The 10th Research Meeting of History Project

Date: 28 July 2005 (Thursday) 18:30-21:00
Place: Meeting Room A, 26th Floor, Boissonade Tower, Ichigaya Campus, Hosei University

"Study on Lost Canals in Waterfront City, Venice--from canals to alleyways; the modern logic and spaces"
Yuji Ishiwata
This presentation aims to explain underlying modern logics of reclamation, and characteristics of spaces where canals were converted into alleyways, from the viewpoint of reclamation of canals in Venice. Such alleyways are referred to as "rio terra".
Firstly, I considered the logic supported the reclamation of canals. I clarified the modern logics for reclamation observed during the 17th to 20th centuries when canals had been actively filled in, by classifying the reasons into three types: for saving the maintenance cost of canals, improving hygiene issues including bad smell, and preparing overland circulation.
In the next place, from the viewpoint of history of modern Venice, often interfered by powerful countries, I analyzed the rulers' logics; particularly on the difference among the logics in the period of independent Republic of Venice and those in the era of dependency to France and Australia. The logics in the era of independency when the city was developing with canals, show that the reclamation had been carried out, after taking into consideration the maintenance of the water flow for entire canals. However, the fall of Republic of Venice, followed by the era of dependency, had changed the logic of reclamation. In short, major canals for ship transportation and other sound canals were filled for the purpose, which had nothing to do with the canal itself. Under Australian administration, the reclamation had been carried out for overland road centered on two bridges on Canal Grande; and for space to hold a triumphal entry of Napoleon under French administration. On the other hand, the rulers' ideal spaces were expressed as rio terra, tree-lined streets and parks, where new urban space was gradually emerging.
Then, I pointed out that the rio terra formed by reclamation of canals has characteristics different from other alleyways; rio terra, which are commonly wider and longer than usual alleyways, provide open street spaces with rich sunlight, in contrast with narrow and shady alleyways. The both compose attractive alley spaces. I also added the consideration on how people remember the old canals in relation to the history of the city.
The rio terra is closely related to inhabitants' lives as a nice gathering place for communication, composing the charm of Venice, along with variedly used alley spaces.

"Reading Amsterdam"
Momoko Iwai
This presentation aimed to read historic urban spaces and architecture in the core of water city, Amsterdam, from the historical background.
The town had been built on soft layered ground composed of sand, peat, clay, and the groundwater flowing 1.5 meters below the surface. By constructing a dam above the Amsterdam River, as well as dikes along the coastline and rivers, the inhabitants tried to protect their own lands from the water damage.
Amsterdam was born in 1275. The toll on ships on the Amsterdam River had already supported the town's economy before the foundation of the town. Thereafter, Amsterdam flourished as the stopping point for cities of Hanseatic League, trading with North European countries. Active trading and events had been held in the Dam square on the dam.
Immigrants were increasing as the city flourished, and the town had undergone a series of expansion. In the late 16th century, Amsterdam experienced a major turning point. In the Eighty Years' War fought between Netherlands and Spain--the ruler of the town at that time--, the Spanish army took control of Antwerp. The merchants of Antwerp which was the trading center among European cities, fled down to Amsterdam along with the trading know-how and networks. As a result, newly opened trading routs lead to the city's rapid growth as a port town. The 17th century, referred to as "Golden Age" started, as the Dutch East India Company was established in 1602.
On the other hand, the city faced an urgent need to ensure more residential spaces because of the rapid increase of immigrants. In the 17th century, the city expanded twice. In this process, the concept of ideal city (circular city) based on the Renaissance ideas, was reflected to the expansion plan of Amsterdam. From the Dam square as the core, three canals were excavated concentrically; the living area for rich merchants and those for craftsmen (Jordaan quarter) were built. The second expansion formulated the frame of the present fan-shaped city.
The resulting urban space was finely shaped, with town blocks split into stripe-shaped lots like Kyoto. The citizens purchased these sites from the city for their houses. The neighborhood for rich merchants was composed of lot unit with approximately six-by-fiftieth meters. On the other hand, Jordaan quarter was composed of lots, each of which measured 4-5 meters wide and 8-9 meters long. One of the major differences of these areas was how to use the spaces behind buildings. In the rich merchants' district, it was impossible to make extensions behind a building because the rear space was set to be an open area by law. On the contrary, the usage of spaces behind the building was not restricted in the Jordaan district; therefore the extension was densely put to the buildings, often resulting to become a slum area in later years. In contrast to the areas formulated in the 17th century, which had clearly shaped urban space, the former urban spaces presented unmistakable influence of medieval cities, with unshaped city blocks. Some buildings had trapezoidal plans in such area, influenced by the original land shape of drained land.
The ships for transportation on the remaining canal have been replaced by leisure boats at present. As long as citizens continue to enjoy water, canals will keep flowing within Amsterdam. Furthermore, the historical value of buildings in the city core was found, and now they are preserved based on the regulations. In some residences, the adjacent backyards have been transformed into a large comfortable space. The flexibility of Amsterdam always comes as refreshing surprises.