RISCOPRIRE IL PAESAGGIO: UN PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO LITORANEO

#VALUECARTHAGE

developed by: Walid BEN AZAZA

RISCOPRIRE IL PAESAGGIO:

‘‘ Landscapes and places keep memories, they keep the traces of a life that has long since disappeared. These traces fascinate me because they are real, unique, always authentic. The landscapes are for me historical documents. I can try to read and interpret the place where I have to act as an architect... ’’

Peter Zumthor - Presence of history

Fig1. The maritime line of Carthage-Amilcar, Source: Personal illustration

UN PARCO ARCHEOLOGICO LITORANEO

sviluppato da:

Walid BEN AZAZA

Corso di Laurea magistrale in: Pianificazione e politiche per la città, l’ambiente, il paesaggio.

Docenti:

Prof.ssa Silvia SERRELI

Prof. Gianfranco SANNA

Prof. Andrea SULIS

Tutores:

Bakary COULIBALY

Salvatore Enrico PIRAS

Studenti:

Aurora IMPRUGAS

Marta MARRAS

Stefano PISCHEDDA

Walid BEN AZAZA

Jason Jules MARCEL NEHOU

Fig2. Amilcar beach, Source: Personal illustration

CHAPTER 1 : CARTHAGE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEDITERRANEAN HERITAGE

General context

The vulnerability of the current urban image of carthage

Historical review and landscape richness of Carthage Carthage, a Palimpsest territory

The territory as a Palimpsest

CHAPTER

Amélie Nothomb

The happy nostalgia of Amélie Nothomb

‘‘ Everything we love becomes a fiction.’’

Fig3. The baths of Antonine_Carthage, Source: Personal illustration

This work is made by different motivations;

The first motivation is the fact of digging in my memories to illustrate a personal attachment towards the city of Carthage, where I lived for 6 years during my passage in Tunis to study at the National school of Architecture and Urbanism of Tunis, I remember well my first sketches there and my first project of studio on the beach Carthage-Amilcar...

The second one is the fact of tracing the urban and territorial image of Carthage with my backround as a tunisian architect and my new knowledge as a student in urban planning, to capture not only the patrimonial and landscape richness of this context, but also the image of Carthage under the vision of its citizens.

The third one is the fact of developing urban and territorial studies in order to identify the current situation of the city and her urban problems.

The fourth one is the fact of wearing the role of a Tunisian architect and a future urban planner, in order to transmit my vision of Carthage to my Italian colleagues and to share with them a part of dream and emotion towards this context in order to affirm the role of the urban planner as a constructor of fiction.

Finally, what intrigues me most about this work is that I suddenly begin to perceive Carthage differently with the new knowledge that I have acquired.

‘‘ If you entered Carthage during its glorious period, you would see a wonder every day that you had not seen last time. ’’ Abu Obaidullah Al-Bakr

Fig4. Byrsa hill view with the ancient remains of Carthage and landscape, Source: fr.dreamstime.com

Marked by a mixture of diverse cultures, Carthage had for reputation a land of dialogue and exchange. Carthage dominated the Mediterranean Sea and played the role of a political capital, commercial and spiritual...

His imprint marked the history of the ancient period. We are interested in the Carthage site because it is a unique site full of history, symbolism and heritage which is important not only for Tunisians but also for the other populations. This brilliant civilization has today a crucial power on the economic and tourist interest of the Greater Tunis. However, there is another reality behind the postcard image that we have of this place. As a Consequence, we may be led to question the legitimacy of its heritage today, if it still reflects the image of power and wealth or if it is nothing more than rubble and myth. In fact, the archaeological sites of Carthage no longer meet the dissemination of the site’s memory due to lack of attention granted to the preservation of the context and the establishment of adequate equipment, and those that exist do not reflect the richness of archaeological sites and harm its image and symbolic grandeur.

Moreover, other factors came into play, namely the urban development which does not necessarily consider the consequences on existing remains, the urban planning legislation that was flexible during the years of dictatorship with members of the ruling clan and an even greater disorder within the institutions since the fall of the political regime in 2011.

CHAPTER 1 : CARTHAGE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY MEDITERRANEAN HERITAGE

General context

‘‘ It is by ensuring continuity between the past and the present that we will have the same chance to shape the future. Memory is an essential factor in human creativity.’’

Federico Mayor* - Memory of the Future

Carthage is the gateway to Tunisia through its opening to the Mediterranean. It inflames, not only the hearts of the Tunisians but also of all the Mediterranean people, with its various legends surrounding Roman and Carthaginian archaeological sites and its rich landscape. Those elements represent a universal heritage that stimulates the imagination and the international literature all over the world.

