Ecology of urban decay. Unintentional landscapes of enhanced biodiversity in Rome

Flavio Martella and Maria Vittoria Tesei

City, 2024, vol. 28, issue 5-6, 748-769

Abstract: This research explores the relationship between urban environments and unintentional landscapes in Rome, emphasizing the significance of spontaneous nature within the city’s cultural narrative. To do so, it empirically hypothesizes that the temporal dimension, considering the historical context, plays a crucial role in shaping public acceptance and legitimization of these landscapes. By drawing on urban ecology experiences from Central Europe, the research aims to provide a modern interpretation of unintentional landscapes as valuable urban planning tools for Rome. Rome has many gardens, parks, and villas, but it also has a unique relationship with spontaneous nature, a phenomenon that is deeply rooted in the cultural narrative. It is visible in a number of historical engravings, paintings, and academic studies, which illustrate the intricate interactions between urban neglect and the unintentional landscapes. These landscapes contribute to a diffuse and heterogeneous natural fabric that enhances the ecological potential of today’s existing green spaces. The paper posits that, over time, spontaneous nature has blurred the boundaries between the natural and built environments, fostering a paradigm of coexistence that promotes a more-than-human city.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1080/13604813.2024.2419797

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