at the mouth of the Tevere River, a new port was constructed and the Emporium became the second port for entering the city. On the other hand, the landscape of the right bank area was changed by the construction of large monuments along rivers. The monument also had roles of monitoring and protecting the river.
The depopulation after the collapse of the Ancient Rome scaled down the city. The major construction work was focused on churches. At the same time, development works for residences of surrounding areas were also encouraged. The pilgrims to Vatican who arrived at Fiumicino went up the Tevere River by ship. Therefore, the Emporium and Teverina Island were converted into welfare institution for pilgrims.
In the Middle Ages, the relationship between rivers and cities was not significantly varied. In the city, towers and water mills were frequently found. Life areas were increasingly concentrated around rivers, for the purpose of defense. The rivers served roles for water to drink, as well as for motive energy.
In the 15th century, the urban renovation plan of Bramante, by the command of Pope, was implemented. Main streets on both banks composed a linear and clear urban structure.
In the 16th century, Ripetta district developed as baotslip. Newly built urban facilities on the left bank added the elements of Renaissance to existing medieval urban structure. Fine landscape was stretching toward the river. Views from terraces and gardens were taken into consideration, using the Tevere River as a kind of stage.
In the 18th century, two symbolic landscapes can be seen on two ports: Ripetta and Ripagrande. Ripetta had a boatslip with curved steps in front of a church. The port facilities along with the buildings at the back emphasize the symbolic effect of Ripagrande. Various decorations for riverside spaces, e.g., the monument of Sant'Angelo Bridge were made, as well as theaters along rivers. The present streets have the names of theaters at the era.
As described above, the landscape within the city and urban space representing the consciousness to water, had coexisted until the era of dyke construction in the 19th century.
At present, the middle spaces between roads and rivers are utilized for recreation, such as sport facilities. In the summer, the event called EstateRoma took place around the Teverena Island, changing the expression of the Tevere River. Furthermore, spaces for bicycles were prepared aiming to create the linkage with water.
As a result, the riverside spaces for recreation have been developed after the construction of high dykes. In other words, waterfront and the inner city have been increasingly reevaluated and utilized.