Author(s)

M Rasulo

Abstract

This study represents an alternative to the new General Communal Plan for Naples (edited in 1999), which plans the creation of a natural park in Naples’ oriental area; the practicability of this plan is in doubt, while a natural river park could be easily instituted a little above, in the territory of Volla Municipality. Volla plain, a strip of plain sited between Naples and Vesuvius, was in the past ploughed by the waters of river Sebeto and by many other watercourses; it pre- sented all the typical aspects of a swamp, and especially a great floral and faunal richness and variety. After reclaiming operations performed over centuries it has completely lost its original aspect, mostly in the last 50 years, because of the quick and absurd urbanization of the oriental Neapolitan hinterland, the partial industrialization of traditionally rural lands and most of all because of huge water extraction from the subterranean sources and aquifers which fed the water courses of the plain. Nevertheless the site still keeps many elements of an environmental and cultural value that would be worth preserving and improving for a sustainable development of the area: typical cultures (vegetables), traditional and historical buildings (mostly farmhouses but also some remarkable monuments) and watercourses (four in total). This proposal provides for the promotion and the exploitation of the area beyond the sustainable development principles, with the creation of a park along the still existing water courses and the reintroduction of the original flora and fauna, the restoration of the historical and traditional buildings used for receptive, tourist and recreational activities, and the improvement of the local productive activities introducing markets, fairs and village feasts.

Keywords