EMotion. Eritrean mobility and cultural heritage. New frontiers of the Horn of Africa

The aim of the EMotion project is to combine both technological aspects and respect for the territory and its history in planning mobility and transport. The main axis considered in this project is the Asmara-Massawa road. Besides being a road for trade and transport, this strategic axis represents an extraordinary opportunity to design an original and innovative itinerary system. The challenges of a new mobility in this part of Eritrea could be met and overcome by preserving the pre‐existing historic infrastructure: an extraordinary and vulnerable cultural heritage, consisting of a unique road and a railway, crossing natural and cultural landscapes and connecting archaeological, historical‐artistic and architectural sites; but above all, the road itself is a summation of artefacts and monuments to be preserved, protected and enhanced. In order to face such a complex set of issues, a multidisciplinary team, including archaeologists, architects, geologists, and engineers has contributed to the research. The vision of the project can represent an ideal and real bridge to enhance the transferring of goods, ideas, knowledge and values and promote the connection of people. The upgraded transport system dating from the colonial period might become an instrument of valorization and commercial/cultural/touristic development.