In ancient times, the choice of Carthage’s location was essentially determined by its favourable circumstances thanks to its strategic position. The city opens onto the Mediterranean: a well thought-out choice by the Carthaginians to control navigation.

Carthage of today is located about 15 kilometres north-east of Tunisia, on a hill about 57 m above sea level, with a coastline that stretches for about 3 km. The city is located in the centre of the peninsula with La Marsa to the north, La Goulette to the south and Sidi Bou Said to the northeast.

* Federico Mayor is a Spanish politician, scientist, diplomat and poet. He was Director General of UNESCO from 1987 to 1999.

Fig6. The degradation of the Carthage-Amilcar coastline, Source: Personal illustration

The vulnerability of the current urban image of Carthage

Instead of taking advantage of Carthage’s potential, Tunisia’s urban planning strategies do not ensure the protection and the enhancement of this universal heritage.

Indeed, the urban landscape in this former jewel of the Mediterranean has been degraded by:

• The devalorization of the city’s archaeological sites which are falling into oblivion and decadence, in favour of new constructions badly planned at a time of uncontrolled urban sprawl and lack of national awareness.

• Natural landscape endangered because of the phenomena of soil erosion.

• The maritime front abandoned because of the absence of techniques for protecting the coastline.

Whereas the future of Carthage requires well-studied project strategies born of the constraint of the current urban layers with a national conscience. Therefore, the valorisation of Carthage is not an option. Rather, it is a major challenge that will allow the designers who contribute to the act of building and developing (architects, urban planners, engineers, landscape architects, etc.) to intervene by adding to and/or subtracting from what already exists in order to ensure a new life for the context of the city of Carthage and a better reality for the city’s inhabitants.

1. commercial harbor

2. military harbor

3. agora

4. tophet

Map of Punic Carthage

Map of Romanian Carthage

5. circus

6. amphitheater

7. cisterns

8. theater

9. odeon

10. baths of antonin

11. temple

12. basilica

500m 2Km

Fig7. The morphogenesis of Carthage between the Punic period and the Roman period,

Source: Personal illustration

The name Carthage comes from the Phoenician name «Karth Hadith» Or «Qrthdst», which originally means «New City». It refers to civilizations that have succeeded each other for 3000 years.

• Punic Carthage (814 before Christ --> 146 before Christ)

Accompanied by the Queen of Tyre, the story of Carthage began when the Phoenicians embarked on Carthaginian territory, which at the beginning was only a commercial stopover to the west of the Mediterranean. The Queen of Tyre knew how to strip land from the natives to mark the birth of a great civilization.

These holy lands gave birth to legends of the history of civilizations which are cited among them Hamilcar and the general Hannibal who was one hair away from defeating the Romans on their territory.

• During the reign of the Romans (44 before Christ --> 391)

‘‘ We must destroy Carthage! ’’ Marcus Porcius Cato

The dream of Cato the Elder rose in 146 BC during the destruction of the city. Carthage was burned and deserted but after that it recognized its brilliance during the reign of Octave Augustus who realized the dream of his father, the Emperor Julius Caesar. So, Carthage was rebuilded and it became the second capital after Rome.

From 312, under the reign of the Emperor Constantine, Christianity was definitively established. Carthage became a major cultural and intellectual center of the Roman Empire and then experienced a very intense religious life. Many buildings show their omnipresence and their power over the North of Africa.

The Byzantine empire extended over the northern African lands and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Indeed, it was after Gélimer’s defeat with Bélisaire in the battles of Ad Decimum and Tricaméron that the Vandal kingdom ended in 533.

The real final fall of Carthage was realized when the Muslim army arrived in the Maghreb. They easily imposed themselves given the disastrous state of Christian power in Tunisia. By choosing the Kairouan as a center of religious and political power of the country. Muslims have turned their backs on the city of Carthage, which is losing its status as capital. It was replaced, in turn, by Kairouan, Mahdia and finally Tunis.

