LAUMarch's winning proposal focuses on an integrated approach that improves the socio-ecological connections between the local community and the river.

The team approached the project with an analytical process, including experience and analysis. In the first phase, through on-site visits and discussions with the neighbourhood committee,  'La Voce di Porta Portese', which has been actively working in the municipality for years. The team also analysed public services, green areas and public transport and road network, as well as the area’s cultural heritage.

The thorough analysis enabled the team to land on the approach of enhancing urban morphology, strengthening characterising functional identities(with reference to cultural functions e.g. entertainment, tourism & leisure) and prioritising sustainable mobility (upgrading routes, and improving cycle and pedestrian paths boosting river walkability).

See the documentation tab to view LAUMarch's winning proposal, as well as a list of all the fantastic teams that participated

Special Mention | Team HFOUR

Team members: Kayla Hart, Aubrey Hardcastle, Olivia Harris & Nathan Himmelsbach - the University of Arkansas

Highly Commended | Team Nojantri 

Team members: Ramon ElÌas Ferrerons, MarÌa ForniÈs Campos Pere Marieges Soucheiron, Manuel MartÌn Gallardo and Mireya Tejerina Ramon - Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Key Components of the Proposal include: 

• A micro-urban forestation park on the site including an 'adopt a tree' project.
• Pedestrianising areas, opening new walkways and expanding the cycling network 
• Redeveloping historical and industrial buildings, whilst using low-carbon materials

• The jury that nominated LAUMarch as winners were: 
• Arch. Enrica De Paulis (Roma Capitale)
• Arch. Carlo Gasparrini (Esperto in pianificazione)
• Arch. Riccardo Petrachi (Esperto in progettazione urbana)
• Dott. Thomas Maltese (Referente C40)
• Arch. Filippo Salucci (Direttore struttura di progettazione dell’agenzia del demanio)
• Arch. Annarita Carotenuto (Roma Capitale)
• Ing. Manuela Lasio (Roma Capitale

Presentation of the site:

Located in the heart of the city behind the Aurelian Walls, the site encompasses the Tevere River and its banks from Ponte Sublicio in the north to the railway bridge of San Paolo in the south.The river, once a vital and structural element of the city, progressively lost this role, due to the construction of the 'muraglioni' (city walls) at the end of the 19th Century. This ruptured the functional and symbolic relations between Rome and the Tevere River, exacerbated in the 20th Century by changing socio-economic conditions that affected the way people moved around the city.

Nowadays, the right bank of the Tevere River (that comes to life alive on Sundays with the historic Porta Portese market)  is almost completely covered by derelict ruins and relics, which create an impenetrable barrier to the river. The left bank, which borders the Testaccio neighbourhood and the Mattatoio (the city's old abattoir, which is now a cultural heritage site) is excluded from the liveliness and vitality that the Mattatoio brings to the area. The vast road network of the Testaccio riverside further emphasises the gap between the built-up region and the river.

In spite of this, the Tevere River and its banks still preserve a remarkable environmental, historical and cultural heritage that deserves to be showcased to citizens. This is achievable through a project that combines creating high-quality public spaces with improving neighbourhood sustainability and resilience, particularly in response to changing socioeconomic and climatic conditions.

Key information:

The area is densely populated (17,822 inhabitants/km2) and restoration efforts have been insufficient.  The elderly make up 27.6% of the total population, whilst the number of foreigners has grown in the last 10 years, in line with municipal growth (11.6%).

Priority areas & main expectations:

Proposals should focus on:

• Regaining green spaces along the river in continuity with the Tiber River Park;
• Promoting new activities for neighbourhood services, also in public buildings beyond the intervention area, related to leisure activities with NZEB buildings;
• Improving accessibility to the banks and upgrading historical and environmental elements