1999

THREE SQUARES

road axis formed between Piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri - Castello dell' Imperatore - Piazza San Marco - Piazza della Stazione - Prato

The project dealt with the city of Prato's road system and the reorganization of its functions in the area between Piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri and Piazza della Stazione. The plan of works aimed at offering an alternative model to the current traffic system in order to redefine the mobility pattern.

The aim was to restore this part of the city's surface area to pedestrians, bicyclists and public transit by moderating – via some specific interventions-- automobile circulation. Such a policy would help redefine the city and reclaim some of its formal qualities as well as it historical identity.

First of all the model proposed for private transit separated the network of main urban throughways from local traffic. A hierarchy of differentiated flows and speed control would guarantee a continuous and moderate circulation.

The project also foresaw a strengthening of more efficient public transit (buses and taxis) via the realization of preferential traffic lanes.

Pedestrian areas would also be extended near the historical center of town, safeguarding the use and livability of public spaces and the integrity of several important historical monuments, especially Santa Maria delle Carceri. The most discordant factors (pollution, pedestrian dangers, vibrations, noise) were to be eleminated without damaging the general mobility.

The project aimed at re-defining the space of the city square with regards to Santa Maria's churchyard and, at the same time, re-integrating the Swabian Castle into the urban fabric, revealing the alignments that are at the basis of its creation.

The planimetric system of grid squares, oriented according to the city's axis of Roman centuriation, was adopted.

Via the woven pattern of the square's pavement a direct connection was made between the Castle walls, the Church and the three outlying squares in a series of variously designed pedestrian spaces.

The grid was meant to emphasize the rotation between the Church of Santa Maria delle Carceri  built by Giuliano da San Gallo and the pre-existing Swabian Castle.

The project has not been realized.