Graphic technique: collage and photography

• Carthage in the era of Christianity (4th century)

• Carthage under the Byzantine colony (585 --> 698)

• Muslim conquest of the Maghreb (7th century)

Fig8. The decadence of the urban image of carthage, Source: Personal illustration,

• Carthage Until now

The Urban planning has been deconcentrated from the former city of Carthage and it has been organized around the medina of Tunis. Indeed, this abandonment was explained by a slow increase in land use. So, we detect 3 Ha of land use between the years 1835 and 1975. But it has been accelerated to cover an area of 144 Ha. In 1990, this urban development stabilised in order to 250 Ha. In view of the rapid development of the modern city which was in danger of destroy the remains forever. UNESCO has launched a vast campaign between 1972 and 1992 to save Cathage with the classification of this historic city as a world heritage site.

The landscape richness of Carthage

• The topography of Carthage

The topography of Carthage is marked mainly by the hills of Byrsa, and Odeon, followed by the Sayda Plateau.

The geographical and topographical configuration of Carthage, protects the city from the possible inconveniences and embarrassments of the greater-Tunis and increases its attraction as a place of residence among the elites. If Carthage is not the capital, it tends to be the political pole, a ‘‘ Place of emblematic power ’’according to Sophie Bessis. *

• The tree in the urban environment of Carthage

Despite the intensive urban development, the Carthage region still has natural signs where vegetation is developing characteristic of a semi-arid environment with a mild winter and mediterranean climate. The site is characterized by the richness of its woody heritage. Several botanical families are represented inter- and intra-specific diversity are well observed. These botanical families include the following examples: Fabaceae, Araucariaceae, Moraceae, Ulmaceae, Solanaceae, Verbenaceae, Rutaceae, Arecaceae...This diversity constitutes a real wealth to singularize the region with an aspect of international arboreal heritage.

* Sophie Bessis is a Tunisian-born French historian, journalist, researcher, and feminist author.

Fig9. Topographical review of Carthage, Source: Personal illustration, Graphic technique: collage

• The alchemy between Carthage and the Mediterranean sea

Carthage occupies a strategic position of the Mediterranean and it marks the stratification of several civilizations that have marked its territory. This is what makes this site a seat of a maritime wealth unparalleled in its area. This is why the first Carthaginian empire was named ‘‘ Empire of the Sea ’’ because of the close relationship between this context and its sea.

However, today, this connection is further deteriorating to lead today to a lack of valuation and prectection against coastal erosion and prevailing wind.

Fig10. The alchemy between Carthage and the Mediterranean sea, Aerial shot, Source: photo modified

archaeological areas

urbanized areas

green areas

classified areas

urban parks

1. Bir Ftouha Basilica

2. Majorum Basilica

3. Saint Cyprian Basilica

4. Basilica of Damous el Karita

5. Damous el Karita Rotunda

6. zaghouan aqueduct

7. cisterns of la malga

8. column monument

9. circular monument

10. theâtre

11. odeon

12. Roman villas

13. Borj-Jedid tanks

14. Punic necropolis

15. Antonin Baths

16. Magon Ward

17. Didon Ward

18. Byrsa Penal District

19. amphitheatre

20. circus

21. Dermech Basilica

22. military port

23. wearing the Admiralty

24. commercial port

25. Salammbo Tophet

Fig11. Carthage archaeological sites, Source: Personal illustration

The archaeological richness of Carthage

Carthage is an exceptional place for the mixing and dissemination of several cultures that reflect the splendour of the civilizations that have occupied this context. It still possesses exceptional remains extending over a protected area of 200 hectares. Unesco a décidé de classer et de sauver ce trésor de l’Antiquité:

‘‘ Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and classified as a cultural site by Decree 85-1246 of 7 October 1985, all the sites of Carthage-Sidi Bousaid are considered, according to the Heritage Code, as cultural sites, sites that bear witness to the works of man or nature or to the combined works of man and nature. Archaeological sites that present the point of view of history, aesthetics, art or tradition a national or international value .’’ *

The illegal and uncontrolled urbanization is dangerously encroaching on this area classified by Unesco. It is due to the illegal constructions of the bandits and the negligence of the state because of the unstable political situation of Tunisia.

Since 2012, UNESCO has stated that it is once again concerned about the situation in Carthage, and does not hesitate to accuse the public authorities of negligence in their management of the site. In 2018, the World Heritage Committee, which follows the evolution of classified sites, invites the State to specify the boundaries of the site and to establish a ‘‘ Buffer zone’’ to respect its integrity.

* Ministry of Equipment, Housing and Territorial Development: Atlas of landscapes in Tunisia

Carthage, a Palimpsest territory

The slogan of #VALUECARTHAGE, is not limited to the act of valorisation of the archaeological sites related to the UNESCO perimeter of the city of Carthage, but it concerns as well the valorisation of the richness of the natural landscape of the city: the topography, the vegetation and the maritime line...

