Layering- an open way to new forest design

The concept of layering is quite familiar in the contemporary landscape project. Its interpretation is aimed at understanding the different layers, historically identifiable, of a territory’s evolution from different points of view, showing the role of the environmental resources in the different ages… It also implies a project related to the present. Trough our experiences we understood the fertility of a forest project based on these constituent elements: a. The consideration of one or more layers related to local historical & environmental evolution b. The choice of plants with high ecological efficiency c. The dialogue with local communities to interpret specific collective meanings of new, or ancient, forests. Rome - field of application for the current researches - We experimented the importance of these same concepts in some recent researches focused on Rome’s territory. - We are promoting new urban forests within many researches dedicated to the urbanized territories of Rome beyond the GRA (great anular ring road), where the problems of a contemporary metropolis are inseparable from the protection and development of the wonderful ancient Roman countryside. - We are promoting the project of new woods in Rome like a multi-disciplinary project, trying to prevent the eternal conflict between different public sectors of local administration (particularly between historical-archeological, environmental and infrastructures sectors) and trying to find out performative solutions from the different point of view. - And finally we are trying to activate a dialogue with the local communities to understand from within needs and possibilities to develop new green activities, and consequently new green economies.