International Cooperation: University of Pavia (Italy) – “Pavia and the Water – In Memory of Leonardo da Vinci”
AMD School of Architecture – Düsseldorf & Wiesbaden
The AMD School of Architecture is working together with the renowned University of Pavia in Italy on an exceptional project: “Pavia and the Water – In Memory of Leonardo da Vinci”. The goal is to develop an urban master plan for Pavia’s new waterfront – an area between the Naviglio Canal and the Ticino River, which the city has designated for forward-looking development.
The University of Pavia, founded in 825, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Leonardo da Vinci worked here extensively: he researched hydraulics, studied water flows, and contributed to the construction of the cathedral. His original drawings are still preserved in Pavia today. This heritage forms the starting point for today’s task: creating a vision for Pavia’s future that integrates water as an identity-shaping element and reinterprets Leonardo’s spirit.
The task for our students
Participants will develop a master plan that combines the following aspects:
- Urbanism and cultural activation
- Architectural design of the waterfront
- Sustainable resource management
- Energy and mobility strategies along the Naviglio
The project combines architecture, urban planning, and research in an international context. Students work on a real development site with a budget of 17 million euros and present their concepts to representatives from science, politics, and culture. This makes the AMD School of Architecture visible as an active partner in shaping Europe’s future.
Photo: University of Pavia
Photo: Historic lock designed by Leonardo da Vinci in Pavia (Italy)