19132 - History of Modern and Contemporary Town Planning (1)

Learning outcomes

Students should acquire a basic knowledge of the history of Italian town planning in the XVIIIth and XIXth Century, with an interdisciplinary approach by which instruments and town-planning theories are presented in the political, social and cultural environment from which they emerged.

Course contents

The course addresses Italian town planning in the XVIIIth and XIXth Century, through several case studies (Turin,  Genoa,  Florence and Naples). It is a period of extensive changes, when the demographic stagnation comes to an end and the urban population begins to grow. The industrial revolution, manifesting itself in Italy with different rhythms and timing than other countries, goes side by side with scientific and technological developments, which, in turn, contribute to a revolution in transportation. The railway represents a sensational element in the urban design.  The functions carried out by the city become thus more complex and require the definition of suitable instruments for the regulation and management of urban spaces, as town planning, development and renewal planning, building regulations. The operations involving changes in the physical structure of the city concern first of all its shape, which expands as a result of the demolition of the city walls, and the road network, the green areas, new kind of buildings for department stores, fair pavillions, shopping malls and popular housing. Finally, the modernization process addresses public utilities, waterworks, sewers and urban transportation. 

The approach to the space and formal aspect of the city goes through an interdisciplinary analysis of public initiatives and activities in the private sector, which are interpreted through economical, political and social processes and connected to the cultural environment of the time.

The XIXth Century city, due to the new importance it gains, becomes not only the subject of study of specialized technicians, such as engineers and architects, but also receives the attentions of writers and artists who depict it in their works of literature and visual arts. It becomes a debate topic for politicians, journalists and scholars in various subjects. A special focus is dedicated to the perception of urban space on the part of philosophers, with particular reference to the works of Friedrich Nietzsche.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbooks for the exam

P. P. Penzo, La città italiana prima dell'Unità. Milano, Torino, Genova (1700-1861), Bologna, Clueb, 2000. Read the whole book except chapter 2 (the city of Milan, from page 37 to page 84).

P. Sica, Storia dell'urbanistica. L'Ottocento, Roma- Bari, Laterza, 1977. Chapter six, paragraph three (Le vicende urbanistiche di Firenze nella seconda metà dell'Ottocento), pages 441 to 464.

T. Buddensieg, L'Italia di Nietzsche. Città, giardini, palazzi. Milano, Libri Scheiwiller, 2007. Preface, chapter one, chapter two, chapter five and chapter seven. Pages 9 to 79, pages 152 to 167, pages 188 to 255.

General reference

Londra tra realtà e invenzione, edited by M. Bonsante Basile, Venezia, Marsilio, 2005; L. Benevolo, La città del ventesimo secolo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2005;  C. Zimmermann, L'era delle metropoli. Urbanizzazione e sviluppo della grande città, Bologna, il Mulino, 2004. D. Calabi, Storia dell'urbanistica europea. Questioni, strumenti, casi esemplari, Torino, Paravia Bruno Mondadori Editore, 2004; Architettura ferroviaria in Italia. Ottocento,  Atti del convegno di studi, Firenze 13-14 novembre 2003, edited by E. Godoli, M. Cozzi, Palermo, Flaccovio Editore, 2004; Architettura ferroviaria in Italia. Novecento,  Atti del convegno di studi, Palermo 11-13 dicembre 2003, edited by E. Godoli, A.J. Lima, Palermo, Flaccovio Editore, 2004; J. Rykwert, La seduzione del luogo. Storia e futuro della città, Torino, Einaudi, 2003; G. Fera, Urbanistica. Teorie e storia, Roma, Gangemi, 2002; I classici dell'urbanistica moderna, edited by P. Di Biagi, Roma, Donzelli, 2002; G. Piccinato, Un mondo di città, Torino, Einaudi, 2002; F. Finotto, La città aperta, Storia delle teorie urbanistiche moderne, Venezia, Marsilio 2001; G. Zucconi, La città dell'Ottocento, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2001; A. Mioni, Metamorfosi d'Europa. Popolamento, campagne, infrastrutture e città, 1750-1950, Bologna, Editrice Compositori, 1999; G. Morbelli, Città e piani d'Europa. La formazione dell'urbanistica contemporanea, Bari, Dedalo, 1997. P. Sica, Storia dell'urbanistica. Il  Novecento, Roma-Bari, Laterza 1996; B. Fortier, Amate città, Milano, Electa, 1995; B. Gravagnuolo, La progettazione  urbana in Europa. 1760-1960, Roma-Bari, Laterza 1991; P. P. Penzo, Parigi dopo Haussmann. Urbanistica e politica alla fine dell'Ottocento (1871-1900), Firenze, Alinea, 1990; G. Zucconi, La città contesa. Dagli ingegneri sanitari agli urbanisti (1885-1942), Milano, Jaca Book, 1989; A. Caracciolo, La città moderna e contemporanea, Napoli, Guida Editori, 1982; A. Restucci, Città e architettura nell'Ottocento, in  Storia dell'arte  italiana. Dal Cinquecento all'Ottocento, Parte II, Vol. II, Torino, Einaudi, 1982, pp.725-790, tav. 684-767; Le città capitali,  edited by C. De Seta, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1977; P. Sica, Storia dell'urbanistica. L'Ottocento, 2 volumi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1977 e 1980.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal classes with a theoretical approach and presentation of iconographical material, consisting of blueprints, city planning schemes, drawings of architectural structures and photographs. Guided tours are planned to exhibitions and some urban complexes.

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview, aimed to the assessment of the students knowledge of the basics of the history of urban studies, as outlined in the programme, and their skill in reading and interpreting images.

Teaching tools

Presentation of digital images and slides of blueprints, cartographical surveys, city planning schemes, photographs, drawings of architectural structures and building complexes.

Office hours

See the website of Pier Paola Penzo