Bruce Babbitt is the James Marston Fitch Historic Preservationist in Residence at the American Academy in Rome and a planning consultant in Washington, DC. He is a biologist, lawyer, former governor of Arizona and served as the Secretary of the Interior under President Clinton. During his time in office Babbitt discovered the power of the Endangered Species Act to stop harmful development. In 2005 Babbitt authored the book Cities in the Wilderness: A New Vision of Land Use in America, highlighting the need to balance human settlement with the preservation of the lands upon which all life depends.
What are your childhood experiences of urban environments?
I grew up in a town in the west with a population of 2000 so my understanding of the urban environment has been very influenced by my interest in that which lies beyond it. I only came to reflect upon the inside experience when I began to realize that the maintenance and quality of open space is ultimately related to how you manage the urban environment.
Have you had any "eureka!" moments or unanticipated breakthroughs in the course of your work?
Before coming to the AAR I had an interest in medieval hilltop towns and felt certain that there was some meaning in city walls beyond their defensive purposes. I’d gotten nowhere and all of a sudden I found a review for Hendrik Dey’s book on The Aurelian Wall and the Refashioning of Imperial Rome AD 271-855. He worked on this book as a Fellow of the American Academy with Kim Bowes in 2006. His book helped me to conceive of these walls in a new way, as urban growth boundaries. The AAR has arranged for my wife and me to meet Hendrik Dey for dinner.
Have you had any other useful exchanges or collaborations with scholars at the American Academy?
All the time! I met Edward Hoagland upon my arrival and I’ve also had fruitful talks with Bill Franklin and Susan Hockfield. I also received useful feedback during my Shop Talk, which I plan to follow up.
What aspect of your project are you most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the final chapter of a longer process that will involve the creation of a written project for advocacy purposes.
What's surprised you most about living in Rome?
Faulkner said, “The past is not dead, the past is not even past.” The continuity of the cultural history of this city is surprising. The obelisks in front of every church really speak to that continuity and multi-millennial stream. San Clemente church was another great example of this flow of history. I’m also surprised by how small the historic center is and how much there is within in. We’ve walked every inch of the city.
How do you anticipate your visit as Preservationist in Residence will influence future work?
It has opened up an entirely new facet of my work and has persuaded me that it is definitely time to get writing. I’m a practitioner and advocate, rather than an academic or urban planner, so I had not previously concentrated my attention on the real need to synthesize this project.
What is your favorite spot at the Academy?
I do my work under a lemon tree outside the Aurelian villa. It’s a prolific tree with gorgeous fruit that carries a lot of significance for me.