Borghi nuovi comunali lungo il medio corso del Po (XII-XIII secolo): progettualità, successi e fallimenti

This paper examines the creation, development, and outcomes of new towns established along the middle course of the Po River between the 12th and 13th centuries. It situates these settlements within the broader historiographical debate on "centri minori" and medieval processes of population concentration, territorial control, and economic integration. Focusing on both successful and failed new towns, the study highlights the interplay between political strategies of urban communes, military and commercial objectives linked to river access, and the constraints imposed by highly dynamic riverine environments. Particular attention is paid to environmental risk, resilience, and landscape management practices in flood-prone areas. The analysis shows that pre-existing settlements strengthened through communal intervention proved more sustainable than entirely new foundations, underscoring the combined role of socio-political planning and environmental adaptability in shaping medieval landscape history.