The urban image of this ancient jewel of the Mediterranean has been degraded not only by the lack of maintenance and spatial investments in the archeological sites which are falling into oblivion and decadence, and the uncontrolled urban sprawl, but also by the absence of techniques to protect the natural elements from natural phenomena such as the erosion affecting the soil or the degradation of the coastal line by the waves or the prevailing winds which affect the maritime lines of the Mediterranean cities...

Technique: Graphic composition

Fig12. Un parco archeologico costiero a Carthage-Amilcar, Source: Personal illustration,

cisterns of la malga basilica of damous el karita

un parco archeologico litoraneo

la linea ferroviaria

saint cyprian basilica

Faced with these multiple problems of an urban or natural order, we decided to work on an intervention area that combines the different layers of the site: urban layers, archaeological layers and natural layers...We want to confirm that Carthage is a Palimpsest territory rich on slow sedimentation of forms, layouts, typologies, trajectories, memories, and urban uses...Those layers deserve to be valued and connected with the urban context. So we chose to work on the area bordering Carthage-Amilcar and the village of Sidi Bou Said. It is area that connects the different types of carthage urban and natural layers, which will allow us to understand the territorial complexity of Carthage.

#VALUECARTHAGE

The manifestation of the slogan #VALUECARTHAGE is elaborated by the proposition of a coastal archaeological park. The intention of our park concerns the limitation of the uncontrolled urban sprawl, the enhancement of the archaeological sites of our intervention area and the preservation of the natural richness of the site. Without forgetting the importance of this kind of park in the region to be at the same time, a tourist, cultural and educational pole for the residents of the city of Carthage or for the tourist aspect of the region...

the former hôtel amilcar Amilcar beach

Fig13. Carthage, a Palimpsest territory, Source: Personal illustration, Technique: graphic composition and collage

‘‘ The territory, overloaded as it is with traces and past readings, is more like a palimpsest. In order to set up new facilities, to exploit certain lands more rationally, it is often indispensable to modify the substance of the land irreversibly. The substance of the land in an irreversible way. But the territory is not a lost package or a consumer product that can be replaced. Each one is unique, hence the need to «recycle», to scrape once again, but if possible with the greatest care, the old text that men have inscribed on the irreplaceable material of the soil, in order to lay down a new one that meets today’s needs before being revealed in its turn.’’

André Corboz*

The Territory as Palimpsest and other essays

* André Corboz is a Swiss art, architecture and urban planning historian.

The tree rings represent the plan of a porous territory, a labyrinth of successive layers and urban sedimentations.

The tree is the symbol of life, but it carries within it, just like man, his sufferings, his joys and his memories. In the same way, the territories hide in their layers urban scars: voids, neglected areas, ruins, buildings in a state of degradation.

the layers of the territory:

archaeological sites

monuments buildings

natural elements

links between layers

The territory as a palimpsest

• Notion of Palimpsest

The palimpsest means an object that is constituted by a dynamic of (destruction/reconstruction), while keeping the history of the old traces. It’s about sedimentation and stratification of layers of renewal or substitutions by traces inscribed on the soil and in the walls but also in the collective memory.

• Notion of territory as Palimpsest

The history of city territories is improved by their successive layers, the remodelling of their monuments, natural elements and additions that bear witness to all periods. From antiquity to the present day, spatial designers have reconsidered the structures of their predecessors by recomposing them or by taking up pre-existing urban and architectural themes. The territory is composed by slow sedimentation of forms, layouts, typologies, routes, memories, uses with collective consensus on urban and architectural forms and typologies. So that, the territories of cities are built, destroyed and rebuilt.

Imaginary territory, Cross section of a tree

To illustrate the territory as a palimpsest, we conduct an experiment based on the interpretation of a cross-section of a tree to hilight the fact that the territory works in layers, rewrites itself over time and constantly reinvents itself.

•

CHAPTER 2 : VALORIZATING CARTHAGE THROUGH A COASTAL- ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

section e-e’

section f-f’

section d-d’

section c-c’

section b-b’

section a-a’

La linea di costa

la linea ferroviaria

Fig15. Observation of the context of the project with urban sections, Source: Personal illustration

The guiding urban and landscape elements of the project

• Interpreting the context with urban sections

section a-a’

section b-b’

Our analysis of the territorial context of the project with urban sections shows us that CarthageAmilcar is directed by two guidelines:

-La linea di costa

-La linea ferroviaria

section c-c’

• Territorio struttura

section d-d’

section f-f’

section e-e’

The territorio struttura is defined as the spatial representation of the project, an organisation of a spatial system which gives rise to project scenarios. It can be formed from places that exist within the city but are left without a function, spaces that are not taken into consideration and that can build a connection, a link between the different places that surround them.

