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Sociological Observation of Southern Rome |
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written
by juliatm / 09.17.2005 |
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The social characteristics of the residents |
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Along Via Marmorata, the residents were in lower to middle class apartments. There were bars on apartment windows, as well as large amounts of graffiti, indicating a possible higher rate of criminal activity. The massive number of antennas on top of the apartment buildings indicated that most of the residents owned televisions, though did not possess access to cable or satellite television. The streets were dingy and did not look very well maintained or clean. The people walking along the streets were dressed much more casually, and there was more diversity in ethnicity as well as age. We noticed a school for elementary and secondary education which demonstrates age diversity. We walked past a park area filled with what we assumed to be immigrant families, including Indian and Chinese families. It was however, difficult to make any conclusions in terms of sexual preferences and activities.
As we headed further south, Via Marmorata became Via Ostiense. This was less of a residential area compared to the previous street, as noted by the greater number of shops. The area seemed a bit nicer, and had wider streets and sidewalks. We noticed more open space in general, and the people on the streets were dressed in business attire. The ages of the people we observed were not as diverse, mostly between the ages of twenty to forty. The majority of the people observed were assumed to be Italian, making the area generally less diverse. However, we did notice a Thai and a Mexican restaurant. We walked by a beauty salon for men which showed pictures in the window of fashionable and attractive male models, looking rather feminine. Although we noticed several guys walking along the street in groups of two, we weren’t able to determine much about sexual preference, given the lack of public displays of affection.
The third area in which we made sociological observations was the neighborhood of Ostiense. Here we noticed more middle to upper class apartments, with nicely decorated balconies. There was notably less graffiti in this neighborhood as well. It was slightly more of an upscale residential area, compared to the other areas we observed. We didn’t notice many immigrants, except for a couple of Chinese men at a Ristorante Cinese by the train station, and an immigrant-run food stand. Residents in this area appeared much older, as evident by the people we observed on the streets, in the shops, and the presence of a retirement home in the area.
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The distinctive economic and consumption activity in the neighborhood |
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In the first area we observed (Via Marmorata), there were a small number of eclectic shops, which were more geared to those living in the area, as evidenced by the presence of a faucet shop. There were also a few entertainment-oriented businesses, for example a circus called Teatro Spaziozero, a contemporary art museum, and a ‘music restaurant.’ We immediately noticed that there was a decrease in tourist-oriented commercial activity. This was evident by the lack of English translated signs on store fronts; rather, they all used Italian slogans. This area was specifically catering towards Italian residents.
The second area we observed, Via Ostiense, had much more commercial rather then residential activity. The clientele was mainly business men and women on their mid-day breaks. We saw many restaurants and a market place. Again the shops were catering to Italian residents rather then tourists.
The neighborhood of Ostiense was mainly residential however there were a few shops, for example, an ‘Electronic Fantasy’ shop, a ‘Fastweb’ internet café, an excellent gelato shop, and a solarium (tanning salon). Like the previous two places, this neighborhood was not tourist oriented.
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Generalizations about the character/culture of the area |
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Pious or secular? Etc.
The first area, Via Marmorata, was somewhat artsy. We saw posters for music and concerts posted all over the area as well as the ‘music restaurant,’ previously mentioned. We also observed a small Chiesa Cristiana Evangelical; the building that housed it was pink and looked run-down, not the standard of church we are used to seeing in Rome. The circus-theatre we saw, Teatro Spaziozero, was painted bright purple and not well maintained, situated right across from the pink church, both structures looked out of place and rather tacky. In terms of politics, some of the graffiti we noticed was politically based, such as “Uccidete Bush” (Kill Bush) and “Mai più fascismo/Resistenza” (Never again Fascism/Resistance).
Along Via Ostiense we observed many people, women especially, talking on cell phones. We also saw a trendy eatery called “.it,” which looked very new and had bright flashy colors. We also passed a university, “Facoltà di Economia,” where students were gathered in the courtyard studying and socializing. They were a young crowd of well dressed Italians. Along this street we also stumbled upon people setting up for Festa Nazionale di Liberazione, a communist party demonstration. The bright colors and loud music drew us into the middle of the square where we were surrounded by tented booths all being set up for the fair. Walking further into the fair we witnessed a fight between a large topless, tattooed man and a casually dressed older looking man in the outdoor sitting area of a restaurant. We heard a lot of loud yelling in Italian and finally the large man stormed out of the restaurant. This area was very politically charged, as evident by the aforementioned scene, and the anti-Bush graffiti.
The neighborhood of Ostiense was not noticeably pious, with the exception of a single nun walking alone on the sidewalk near a park. Though not as young and ‘hip’ as the second area along Via Ostiense, we observed nicer cars, including Mercedes-Benz buses. The streets were filled with mostly older-aged people, and we also noticed a ‘Pullino Centro Sociale Anziani’ retirement home. The use of public space was more aesthetic here, as evident by the presence of the Parco Caduti del Mare.
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Further observations |
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In conclusion the three areas we visited improved progressively as we went from one to the other. The train tracks literally separated the two sides we observed. On one side of the tracks the buildings were covered with a significant amount of graffiti, while on the other side, apartment buildings were adorned with pleasant plant filled balconies. This area seemed generally more upscale, with quieter and smaller streets as well. These two neighborhoods while very close geographically were only separated by a footbridge, though an old map showed that a road once connected the two.
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