The past
The first navigable canal planned to connect Pavia, and Milan dates back to the Visconti age. The Visconti family inaugurated the digging.
In June 1819 a new navigable canal was started, called Naviglio Pavese, aiming at the fulfilment of the network of the water basins in Lombardy.
The dream finally was coming true: the sea would be reachable through the Naviglio in Pavia and the Po river.
From that time a golden age started, during which a vast number of barges crossed the Naviglio.
When it came to the railway, a significant decrease in the carrying of goods showed up, but the traffic of barges did not stop.
Then the motor vehicles came, and all the Lombardian canals took the last downturn.
The Naviglio Pavese was declared a watering reservoir in 1985.
Today, it looks neglected and wholly forgotten; the water is murky, the banks are dirty, and badly in need of repair, in spite of the lovely view you can still enjoy.
Even though the sailing cannot be re-established because of the numerous flat bridges, the “Martesana Project” represents a new suggestion to reclaim the charm and the beauty of the system of the canals.
The project
The following examples of the redevelopment of the right bank of the "Naviglio Pavese", near Borgo Calvenzano, are the outcome of a "PON Project", about the local heritage promotion.
Today, the right bank of the canal has neither a specific urban destination nor architectonical qualification: it is a small green area, beside one of the busiest roundabouts in Pavia.
Firstly, students have been tracing the history of the canal and of the most relevant and ancient neighbouring buildings.
Secondly, they have been planning unconventional, thought-provoking and genuine solutions, in order to change a featureless location into a meaningful place.
Here are the drawings.
AMODIO
ANDONIE
BERNUZZI-SORDELLI
CHILOIRO-RAGUSO
GHISLANDI
LORUSSO
MARCHESI
POZZOLI
SANTOS
SCORBATI
