I CANALI IRRIGUI E L’EVOLUZIONE DEL PAESAGGIO AGRARIO-URBANO: IL CASO REGGIANO DEL CANALE D’ENZA O CANALE DUCALE

Beyond the urban hydraulic structures, a proper water management was crucial also in the processes linked with the agricultural development. The paper aims to present the case study of the so-called Canale Ducale, a channel built under Borso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, Reggio and Modena, in the 15th century. The construction of this channel, as well as the development of a network of secondary channels, had a deep impact upon the landscape, at the time featured by many marshes, and spawned a change of the cultural habits linked with landscape. The paper is intended to deal with these issues not only from a historical point of view, but also looking to the socio-cul- tural aspects of the water structures.