1942 World's Fair: Construction of E.U.R.
The EUR (Esposizione Universale Roma) project was one of the crowning projects for Mussolini, and was meant to become an economic and civic center outside the historic city center of Rome. It was planned to host the upcoming 1942 Worlds Fair, but could only be built after the vast marsh area between Rome and sea was drained, which was an enormous undertaking in itself.
Construction began in the 1930s, but was interrupted by WWII, which also eventually led to the cancellation of the 1942 Worlds Fair.
After Mussolini was ousted in 1944, instead of losing all the investment already put into the new area and despite its cold and enormous proportions, the city decided to complete EUR with various modifications. The size was scaled down, but the ultimate urban core idea was kept. (Karabenick, 1963)
Part of the original plan called for the first Roman subway connecting EUR to the historic center, as well as a rail line to EUR and on to the port city of Ostia. As with all projects in Rome, the subway building was plagued with constant interruptions from archeological finds, but was finally completed in 1955. (Karabenick, 1963)
The area has changed the residents negative view of the "wasteland" between the city and the sea, and much development has occurred in surrounding areas since then. Because of this new rail line, two new universities were built in 1982 and 1992, the Lido di Roma (port city) emerged as a resort town for city dwellers. (Karabenick, 1963)
Construction began in the 1930s, but was interrupted by WWII, which also eventually led to the cancellation of the 1942 Worlds Fair.
After Mussolini was ousted in 1944, instead of losing all the investment already put into the new area and despite its cold and enormous proportions, the city decided to complete EUR with various modifications. The size was scaled down, but the ultimate urban core idea was kept. (Karabenick, 1963)
Part of the original plan called for the first Roman subway connecting EUR to the historic center, as well as a rail line to EUR and on to the port city of Ostia. As with all projects in Rome, the subway building was plagued with constant interruptions from archeological finds, but was finally completed in 1955. (Karabenick, 1963)
The area has changed the residents negative view of the "wasteland" between the city and the sea, and much development has occurred in surrounding areas since then. Because of this new rail line, two new universities were built in 1982 and 1992, the Lido di Roma (port city) emerged as a resort town for city dwellers. (Karabenick, 1963)