Buzzers Navy – Perissi Federica

Master's thesis in landscape architectural design

"DNA Linear park: Design of the linear park along the FM-3 railway line from Balduina to San Pietro"

Thesis by Cicalini Marina and Perissi Federica
E mail: marina.cicalini@gmail.com / federicaperissi.perissi@gmail.com
Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture - Faculty of Architecture Valle Giulia - Sapienza University of Rome
Speaker: Prof. Arch. Achille Maria Ippolito
Academic Year 2015 - 2016

THESIS REPORT: Marina Cicalini - Federica Perissi

The analysis area extends in the western quadrant of Rome, crossing three municipalities, XII, XIII and XIV respectively, involving the districts of Medaglie d'oro, Pineto, Aurelio nord, Aurelio sud and Villa Pamphili with an extension of approximately 1500 ha.

In particular, we will focus our design research in a much smaller area, along the Rome-Viterbo railway (FM-3) from Balduina station to San Pietro station.

Our area is located on a very large surface area which includes: elements of historical-cultural and tourist interest such as the system of forts and the entrenched camp, as well as an environmental system of considerable importance composed of three green lungs (the Pineto park, the Villa Pamphili park and the Insugherata park) and a series of small "green cells", such as the Monte Ciocci park, which due to a lack of transversal connections, are separated from the entire system.

The identification of the different types of relationships that exist between the railway and the urban and environmental context that surrounds it, has given rise to a project proposal that aimed at the creation of a linear park that will become a green artery with transversal axes that fit into the urban area, creating a connection that is not only perceptive, but also ecological through an alternating system of arboreal, shrubby and herbaceous vegetation. In the park, the intervention will aim to create a connection between parks, the removal of invasive species to restore native vegetation and the reconfiguration and consolidation through naturalistic engineering.

The first phase of the project, the one that concerns the Balduina neighborhood, includes interventions that aim to redevelop the area, designing all those areas previously identified as urban voids and potentially useful, as they are converted into new places of the urban community and systematized with the transversal axes guaranteeing a connection from West to East with our linear park, but also with all the accesses to the Pineto park.

Based on our DNA concept we were guided in the design of the project drawing, which through the use of its filaments, molecules and structure allowed the creation of functions and elements of urban furniture that led to the transformation of an element that was previously monotonous and isolated, to a real linear park capable of linking and connecting all the systems in a single integrated system.

Unlike the urban area of Balduina which is a redevelopment of the existing section, the area from Monte Ciocci to San Pietro involves a reconfiguration and new design for the continuation of the cycle-pedestrian path. The Monte Ciocci area will have a different approach based on the one hand on the renaturalization and consolidation of the slope through the use of naturalistic engineering techniques and the use of ornamental vegetation alternating with scrub and garrigue. On the other hand, the cycle-pedestrian path becomes the backbone along which a series of recreational-sports areas and activities and projects also shared with the agricultural sector will alternate, intercepting two poles that will be designed as lookout points that allow a 360° view. Finally, the continuation of the track will take place by exploiting the ancient Valle Aurelia viaduct, entering inside the Villa Alberici tunnel and exiting near a strategic location from an urban perspective that allows a direct connection with the Gelsomino viaduct and therefore with the San Pietro station.

Imagining to travel the area from north to south, the Balduina station has been completely redeveloped giving a strong importance to the access that through a game of printed concrete flooring, in agreement with the promenade, becomes a real belvedere that allows me to observe a long stretch of the park from above. For the main purpose of creating a connection and integration between the pedestrian walkway and the cycle path, the DNA design will take on an important role. Its curvilinear shape will overlap the cycle path continuing laterally creating a unique design and together with the filaments it will create a game of flooring that will also direct users towards the functional spaces.
From the DNA design, the functional components of the promenade will come to life in elevation, in particular pergolas with different colors and structural compositions, such as buffered structures or perforated with vegetation, will make the underlying functions identifiable even from a distance, which will take on the same color as the pergolas. Even the DNA molecules will take shape through a design that reproduces the plant species used seen under the microscope, on which a series of interactive structures, the “Expo i touch” will be arranged, providing information about the route, the functions present in the park, the nearest public transport as well as brief information on the history of the place. On the design of the filaments, various portals will come to life in elevation and will provide information relating to the kilometers traveled and the neighboring functions.

