The Architecture of a Motorway

The A22 motorway and the history of its project and construction constitute a unique case within the implementation of the Italian motorway network after WWII, mainly due to the exceptional contribution of landscape architect Pietro Porcinai. Complementary narratives have unfolded around the A22, concerning the policies and practices that affected its implementation, the architectural debate surrounding its design and construction and its structural transformations over time. Starting from this peculiar history, and from the study of the current and expected evolution of the motorway, this research investigates the obsolescence of modern infrastructure and the possible strategies of maintenance and preservation.