Exploratory Study in Mandrione
When initially assigned to study the Mandrione area, the team had a difficult time figuring out what to focus on. As they spent time in the area they realized that Mandrione might not be a neighborhood anymore, but rather an isolated road with few remnants of its initial historic character. However with the help of team professors and student aides they were able to locate three areas near to Via del Mandrione which retained some connection to the historic aqueduct, and if not to the aqueduct itself, then to the Borgata style developments which once existed along the road.
Although Via del Mandrione was stripped of its informal settlements, small pockets of informal neighborhoods still remain. In a more modern neighborhood known as “Marrana”, just north of the Bank of Italy, a small stretch of the aqueduct is built up with informal structures. Additionally, to the south of the bank sits a small area trapped between Via Tuscolana, Via Porta Furba and Via del Mandrione known as “Porta Furba” with informal settlements as well. The presence of the Arco di Travertino metro stop, completed in the 1980s, appears to have had a dramatic impact on the development of this area and the “Porta Furba” area appears to be a small island in a sea of modern development. Additionally, on the western side of the railroad tracks near Via Tor Pignattara is a small neighborhood known as “Vigne” which is also composed of a variety of self-built structures. While settlements along the Via del Mandrione have virtually vanished, a few remaining neighborhoods in its vicinity still retain this unique form.
Read the complete study here.
