Napoli's Centro Direzionale: History, Challenges, and New Metro Stations
In Naples, Italy, the Centro Direzionale (CDN) was established in the 1970s to reduce traffic congestion, initially designed by Luigi Piccinato and later reimagined by Kenzo Tange following the 1980 earthquake. Key structures in the area include the Enel towers, standing 122 meters tall with 33 floors, the San Carlo Borromeo church built between 1989 and 1990, and the Palace of Justice, which was finalized in 1996. Despite its architectural significance, the CDN suffers from inadequate use and maintenance. Currently, two new metro stations on Line 1—Centro Direzionale, designed by Benedetta Tagliabue–EMBT Architects, and Tribunale—are being built, with completion anticipated in 2023. The Centro Direzionale station, the largest wooden construction site in Europe, will feature a wave-like roof to enhance the district's appeal. However, a planned artwork by Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada was scrapped due to financial constraints.
Key facts
- Centro Direzionale (CDN) in Naples was planned in 1971 by Luigi Piccinato to decongest the Rione Carità administrative center.
- Giulio De Luca coordinated the 1975 master plan, dividing the area into 18 building islands with 75% low-rise and 25% tower buildings.
- After the 1980 earthquake, Kenzo Tange was hired to revise the plan, maintaining pedestrian-vehicle separation and three longitudinal axes.
- The twin Enel towers (1986-1995) are 122m tall, 33 floors, with a steel structure and red brick serpentine facade.
- San Carlo Borromeo church (1989-1990) by Pierluigi Spadolini seats 400, features a triangular plan, stepped wood roof, and glass altar furnishings by Mario Ceroli.
- The new Palace of Justice (1974-1996) covers 5 hectares, includes three glass towers (70-110m), and was damaged by arson in 1990.
- Two new Line 1 metro stations (Centro Direzionale and Tribunale) are under construction, expected to open in 2023.
- The Centro Direzionale station, designed by Benedetta Tagliabue–EMBT, is Europe's largest wooden construction site (6,000 sqm) and will be part of the 'stations of art' network.
- A planned artwork by Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada (giant portrait of Virgil) was canceled due to lack of funds.
- The CDN has faced criticism for its alienating architecture, lack of residences, and ghost-town atmosphere outside office hours.
Entities
Artists
- Luigi Piccinato
- Giulio De Luca
- Kenzo Tange
- Pierluigi Spadolini
- Guido Spadolini
- Remo Caldano
- Gianni Legnardini
- Mario Ceroli
- Renato Avolio De Martino
- Massimo Pica Ciamarra
- Antonio Capobianco
- Michele Capobianco
- Daniele Zagaria
- Corrado Beguinot
- Benedetta Tagliabue
- Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada
- Carlo De Cristofaro
- Riccardo Morandi
- Sant'Elia
Institutions
- EMBT Architects
- Enel
- Mededil
- Comune di Napoli
- Università di Napoli Federico II
- Università di Roma La Sapienza
- Dipartimento di Architettura di Napoli (DIARC)
- Corte d'Appello di Napoli
- Tribunale di Napoli
- Procura Generale di Napoli
- Procura della Repubblica di Napoli
- Tribunale di Sorveglianza di Napoli
- UNEP
- Circumvesuviana
- Linea 1 della metropolitana di Napoli
- Artribune
Locations
- Naples
- Italy
- Centro Direzionale (CDN)
- Poggioreale
- Rione Carità
- Corso Malta
- via Nuova Poggioreale
- via Taddeo da Sessa
- stazione centrale di Napoli
- Casa Circondariale di Poggioreale
- Bologna
- Rome
- Tor Bella Monaca
- piazza Ugo La Malfa
- piazza Salerno
- Vasto
- Sydney
- Australia