Renzo Piano, the architect renowned for The Shard in London, is to direct the building of a new bridge in Genoa to replace the one that collapsed in August with the loss of 43 lives.

Mr Piano, 81, who comes from the port city in northern Italy, has said he will work for free on the new structure, which will replace the ill-fated Morandi bridge.

“It will last for 2,000 years,” he told Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview on Wednesday.

“Bridges should not collapse. It will need to reunite a city that has been divided and to sustain pride. It will be a homage to the city I love.”

The new bridge, which is expected to cost €202 million (£182 million), is scheduled to open in 2020.