The information regarding the routes and the positioning of the user in relation to the linear park will be repeated throughout the park in different forms. In particular, this area of the promenade will be dedicated to the city market, moving collective life inside the promenade through temporary structures. Furthermore, the marginal vegetation will play an important role, following the DNA design, consisting of an alternation of shrubby and herbaceous vegetation with artificial hills alternating with urban gardens. The edge of the greenery will be highlighted by a series of seats in wood cladding and perforated aluminum foil, creating direct contact between vegetation and user.
Continuing our journey, we can see how DNA will take on different forms and functions, gradually blending in with nature. Furthermore, an alternating system of flower boxes of different heights, pergolas with seats and the introduction of the water element through modular walls will allow us to create a permeable and discontinuous margin in which we will finally have the perception from the inside to the outside and vice versa. The system will then be interrupted voluntarily near the intersection with the transversal axis, in order to make the user stop and divert his attention to inform him of the presence of the neighboring parks, an action that is underlined by the presence of perforated corten steel totems with the QR code system and a sundial. This interruption causes a disturbance that expands and encompasses the entire urban axis, transforming a residual and abandoned place into a new place of the urban collective capable of connecting the equipped urban axis, the linear park and the Pineto park in a single system.

Continuing our walk inside the Monte Ciocci park, the cycle path will pass over the historic viaduct which will be redeveloped, transforming it into a narrative and interactive walk that retraces the history of the railway on which it passed, through a division into temporal areas and the combined use of interactive elements, vegetation and components aimed at inspiring scenarios creating evocative landscapes. The same DNA design will evolve over time and will be composed of all its elements until it rises from the ground forming a recognizable landmark that identifies the access to the viaduct. The changes in paving will make the rest areas easily identifiable also for cyclists who, thanks to the filaments, will decrease their speed. In fact, the DNA filaments will design paving on the pedestrian area but will also become speed bumps or elements to collect energy that will then be reused. The use of mobile and light but resistant components formed in composites will allow you to choose the side of the view and the rest.

The access to the viaduct will be at a height of 58 m, that is, at a height of 5 m lower than the street level. For this reason, a bicycle lift has been set up, while a lift is available for disabled people. Our main route then continues inside the park, taking us directly to a junction where you can choose whether to go towards the belvedere or continue towards the sports area, passing through an area dedicated to participatory projects between citizens and the agricultural institute located opposite. This area will in fact be dedicated to experimental cultivation where you can taste the products and sell them at the 0 km market. The eastern belvedere is an important overlook towards Rome that aims to enhance not only the 180° views but also the Landmarks present through perspective games.
The outermost view will consist of information areas that reflect the history of the park and the surrounding areas, therefore 3 areas will be created that will refer to the transformations of the territory over the years. Continuing towards San Pietro we find ourselves at the point of ascent from the underground gallery located in a private railway parking lot. The project involves the transformation of part of the parking lot by using it as an equipped square that not only makes the presence and connection with the underground route perceived but that also places itself in continuity with the urban axis becoming part of a single pedestrian system. The square will be characterized by a central depression exactly superimposed on the underground path in which herbaceous vegetation of the officinal type and skylights are arranged that allow users of the gallery to perceive the end of the underground path and to enjoy the natural light and at the same time stimulate the curiosity of those in the square who can observe the path from above. The ascent point will be marked by a pergola with a geometry inspired by the composition of DNA molecules with a steel and glass structure and the DNA sign that crosses the square will create spaces and recreational functions, bike sharing and refreshment service.

The axis of Via Niccolò V takes on an important role becoming a connecting element between the square and the Gelsomino viaduct, therefore the project includes the transformation of the driveway area into zone 30 through a pavement that recalls the historical pavement. The vegetation is represented by an alternation of small trees, rain gardens and flower boxes that, positioned at the edges of the road, divide the pedestrian area from the driveway area, creating a lively landscape with plant planes at different heights, taking on a functional as well as ornamental and ecological connection value. The important vegetation and pavement system will orient the user in the journey and will define functions and rest areas, accompanying the user towards the terminal junction that will become a transit area where it will be possible to choose whether to continue towards the Gelsomino viaduct by accessing the square in front of the entrance to the Vatican railway, thus arriving directly at the San Pietro station.