Landscape and Urban Planning 76 (2006) 98–111 Greenways planning in Italy: the Lambro River Valley Greenways System Alessandro Toccolini∗, Natalia Fumagalli, Giulio Senes Institute of Agricultural Engineering, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy Available online 11 November 2004 Abstract The greenways movement in Europe developed differently to its counterpart in the USA, influenced by geographical, economic and cultural differences as well as differences in social and urban development. Europe has seen a discontinuous and fragmented process, diversified in the various countries. The explosion of the greenway concept in Europe is a very recent phenomenon: the European Greenways Association and the Italian Greenways Association both date back only as far as 1998. Clearly, before this date the European countries did see a degree of activity both cultural and operational, but it is equally clear that there was a lack of commonality. Specifically, greenway planning in Italy while on the one hand work has been underway on green trails for many years, on the other there is a clear lack of methodology that allows for the planning of a broader network. This paper has two objectives; firstly to define a methodology useful for greenways planning in Italy at regional level, and secondly, to demonstrate the application of this methodology to a case study. The methodology adopted derives from an approach to planning inspired principally by the work of Ian McHarg and Julius Fabos and already applied by the authors to protected areas in Italy. The methodology is structured in four phases: analysis of the landscape resources, the existing green trail and historical route networks; assessment of each element; composite assessment; and definition of the Greenways Plan. A case study for the Lambro River Valley Park is used to illustrate the methodology proposed. The park comprises the municipalities situated along the Lambro River to the north of Milan. This is densely inhabited land and features multiple human activities located within a context conserving residual elements of naturalistic, landscape and historical–cultural interest. The application of the methodology to the Lambro River Valley Park allowed the development of a greenways network incorporating the existing network of green trails: 80% of the network is, in fact, already in place. The methodology also proved to be useful in the definition of a network dedicated to non-motorized traffic capable of connecting the numerous urban centres with the many resources present in the area. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Greenway planning; Methodology; Italy ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +39 02 5031 68 60; fax: +39 02 5031 68 45. E-mail addresses: [email protected] (A. Toccolini), [email protected] (N. Fumagalli), [email protected] (G. Senes). 0169-2046/$ – see front matter © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.09.038 A. Toccolini et al. / Landscape and Urban Planning 76 (2006) 98–111 99 1. Introduction European countries did see a degree of activity both cultural and operational (composed of one-off initia- The greenways international movement (Fabos and tives and projects), but it is equally clear that there was Ahern, 1996) is now spreading through Italy and the a lack of commonality; that is to say, an awareness rest of Europe, as well as the United States. However, of being part of a larger international movement (both differences remain with regard to the American and European and global). European interpretations of the concept (Senes, 2004), Hence expressions such as v´ıas verdes, percorsi a fact that needs to be borne in mind for a better under- verdi, voies vertes, voies lentes, voies douces, green standing of the Italian situation. axes, green corridors, and so on, are some of the many In agreement with Fabos, greenways can be di- terms which, throughout Europe, are used to describe vided into three major categories: ecological green- transport routes dedicated to light non-motorised traffic ways, recreational greenways and greenways with his- (European Greenways Association, 2000). torical/cultural value (Fabos, 2004). Some greenways In contrast with the situation in the USA, in Europe include trails while others do not (Erickson, 2004; the accent has been placed on the individual infrastruc- Smith and Hellmund, 1993). ture, which, in order to be defined as a “greenway”, Many planners and scientists (Fabos, 2004; Little, has to present modest gradients, be physically sepa- 1990) consider the American landscape architect Fred- rated from the ordinary road network and be accessible erick Law Olmsted (late 19th century) as the founder to the greatest number of potential users. of the greenways movement. The Olmsted parkways Greenways are “communication routes reserved ex- were inspired by the European boulevards (Pettena, clusively for non-motorised journeys (by foot, bike, 1996; European Greenways Association, 2000), espe- horse, and so on) developed in an integrated manner cially by the French examples such as those realized which enhances both the environment and quality of by Baron Haussman in the mid-nineteenth century in life of the surrounding area. These routes should meet Paris (Senes, 2004; Pezzagno, 2002). The Englishman, satisfactory standards of width, gradient, and surface Ebenezer Howard, the creator of the greenbelt concept condition to ensure that they are both user-friendly (Howard, 1902), also made a significant contribution. and low-risk for users of all abilities (Lille Decla- Despite shared roots, the greenways movement in ration, 2000). For the Italian Greenways Association Europe developed differently to its counterpart in the greenways are “system of routes, good from the en- USA, influenced by geographical, economic and cul- vironmental point of view and dedicated to a non- tural differences as well as differences in social and ur- motorized traffic, connecting people with landscape ban development. Europe has seen a discontinuous and resources (natural, historical, cultural, etc.) and the fragmented process, diversified in the various coun- ‘centers of life’ (e.g. public offices, sport and recre- tries. This process, that started out from the French ational facilities, etc.), both in the urban areas and boulevards, and developed by way of the British green- in the countryside” (Associazione Italiana Greenways, belts, has in recent years required the direct influence 1999). of the United States in order for it to be revived and Greenways are developed along past or disused acquire greater awareness of its cultural roots (Senes, communication routes like abandoned railways, tow- 2004). paths, and so on, and can be integrated with minor rural The explosion of the greenway concept in Europe roads, quite roads, and so on. (or rather its return to the limelight) is, in fact, a very In this sense, another key to the success of the green- recent phenomenon. The European Greenways Associ- ways is that, in general, they involve the salvaging of ation and the Italian Greenways Association1 both date existing structures rather than the construction of some- back only as far as 1998. Clearly, before this date the thing new. Nowadays, the greenway phenomenon exists under various guises. Beyond their aesthetic and leisure 1 The Italian Greenways Association was founded in the wake of a Conference organized at the University of Milan’s Faculty of Agri- functions, greenways have various different aims culture and moderated by Professor Julius Fabos of the University related not just to protecting the environment but also of Massachusetts. concerned with education, preserving historical and 100 A. Toccolini et al. / Landscape and Urban Planning 76 (2006) 98–111 cultural heritage, public health and so on. European (1969) and Fabos et al. (1978) and already applied countries are developing greenways according to their by the authors to protected areas in Italy (Senes and geographic, urban, economic and cultural peculiar- Toccolini, 1998). The methodology (Fig. 1) is struc- ities. It is only very recently that the concept of a tured in four phases: transnational greenway network (REVER/AMNO, • Phase 1: analysis of the landscape resources, the ex- 1999, www.aevv-egwa.org/english/rever/rever.htm; isting green trail and historical route networks; REVER/MED, 2004, www.revermed.com) has begun • Phase 2: assessment of each element; to catch the imagination of the public authorities: “... • Phase 3: composite assessment; allow us to look forward to a real greenway network • Phase 4: definition of the Greenways Plan. throughout Europe” (Margot Wallstrom—European¨ Commissioner for Environment, 2000). 2.1. The analysis of the landscape resources, the During the Lille meeting (France, 2000), more than existing green trail and historical route networks 200 experts and greenway managers and representa- tives from throughout Europe declared to wish to see It is useful in that it identifies both the resources the development of a European Greenway Network to be connected and the existing system of routes. reserved for non-motorised users, comprising for the Throughout much of Italy, in fact, there already ex- most part, greenways and, to a lesser extent, lightly ists a widespread system of trails and rural roads and trafficked, low-speed roads. This network would pro- the definition of a system of greenways inevitably vide continuous long distance itineraries as well as involves the valorisation of the