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CITIES ARE MADE OF PEOPLE,

NOT BUILDINGS

by Cesare Patrone *

The periodical Silvae, now publishing the first volume of its second
year, bears a section called “Focus” which in a way forms the recurring
theme of each issue. Its proposed aim is to examine the link between
city and nature, which reflects the link between man and man’s role as
inhabitant of a city, not necessarily meant as a huge metropolis. To
reach this goal, and remain true to the spirit which first animated its
creators, Silvae relies upon a culture based on dialogue and pluralism
to start a debate on, and lead to an in-depth investigation of, one of
the themes which are most central to our lives as individuals and as a
community.
City and nature often are perceived as absolutely unreconcilable
opposites. Quashed and irresolute, between them stands man, unable
as it is to establish whether to safeguard or enhance one or the other.
From time to time, he is now considered as the sole figure responsible
for the public good, or res publica, or considered at other times as an
intellectual forced to dictate, or at least to propose lines of action, and
at other times he is considered as a citizen, the bemused spectator and
inevitable beneficiary. It is he who is called on to judge this and other
dilemmas which he is directly or indirectly called upon to interpret, to
solve: should he choose science over humanism? Culture over work?
Tradition instead of progress?
Cities change, as is of course inevitable. They change because
society changes, and this change is mainly due to the fact that man
changes. His habits, his way of relating to others and to himself, his
Anno
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* Head of the State Forest Police Force
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