Territorio struttura

Fig16. Territorio struttura, Territorial scale, Source: Group work

La linea ferroviaria as a hinge element

• General strategy

The general strategy of the project consists of opening La linea ferroviaria to La linea di costa of Carthage-Amilcar. In fact, the current urban image does not reflect the different richness of this context. So, the site is excluded from the diffrent natural and historical layers of Carthage.

By identifying La linea ferroviaria as a hinge element, the intention is to effectively link the different urban, archaeological and natural layers of the site.

the urban image

urban, archaeological and natural layers

la linea ferroviaria

Fig17. Scheme explaining the general strategy of the project, Source: Personal illustration

La linea di costa

physical link

visual link

Fig18. Physical-visual connections, Source: Group work

Port Sidi Bou Said

President station

La linea di costa

Amilcar station

Physical-visual connections

• President station

For the first hinge element, it’s about favoring the interaction between the historical archaeological context (UNESCO) related to the basilicas of St. Cyprian and Damous El Karita, and the institutional context (presidential academic) related to the IHEC academy, the «Carthage presidency» high school and the presidential residence.

The focus will be on protecting and preserving the shoreline in the face of the gradual retreat of the shoreline that has occurred over the years.

Amilcar station

It’s about favoring the interaction between the residential context, the historical archaeological context (UNESCO) related to the cisterns of the Roman era, and finally the tourist context of the Former Amilcar Hotel.

• Sidi Bou Said Station

It’s about favoring continuity between the complex urban context of Sidi Bou Said, the institutional context related to the administrative district, and the tourist context of the Sidi Bou Said port.

• La linea di costa

•

Fig19. Macro ambienti insediativi, Source: Group work

Macro ambienti insediativi

When we speak about Macro ambienti insediativi, it is not the method of the classic zoning in the way of « The Plan d’Aménagement Urbain » of Tunisia which fragments the urban spatial perception and does not take into consideration the territorial complexity. It is a method of urban analysis that will allow us to make a strategic spatial reading of the studied territory to highlight the poles of territorial potentiality that impact our context.

It‘s characterized by the historical settlement of Sidi Bou Said and by the complex urban settlement.

It represents a transitional context between the natural park of Sidi Dhrif and the UNESCO area.

1. SIDI BOU SAID URBAN area

1.1.Historical urban area of Sidi Bou Said

1.2.Complex urban area of Sidi Bou Said

1.3.Sidi Dhrif natural park

2.UNESCO area

2.1. Informal residential area of the UNESCO perimeter

2.2.UNESCO area

2.2.1.Archaeological area of the Roman cisterns

2.2.2.Archaeological area of the basilica of San Cipriano

2.2.3.Damous El Karita Basilica archaeological area

2.2.4.The archaeological site of the Roman Amphitheatre

2.2.5.Archaeological site of the Baths of Antoninus

3.COASTAL

It includes the Sidi Bou Said natural park, the CarthageAmilcar Natural Park and the coastal tourist and port area of carthage-Amilcar.

3.2.Carthage-Amilcar

3.3.Coastal

4.HISTORICAL

it includes the area for the educational services, the infrastructure-railway area, he presidential area and the mosque.

4.1.Education services area

4.2.Infrastructural-railway area

4.3.Presidential area

4.4.Religious

TOURIST area

3.1.Natural park of Sidi Bou Said

Natural Park

tourist area

AND CULTURAL area

sphere

Fig20. Damous El Karita Basilica archaeological area, Aerial view 1950, Source: picryl.com

1. Physical Barriers

2. Soil Erosion

3. Archaeological Wastelands

4. Urban Wastelands

Fig21. Barriers, Decadence, Erosion, Source: Group work

Barriers, Decadence, Erosion

• The old Amilcar Hotel

The area in question is characterised by a strong state of abandonment, especially after the partial demolition of the old Amilcar Hotel, which promoted tourist use. Today, the old structure is being redeveloped in this area for tourism purposes.

• The coastline

The coastline of Carthage Amilcar is subject to erosion. On the orthophotos, it’s possible to see a considerable retreat of the coastline in 13 years. So that the small beach in front of the old hotel is now almost absent.

• The landscape

The natural parks of Sidi Bou Said and of Amilcar are in danger because of the phenomena of soil erosion.

