The Ricardo Bofill’s Proposal for the Waterfront Revitalization of Salerno (Italy)

Abstract

This paper reflects on the proposals elaborated by the Ricardo Bofill Taller de Arquitectura for the waterfront revitalization of the Italian city of Salerno in the attempt to replicate two of his architectural projects, i.e. the crescent- and sail-shaped buildings. By the review of planning documentations and the scientific and non-scientific literature, this work highlights the reasons that eventually led to the building of the Crescent and the failed implementation of the Sail. The case study analysis provides new insights on the role of star-architecture in triggering waterfront revitalization in a second-tier city following the tendency of public authorities to translate ideas and approaches from other international cities. In particular, this work demonstrates that the elaboration of spectacular projects designed by international architectural firms cannot be automatically adapt successful projects implemented in other contexts, but needs assemblage with the local urban, social, and environmental facets. Furthermore, it is observed that the success or failure of these kinds of projects might be attributable not to the mere transposition of identical schemes and the political legitimization, but also from the inadequate implementation of architectural and urban design that face thus criticism by the public opinion.