I am living in Italy temporarily and recently visited Bologna. I was impressed by all the porticoes. Being a practical person, I wondered why they had been built. I read something about the city of Bologna mandating they be built because of something to do with public private land use and the private use not encroaching on the public use, which was why they were built. As is was a translation, it was a little unclear, I could not actually understand what they meant. If anyone could explain, I would appreciate it.

thanks

rod baker