Young Architects Reinterpret NYC’s High Line Park in Roman Outskirts

World-renowned architect Renzo Piano dedicated his office, considerable parliamentary salary and power as honorary Senator-For-Life to better Italian city peripheries, communities and architecture students. The group of young architects, named G124 after the number of Piano’s Senate office in Palazzo Giustiniani, strives to improve city outskirts.

“The periphery is always accompanied by an adjective that is negative. But the truth is the energy is there; the desire for change is there. There is always, even in the most difficult periphery, something good, and that is what you have to find, to bring up.” said Piano.

Their chief project has been transforming an unfinished elevated track in neighborhoods Serpentara and Vigne Nuove into usable community space. The track was originally part of a 12 mile tram line but had become a local garbage dump after the project went unfinished in the mid-1990s. This project is inspired by New York City’s High Line park, which is built on an unused elevated tram line above the streets of Manhattan’s Lower West Side.

“When you walk 25-30 feet above ground, it is a miracle, because you are still in the city…but you are flying above the city. You are in the middle of trees, and that is a moment of beauty.” said Piano about the project.

Pedestrians and cyclists will use the converted elevated pathway to travel between the two green spaces: Parco Talenti and Parco delle Sabine. The new park created from recycled materials, such as shipping containers, will be used for concerts, workshops and art installations. The empty viaduct will transform into an upside-down High Line with the park running beneath the tram line.

The park’s completion date is unknown – G124 is waiting for City Hall to approve the estimated $600,000-$700,000 needed to complete the project and revamp the Roman outskirts.

-Amanda Sztein