• The archaeological heritage

As far as the archaeological heritage of the area is concerned, we can note the particular state of degradation which characterises the two basilicas, that of Saint-Cyprien and the Damous el karita basilica. Furthermore, La linea ferroviaria and the road that leads to the mosque are considered as an element of urban fracture due to its physical barriers which limit access and use. And they abruptly divides a purely archaeological area.

Valorizing the Palimpsest side of Carthage-Amilcar

Fig22. Territorio struttura, Immediate context of the project, Source: Group work

In order to enhance the Carthage-Amilcar area we have targeted the different layers of the territorial complexity: landscape and archaeological layers. It will be possible to enhance those layers, so that the local residents and the tourists can enjoy the richness of the context.

The coastal archaeological park intends to offer a system that encourages walking, cultural and natural tourism, as well as a coastal system to preserve the maritime heritage.

public spaces

residential areas

bicycle and pedestrian paths

natural and landscape areas

Fig23. The layers of the new coastal archaeological park, Source: Group work

Physical-visual connections into action

The project in question, which aims to create a coastal archaeological park, includes the following conceptual actions:

• Eliminating the roadway that cuts the area the American Cemetery and the area of the Basilica Damous el karita to liberate the archaeological area.

• Creating una passeggiata urbana that crosses the archaeological and the landscape layers with some platforms for visitors.

• Encouraging il ripascimento of the beach Carthag-Amilcar.

• Creating un pennello in the area in front of the old Amilcar Hotel to protect the new beach.

• Adding support services for la passeggiata urbana, the basilics and the beach.

• Establishing a new railway station at Carthage presidency, to close the TGM circuit, and follow up with a tramway that leads from carthage presidency to la marsa.

• Redeveloping the former Amilcar Hotel into a «multifunctional» building, the adjoining parking lot, and the Avenue of the Environment by extending the pedestrian zone.

•

Stakeholder Mapping

Fig24. Governance Process, Source: Group work

Fig25. Relations and figures of Governance Process, Source: Group work

Un parco archeologico litoraneo

• Master Plan

Fig26. The layers of the new coastal archaeological park,

Source: Group work

Fig27. Section A, Source: Group work

Fig28. Section B, Source: Group work

Fig29. Sectionplatform of Basilica San Cipriano, Source: Group work

• New platform of Basilica San Cipriano

Fig30. Master Plan detail New platform of Basilica San Cipriano , Source: Group work

Fig31. New platform of Basilica San

Cipriano , Source: Group work

Fig32. New platform of Basilica San Cipriano , sea view framing, Source: Group work

Carthage-Amilcar coastal intervention

Fig33. Master Plan detail Carthage-Amilcar coastal intervention , Source: Group work

Fig34. Section detail gardin and the link between the 2 beaches, Source: Group work

Fig36. Overall view of Carthage-Amilcar coastline, Source: Group work

Fig35. Section detail il pennello, Source: Group work

CHAPTER 4 : URBAN PLANNING COHERENCE

The project according to the Plan d’Aménagement Urbain

Within the Plan d’Aménagement Urbain, it’s possible to find the landscape classification of the project settlement environments:

1) Zn (site naturel classèe) areas 1.3- 3.1- 3.2

2) UPa2 (ensemble historique et traditionelle de Sidi Bou Said) areas 1.1- 1.2

3) Za (zone arquéologiques non aedificandi classées) areas 2.2.12.2.2- 2.2.3- 2.2.4- 2.2.5

4) Zp (zone portuaire) area 3.3

• Plan d’Aménagement Urbain directions

1) Area Zn

This is the area of Amilcar subject to forest regime, and at the same time classified as archaeological but not excavated. This area, which covers about 28 hectares, is an extremely fragile natural environment that suffers continuous degradation in the form of erosion and landslides, particularly due to deforestation and stormwater runoff. The implementation of a program aimed at its protection and implementation of vegetation cover is required. Any other form of land use is prohibited. Existing constructions may be subject to maintenance, restoration and renovation, but without any form of expansion to the detriment of forested or reforested areas.Due to its dual protection as an archaeological area and a fragile natural site, this area is governed by Decree No. 85-1246 of October 7, 1985 on the classification of the Carthage site.

