o reinforce their positions in mainland Italy. The American Army then took control of Cagliari. Cagliari was strategically important during the war because of its location in the Mediterranean Sea. Many airports were near Cagliari (Elmas, Monserrato, Decimomannu, currently a NATO airbase) from which airplanes could fly to Northern Africa or mainland Italy and Sicily.
After the war, the population of Cagliari rebounded and many apartment blocks were erected in new residential districts, often created with poor planning as for recreational areas.
Projects for the future
Over the last few years the task of large scale urban redevelopment of Cagliari has begun. Projects include the new Betile museum of Nuragic and modern art, designed by the Prizker Award winner Zaha Hadid: being built on the Sant'Elia promenade. Another project, already underway, is the Cagliari metro: the first line has already started running from Piazza Repubblica to the Cagliari suburb of Monserrato, and another will soon connect the University campus; works for other lines to all the city suburbs and the airport are planned. The promenade from the old harbour to Sant'Elia will be totally restored. The old port situated at Via Roma, will be used only as tourist and cruise port ( the cruise terminal is already finished); ferry-boats will then leave and arrive at the new port in "porto canale".
All Sant'elia district will be changed, the old ruined apartment buildings will be demolished and a new district designed by Rem Koolhaas will rise. Also the Stadium will be demolished and rebuilt as a new stadium, with 25,000 covered seats, usable for concerts and events too. On the promenade will also rise a great amphitheatre (20,000 seats) for concerts, as well as an aquarium where now is the old salt production plant. Other projects include the new district near the Santa Gilla pond (Piazza Santa Gilla), a luxurious beauty-center on the Poetto beach, where now is the
