The Mediterranean: a sea of ports
Stefania Russo
The Mediterranean: a sea of ports.
Rel. Carlo Alberto Barbieri, Riccardo Bedrone. Politecnico di Torino, Master of science program in Territorial, Urban, Environmental And Landscape Planning, 2013
Abstract
Sometimes the sea is a great resource for the city on which to trigger a mechanism of self-generating development, other times by chance that gain an advantageous position, and still others a geographical accident in which you prefer to turn their backs.
“The Mediterranean: “Le Gran Blue”, “The Phoenician Lake”, “The Middle Sea”. That which is now presented us as thè stage of thè great clash of civilizations, was described by thè Greeks as providing contacts, crossovers, exchanges of goods, of languages, of opinions and voices. An inland sea offering communication and not division between thè various interrelated peoples, and thè setting for forms of mutual and long-lasting benefict, of weddings and hospitality: polyphonic in thè number and complexity of sounds and situations. The non- homogeneous phenomenon (unity within diversity), dates back to thè Middle Ages, and before that to Greek time.” (Zanfi, 2006)
A reflection on thè policies of redevelopment of thè port cities can not fail to take place thè thoughtlessness with which thè city-port compared: thè sea. In this case, thè specific focus is on thè Mediterranean Sea, a place of exchange for excellence. The harbor has always been thè gateway to a city, thè entrance to an area with its own characteristics and cultural identity.
The Mediterranean is often seen as a space for exchange and relations and common cultural matrix, is perceived as a framework for interaction and synergies between different peoples and nations, an especially strategie objective for rebalancing a Continental. Despite thè many national and community purposes, on thè Mediterranean dimension seems to be struggling to establish itself and become an effective framework for national and regional policies. There is not yet an effective network, between countries and regions of thè Mediterranean, able to accomplish a specific strategy of horizontal alliance that offers thè opportunity for development and enhancement of these Mediterranean regions isolated from each other.
The role of ports in thè Mediterranean scale is connected to a number of factors, which draw both to thè intrinsic characteristics of each port, both thè geographic location, more or less convenient, compared to Mediterranean routes traveled, and even thè existence of a background with an efficient transport system.
The role that each port is intended to take may vary in function of thè changes that take place both internally and on a larger scale, regional, national and global levels.
The Mediterranean is no longer just a transit point but is now a sea, in which ports, thè transport of goods and/or people will stop, turning thè ports themselves into nodes of thè international network.
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