Fig37. PAU of the Carthage-Amilcar area

Fig38. Macro ambienti insediativi according to the Plan d’Aménagement Urbain, Source: Group work

2) Area UPa2

The designation UPa2 refers to the old center of the village of Sidi Bou Said, corresponding to the historic site classified as delimited by the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said site classification plan annexed to Decree No. 85-1246 of October 7, 1985 on the classification of the Carthage site, as amended and supplemented by subsequent texts. This area is governed by the mentioned decree as well as the Beylical decree of August 6, 1915.

3) Area Za

The acronym Za denotes the classified but unexcavated archaeological sites as indicated by the classification plan of the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said sites annexed to Decree No. 85-1246 of October 7, 1985 on the classification of the Carthage site, as amended and supplemented by subsequent texts. This area is governed by the provisions of the mentioned decree as well as those of the Beylical of August 06, 1915.

4) Area Zp

This is an area assigned to a marina granted to the ONTT. Any intervention within the port enclosure must comply with the regulations governing the Port State Property.

The proposed project respects the instrictions of the Plan d’Amènagement Urbain de Carthage. But, the classic method of zoning in the way of « The Plan d’Aménagement Urbain » of Tunisia fragments the urban spatial perception and does not take into consideration the territorial complexity. So, we propose to work with the Macro ambienti insediativi, wich allow us to make a strategic spatial reading of the studied territory to highlight the poles of territorial potentiality that impact our context.

Fig39. Overall view of il pennello, Source: Group work

General conclusion

Carthage is not only a Tunisian city, Carthage is a Mediterranean myth that deserves a better urban and architectural reality.

The richness of Carthage is not limited to the archaeological sites, but they concern the landscape richness which involves the unique topography, the plant palette and the connection with the sea.

Currently, Carthage no longer responds to the diffusion of the site’s memory due to the lack of attention given to the preservation of the context and the establishment of adequate equipments, and those that exist do not reflect the richness of the archaeological sites and harm its image and symbolic grandeur. In addition, the legislation on urban planning with the PAU culture does not take into account the territorial complexity. And let’s not forget the natural problems that menace the landscape, especially the phenomena of erosion that attacks the city’s beaches.

From a strategic and methodological point of view, the urban sections, the Territorio Struttura and the Macro ambienti insediativi, are considered as spatial and territorial instruments of perception that allow the urban planner to understand the territorial complexity of the studied context in order to propose good solutions.

From an operational point of view, the territorial complexity of Carthage requires projects born from the constraint of the current urban image to take into consideration the different layers of this palimpsest territory and which are based on an overall urban vision.

Selected bibliography

Ouvrages

• Gianfranco Sanna, Silvia Serreli, Territori inediti della città, Progetti tra architettura e urbanistica, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2018.

• Denis Lacaille, Danièle Larcena, La ligne dans le paysage, Promenades géographiques dans les Monts de Vaucluse autour du Mur de la Peste, Pierre Sèche en Vaucluse, Saumane,Paris, 2003.

• David Mangin, Philippe Panerai, Projet urbain, Collection eupalinos, Parenthèses Editions, 1999.

• Peter Zumthor, Présence de l’histoire, éditions Scheidegger & Spiess, Zurich, 2018.

• Aldo Rossi, L’architecture de la ville, éditions In Folio, 1966.

• Federico Mayor, la mémoire de l’Avenir, PARIS, 1994.

• André Corboz, Le Territoire comme palimpseste et autres essais, Les éditions de l’Imprimeur, 2001.

• Abdelhamid Barkaoui, La marine Carthaginoise, l’Or de temps, 2003.

Articles

• Françoise Benhamou, L’inscription au patrimoine mondial de l’humanité, [en ligne], https://www.cairn.info/revue-tiersmonde-2010-2-page-113.htm#no105.

• Davide Rolfo, La lettura morfologica del sistema insediativo, [en ligne], http://www.urbanisticainformazioni. it/La-lettura-morfologica-del-sistema-insediativo.

html?fbclid=IwAR1mFjq2Nn9cf4FMQxwnFkFX5kf_ jyevIWGBrLfptsaAESge5NETy6Se5g8.

• Wissal Ayadi, Carthage : La cité punique menacée par l’habitat anarchique, [en ligne], https://news.gnet.tn/carthage-lacite-punique-menacee-par-l-habitat-anarchique-hayetbayoudh-se-bat-pour-la-sauver?fbclid=IwAR0adMd_

Mémoires et thèses

• Ounifi Eya, L’appel vers la mer, Valorisation du patrimoine maritime à travers la Revitalisation de Dar ElHout à Carthage, Université de Carthage, École d’architecture et d’urbanisme de Tunis, Juillet 2022.

