Centrality Bufalotta

Centralità Bufalotta (versione in italiano)


Bufalotta is one of the metropolitan centrality of the “new” PRG (General Plan) of Rome, the one approved in 2008, after a long and arduous journey that began in 1995.

The Centrality of metropolitan and urban areas are aimed at the new multi-polar organization of the metropolitan area, through a strong characterization functional and morpho-typological, a concentration of urban and metropolitan-level functions, as well as a close connection to communication networks and to local context (from the technical norms of the General Plan).

The tower designed by Valle Architetti

This is an attempt to create, through new poles, a city less tied to its center, economic, political and cultural, then more diversified and better distributed in the territory.

The story of Bufalotta, now better known as Porta di Roma (Door of Rome), is quite special because the construction has started before the approval of the new general plan, especially in the commercial part with the Ikea to take the lead, but the public transport network, as well as the functions different from trade and residence, which should characterize the centrality, are late and slow to arrive.

General view of the new settlement

The urban plan is there, it seems to be respected and comes from the PRG (the general plan of the city); it is an operation falling within the legality, “daughter” of urban planning and it also includes an urban green park rather large, called Parco delle Sabine of 150 hectares, which represents a good compromise for the livability of the neighborhood.
Almost all the residences have a very large view overlooking the park that surrounds them.
Besides the fact that there is an urban project signed by a major firm, Valle Architetti Associati of Udine, we must add that the quality of architectural complex, especially in the shopping center (Valle), the tower (Valle) and in some residences (Studio Transit, Berarducci Architecture, Studio Figus), is definitely higher than the average level product in the city.

Housing designed by Studio Transit

Housing designed by Berarducci Architecture

Housing designed by Studio Figus

The large shopping center, as well as presenting a profile handled extremely successful with the color earth base to serve as support for higher volumes lined with lightweight and contemporary materials, has a pleasant site development and is characterized by an interesting architectural language. It provides as well beautiful light sockets from above. 

The road system is very "generous", all the sidewalks are paved and there are many bike paths (almost the same amount present in the northeast quadrant of the city)

Image from Google Maps

The positive considerations done can’t prevent however to observe how “untouchable” is the city and how difficult is to say: I am in a city, although in a suburban area not very dense.
Where is the city or the idea of the city? What is, if there’s, the idea behind this small town?
How do you reconcile the application of urban standards with the idea of the city?

Is it possible to build a city without renouncing to all the right achievements of modern urbanism, as the width of the streets, the gaps between the buildings, the light and the air?