Archaeology and nature: hyblean cultural landscape and territorial ...

Pic. 1 and 2 Fourth bridge on the “Canal Grande” in Venice (2008) and new junction in Padua near the motorway exit
“Padova Est” (2008)
be the place where you live, eat, sleep, work, that is the place where different human relationships happen.
(It is necessary to point out that the subject of the place has been examined by the anthropologist Marc Augé
who talked about the Non-Places, giving a representation of many infrastructures; though this is not part of
this essay, it is important for the consideration of the meaning of the context). So far said, when the road
infrastructure is in its context, shows itself through its shape, it becomes the carrier of a function (means of
transport) and of a meaning (the way to reach a place or clear an obstruction either natural or artificial). At
the same time, it can give the opportunity to enjoy a view or to go across, probably with some distaste, a
degrading urban site. The working of the function, shapes, and the meaning of the road infrastructure plan
means to interact with the shapes, functions, and meanings of the area. Should such plan be properly done,
it can create added value, emphasizing the conceptual quality. The infrastructures are usually associated to
their use (means of transport) though the “shape” and “meaning” are often left aside, with the consequence
of a degrading of the urban site. Thus the conceptual quality, seen as a value added, is characterised by the
increasing of the function and the meaning. According to this opinion, it stands to reason that relational,
identical and symbolic factors come into play and even though they seem intangible, they are necessary in
order to have a planning awareness. In terms of shape, function, and meaning, it can be affirmed that the
added value occurs when one or more of these factors are deepened and go beyond the plan’s main
purpose, which is generally connected with the utility idea. In other words, each time a road infrastructure
shape doesn’t follow only functional needs, but also the meaning of the plan in a territory, then you can find
the perfect circumstances to have a value added. At the same time, the creation of added value happens
when, besides the function of the plan, there are other factors which add more levels of functions to the plan,
such as the way to use it. If the purpose of the road infrastructure is a technical-performing one, it is when
the shape, the utility and the meaning both of the plan and the context are taken into consideration that we
can have a double level of added value: the interpretation of solving a transport problem and the
interpretation of an urban site lived by the users.
2. An example of reading according to shape, function and meaning: the bridge on Taglio
channel in Mira (Venice)
1) Description of the intervention reason
The “Passante of Mestre” is an infrastructural work which totals app. 32 Km and has seen the realisation of
numerous bridges, overpasses and underpasses. One of the necessary bridges to guarantee the road
continuity is the crossing of Taglio Channel.
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