• Mickael Cuillerat, À l’orée des ruines, Nouvelles interfaces entre Fourvière et son parc antique, ENSAL AFT 2003-2004.

• Bayram Zgolli, Secourir carthage ! Tentative de revalorisation du musée et du site archéologique de Carthage, Université de Carthage, École d’architecture et d’urbanisme de Tunis, Juin 2016.

List of figures

Fig40. List of figures

Fig1. The maritime line of Carthage-Amilcar, Source: Personal illustration.......4

Fig2. Amilcar beach, Source: Personal illustration..................................................................6

Fig3. The baths of Antonine_Carthage, Source: Personal illustration......................8

Fig4. Byrsa hill view with the ancient remains of Carthage and landscape, Source: fr.dreamstime.com.............................................................................................................10

Fig5. General context of Carthage, Source: Personal illustration.................................12

Fig6. The degradation of the Carthage-Amilcar coastline, Source: Personal illustration......................................................................................................................................................14

Fig7. The morphogenesis of Carthage between the Punic period and the Roman period, Source: Personal illustration...........................................................................16

Fig8. The decadence of the urban image of carthage, Source: Personal illustration, Graphic technique: collage and photography...........................................18

Fig9. Topographical review of Carthage, Source: Personal illustration, Graphic technique: collage and photography..........................................................................................21

Fig10. The alchemy between Carthage and the Mediterranean sea, Aerial shot, Source: photo modified......................................................................................................................23

Fig11. Carthage archaeological sites, Source: Personal illustration.........................24

Fig12. Un parco archeologico costiero a Carthage-Amilcar, Source: Personal illustration, Technique: Graphic composition.............................................................................27

Fig13. Carthage, a Palimpsest territory, Source: Personal illustration, Technique: graphic composition and collage..........................................................................29

Fig14. Imaginary territory, Cross section of a tree, Source: Personal illustration.....................................................................................................................................................30

Fig15. Observation of the context of the project with urban sections, Source: Personal illustration................................................................................................................................32

Fig16. Territorio struttura, Territorial scale, Source: Group work.........................34

Fig17. Scheme explaining the general strategy of the project, Source: Personal illustration...............................................................................................................................35

Fig18. Physical-visual connections, Source: Group work...........................................36

Fig19. Macro ambienti insediativi, Source: Group work............................................38

Fig20. Damous El Karita Basilica archaeological area, Aerial view 1950, Source: picryl.com...................................................................................................................................41

Fig21. Barriers, Decadence, Erosion, Source: Group work........................................42

Fig22. Territorio struttura, Immediate context of the project, Source: Group work..................................................................................................................................................................44

Fig23. The layers of the new coastal archaeological park, Source: Group work...46

Fig24. Governance Process, Source: Group work...........................................................48

Fig25. Relations and figures of Governance Process, Source: Group work..........49

Fig26. The layers of the new coastal archaeological park, Source: Group work...50

Fig27. Section A, Source: Group work.....................................................................................53

Fig28. Section B, Source: Group work.....................................................................................53

Fig29. Sectionplatform of Basilica San Cipriano, Source: Group work...............53

Fig30. Master Plan detail New platform of Basilica San Cipriano , Source: Group work..................................................................................................................................................54

Fig31. New platform of Basilica San Cipriano , Source: Group work ...............56

Fig32. New platform of Basilica San Cipriano , sea view framing, Source: Group work..................................................................................................................................................59

Fig33. Master Plan detail Carthage-Amilcar coastal intervention , Source: Group work..................................................................................................................................................60

Fig34. Section detail gardin and the link between the 2 beaches, Source: Group work..................................................................................................................................................62

Fig35. Section detail il pennello, Source: Group work..................................................63

Fig36. Overall view of Carthage-Amilcar coastline, Source: Group work.........63

Fig37. PAU of the Carthage-Amilcar area.............................................................................65

Fig38. Macro ambienti insediativi according to the Plan d’Aménagement Urbain, Source: Group work...........................................................................................................66

Fig39. Overall view of il pennello, Source: Group work..............................................68

‘‘ If you entered Carthage during its glorious period, you would see a wonder every day that you had not seen last time. ’’

Abu Obaidullah Al-Bakr

Carthage is the gateway to Tunisia through its opening to the Mediterranean. It inflames, not only the hearts of the Tunisians but also of all the Mediterranean people, with its various legends surrounding Roman and Carthaginian archaeological sites and its rich landscape. Those elements represent a universal heritage that stimulates the imagination and the international literature all over the world.