Sixty years ago, on November 4th, 1966, Florence was struck by the devastating flood of the Arno, the most recent in a long history of inundations, yet one that left an unprecedented mark on the city’s identity. Images circulated worldwide revealed an unfamiliar Florence, its most intimate spaces and priceless cultural heritage violated by water and mud. At the same time, the disaster triggered an extraordinary international response. Local residents, students, and volunteers from across the globe, the “Mud Angels” or “angeli del fango,” joined in a collective effort of rescue and recovery. This mobilization also involved the nascent community of study-abroad programs in the city, demonstrating Florence’s internationalist spirit and the profound bond between the city and the global academic community.
The 1966 flood became a turning point, reshaping global awareness of Florence’s cultural significance and contributing to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Six decades later, this conference invites scholars to use the 1966 event as a catalyst for a broader investigation into how water has shaped the urban, sociological, and artistic fabric of historic cities across the globe.
As climate concerns intensify, the lessons of 1966 inform new strategies for urban planning, design, and environmental resilience. This conference intends to explore the flood’s enduring legacy and the evolving challenges it continues to pose to a dynamic, ever-changing urban landscape. We invite interdisciplinary contributions that address these themes across various cities and disciplines.