Rome the Capital: The Impending Suburbs and Strategies of Integration-Decentralization

Abstract

The growth of the city of Rome, particularly its suburbs, has revealed unique characteristics since it became the capital of Italy in 1870. A decision to reject industrial development led to a city overwhelmingly involved in government administration and tertiary activities, and later decisions that attempted to control growth led to much illegal building and master plans proposed and never implemented. This article traces Rome's post–World War II growth in particular with respect to the working class and to industrialization and links an understanding of changes in Rome with those in the region of Lazio.