The Porticoes of Bologna

Brief synthesis The porticoes of Bologna are a selection of 12 porticoes that reflect the different architectural typologies found in the overall 62km of Bologna’s porticoed pathways, the largest porticoe system in the world. The 12 component parts enshrine the typologies, architectural features, urban and social functions that characterized the progressive enlargement of porticoed pathways, in both central and peripheral areas of the city, with the sustained renewal of a centuries old tradition launched with the 1288 Statute. The public portico, as a model of a particularly active social life at any time and in any climatic condition, is a very ancient model typology, an element adopted for centuries throughout the world. It finds in Bologna an exceptional and complete representation from the chronological, typological and functional point of view. It is an architectural model but also a social one, a place of integration and exchange, in which the main protagonists of the city (citizens, migrants and students) live and share time and ideas, relationships and thoughts. It is a reference point for a sustainable urban lifestyle, where civil and religious spaces and residences of all social classes are perfectly integrated: a place of continuous interchange of human values that permeates and shapes city life. This is the reason for which people who passed by Bologna over the centuries have appreciated and praised the portico, which is why the porticoed model was continuously exported elsewhere in Italy and Europe. The attributes that convey the Outstanding Universal Value of the property are: the complex of different porticoes typologies and their relationship with surrounding urban areas, the evolution of their form, design and materials, the public use of porticoes and their social function for a sustainable urban lifestyle, places of continuous interchange of human values, civil and religious, and the interconnections of the component parts with the wider porticoes system of covered walkways within the perimeter of the property. In Bologna the porticoes are the exceptional result of an urban planning regulatory framework. This regulatory framework has favoured the creation of an architectural typology that has developed in various peculiar ways in the city of Bologna over the course of nine centuries. The persistence of the legislation regulates the protection, conservation, use and management of the porticoes. Finally, these covered spaces, which still remain private property for public use, have developed social and community significance. For these characteristics, the community, but also the visitors, have recognized and still recognize today the porticoes as an identifying feature of the city. Criterion (iv): The series of Bologna’s porticoes represents in an exemplary manner an architectural typology of ancient origin and wide diffusion, never abandoned until today, but in continuous change through precise historical periods of the town’s transformation. The series was selected in the context of the wider porticoed system that permeates the old historical city. The property represents a variety of porticoed building typologies which characterized the houses of the working class, the aristocratic residences, the public and the religious buildings. Historical and contemporary construction employ a wide range of building materials, technologies and styles, as a result of the progressive city’s expansion and mutations since the 12th century. Integrity The 12 component parts of the serial property, as a whole, are representative of the wider portico network in the city, including all the attributes necessary to support its Outstanding Universal Value. The chronological integrity of the property lies in the continuity of construction and maintenance of the porticoes in the city of Bologna from the 12th to the 21st century. The functional integrity of the various uses associated with the porticoes was maintained even considering the transformations and developments of the city over the centuries. The structural integrity is regularly monitored, both from the morphological and architectural point of view. The characteristics of the property's original construction are clearly identifiable, although they have undergone restoration or reconstruction over the centuries. The Italian legislation framework, made up of national, regional and local protective designation, contributes to the correct conservation and enhancement of the porticoes, sometimes as separate elements, sometimes as a portion of a larger whole, also contributing to the maintenance of the visual integrity. There is no evidence of pressure that damages the integrity of the property. Authenticity Historical iconography, paintings, engravings, design drawings, as well as many vintage photographs illustrate each component part of the serial property, contributing knowledge of form and design, construction techniques, materials, sometimes even the name of the designers. This vast documentary heritage illustrates how Bologna has recurrently built new porticoed areas, according to the urban transformations that changed the city over time. The outstanding continuity of the portico tradition contributed to the selection of the component parts in the series, and explains how the features of each component contributes to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. The historical development of the porticoed system is perfectly legible in its 12 component parts. The actual layout and building materials of each component maintains the same characteristics of the original construction, and faithfully reflects the progressive stages of the city urban development. The regulations in force protect the authenticity of the property even where restoration works had to be implemented. The skilful use of durable materials, primarily stone, ensured the physical preservation over the centuries, and the extraordinary state of conservation of most of the selected porticoes. Bologna was one of the most bombed Italian cities during the Second World War. Therefore, in order to meet the requirements of authenticity, the selection of the 12 component parts had to feature the porticoes which were least affected by war damage. In the few cases when some damage occurred, the restoration has always carefully respected the principle or the restoration theory. Functional authenticity was always maintained. Thanks to the standard set in the legal Statute of 1288, the construction of porticoes and their function as privately owned public space, has been a constant of the city urban growth from the end of the 13th century until today. The porticoes are architectural elements that relate both to the surrounding public space and to the building they are part of. The public-private management system (private property, public use) has been maintained and implemented over the centuries. The authenticity of the spirit and feeling of the property materializes in the social life of porticoes as the sites where many activities defining the urban identity of the city take place. Protection and management requirements The property is completely protected by a protective designation at different levels. At national level, the Code for Cultural Heritage and Landscape regulates the protection of most buildings in the property as public heritage. This measure entails an essential duty of conservation and, as a safeguard measure, it binds all activities on the building to obtain the authorization of the Ministry of Culture local office. Some of the porticoes belonging to the selected component parts have been identified by the Code as areas of “notable public interest from the landscape point of view. The Regional Law no. 24/2017 governs the historic centre in accordance with some core principles. These principles forbid any modification to the road system, the open spaces and the historical buildings, and they require the preservation of the uses. Locally, the level of protection is very high, thanks to planning and protection measures at municipal level. In fact, nowadays, and since the 1288 Statute, the maintenance and management of the property remain under the responsibility of the individual owners of the porticoed buildings, while the municipality sets the rules for construction, access and decoration, to protect the urban quality and the collective usability of these spaces. The Steering Committee coordinated by the Municipality of Bologna manages the property's governance system. It includes the main bodies and parties responsible for the management, protection and enhancement of the property. These bodies signed a specific Memorandum of Understanding, jointly prepared the property management plan, and are responsible for its implementation, monitoring and updating. The Municipality of Bologna has also set up a dedicated office, Portici Patrimonio Mondiale, which deals, from the technical-operational point of view and in coordination with the Steering Committee, with the issues closely related to the management, enhancement, protection of the property, and of all the porticoes in the city. The Municipality has prepared guidelines “Porticoes. Instruction for care and use that regulate the usage of any accessory elements of the porticoes, therefore maintaining their visual integrity and authenticity.