“You can’t think about architecture without thinking about people”, is the belief of Sir Richard Rogers, guest of honour at the University of Florence where today he is to receive an honorary degree.

After the ceremony, a conference is to take place on the subject of “architecture and the city ”, a favourite theme of the architect who has his own strong ideas about how to regenerate the contemporary city, despite the fact that they go somewhat against the grain: “The city isn’t a ring, full around the edge (the suburbs) and empty in the middle (the historic centre) – he explained in a recent interview – we need to put a stop to projects that empty urban centres whilst favouring new developments in the suburbs”.

The British architect – who lives and works in London where in 1977 he founded his practice, the Richard Rogers Partnership that now has offices in Barcelona and Tokyo – has a special link with the capital of Tuscany. He was in fact born there in 1933, the son of Anglo-Italian parents and returned there in 1982 to work on a design to regenerate the banks of the Arno with Claudio Cantella. In terms of Florence’s situation, Rogers has a clear idea, “Florence has to decide once and for all whether it wants to be an open air museum or a real city. It’s future depends on this choice”. E.S.

22.10.2004, h 16,30
Richard Rogers: Laurea Honoris Causa
Aula Magna dell’Università di Firenze
Piazza San Marco 4