PLANS FOR NEW ROME

Taranaki Daily News, 6 June 1930, Page 11

PLANS FOR NEW ROME

MUSSOLINI’S COMMISSION. A. GREAT CONTROVERSY. With an eye'to the.future development of Rome, a commission for town planning has .been appointed by Signor Mussolini, In nn address to the members, the Duce told the assembled architects that in 1950 Rome would have 2,000,000 inhabitants and probably 350,000 motor-cars. The city must have new parks, baths and. open squares, and more communications with the sea must be. opened up. He gave the commission six months in which to draw up a new plan of Rome, after which the Government would resci-vo the right to make its decisions. Ancient and mediaeval Rome were to be respected because “they were of the createst significance and had a high economic value, as they brought hundreds of thousands of visitors from abroad.” The Duce added that by revealing ancient monuments the Seven Hills of Rome would once again be recognised after having been “smothered in the chaotic construction of the last centuries.”

The whole problem of "New Rome” has been recently the subject of great and often bitter controversy, because of the devotion to the Imperial monuments shown by Fascist town planners. Mediaeval houses have been somewhat ruthlessly pulled down to reveal th©- Boman markets or theatres, and especially round the Capitol Hill the pulling down has been done eo rapidly that a number of line perspectives have been completely lost. The new commission may yet save this hill and the squares round it from complete spoliation, but its work bristles with difficulties. There is general belief that at least for six mouths, while Its labours are in progress, further demolition will be suspended. \nd not a few lovers of Rome hope that the idea of revealing th© Seven Hills will eventually be given up, for such a scheme would involve the sacrifice of some of the m'ost cnaracterietie mediaeval streets and palaces, whose charm is increased by their near* hese to the ruins of ancient Rome*