Regeneration of the Imperial Fora Area in Rome
The new archaeological promenade
Design competition—sponsored by Roma Capitale—with a level of detail equivalent to that of a technical and economic feasibility study for the construction of “The New Archaeological Promenade” in the Imperial Forums area of Rome. Design competition with a level of detail equivalent to that of a technical and economic feasibility study for the construction of “The New Archaeological Promenade” in the Imperial Forums area of Rome.
The project entails the urban reconfiguration of the visitor route through the Imperial Fora, stretching from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum. Conceived in collaboration with Professor Faccio (IUAV), the design introduces greenery alongside the site’s monumental character and the adaptive reuse of the ruins as core elements.
The project for the New Archaeological Promenade of the Imperial Forums aims to enhance one of the most important historical and archaeological heritage sites in the world through a system of accessible, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces. The proposal goes beyond simple urban redevelopment, establishing a new relationship between archaeology, landscape, and the contemporary city, and shaping a continuous pathway capable of connecting places, historical evidence, and new modes of use.
Urban Design Guiding Principles
The project is based on a layered reading of the context, where the archaeological and urban dimensions are not considered in opposition but as interrelated systems. Archaeology thus becomes not only a constraint but also a design generator, guiding compositional, material, and spatial decisions. The city is interpreted as a superposition of historical layers, whose understanding enables the development of an urban design that makes continuities and discontinuities over time legible.
At the core of the proposal lies a unified concept of urban design structured around three key elements: nature, understood as a unifying element and an ecological re-composition device; legibility, intended as the construction of a coherent and orienting urban image; and monumental episodes, which punctuate the sequence and generate visual and spatial relationships. The promenade system develops along the axis of Via dei Fori Imperiali, articulated through transversal paths and viewpoints that enhance the perception of the archaeological landscape.
Masterplan, Mobility, and Public Space
The landscape design plays a central role, reinterpreting the relationship between nature and archaeology through the introduction of plant species consistent with the landscape of ancient Rome. Greenery becomes both a narrative tool and a spatial device, capable of revealing archaeological traces, defining spatial zones, and improving microclimatic conditions.
In parallel, environmental sustainability strategies are integrated through nature-based solutions such as sustainable drainage systems, water collection and reuse, and increased urban biodiversity.
Mobility represents another structuring element of the project, organized according to the principles of sustainable mobility and wayfinding.
The system prioritizes pedestrian and cycling movement, integrates public transport, and reduces the impact of private mobility.
Public space is reconfigured to promote intuitive orientation, continuity of paths, and quality of experience, establishing a direct relationship between spatial perception and movement.
The project adopts an innovative conservation approach based on the logic of “not erasing but adding”: contemporary interventions are juxtaposed with existing elements without imitation, preserving the legibility of historical stratification.
Restoration is therefore conceived as an interpretative process that clearly distinguishes new insertions while enhancing traces of the past through a continuous spatial narrative.
From an architectural standpoint, the intervention is composed of a series of punctual devices and integrated systems, including reversible installations along Via dei Fori Imperiali, transversal pedestrian routes, elevated walkways, and service hubs. The use of modular systems and reversible technologies reduces the impact on the archaeological context while ensuring flexibility and adaptability over time.
A significant role is assigned to the construction of the urban image through a coordinated system of materials, street furniture, and information devices that support orientation and storytelling.
The project integrates physical and digital elements, such as wayfinding systems and interactive tools, to create a personalized and accessible experience for different types of users.
Sustainability is addressed in an integrated manner, encompassing environmental, technical, and social dimensions.
The project aims to reduce environmental impact through the use of recycled materials,renewable energy strategies, and life cycle assessment methodologies. At the same time, it promotes inclusion, universal accessibility, and high-quality public space, placing the user experience at the center of the design process.
The New Archaeological Promenade represents an advanced urban design model capable of combining conservation and innovation, creating a continuous spatial system that restores centrality to historical heritage while reinterpreting it as an active component of the contemporary city.
