“Per urbanistica intendo […] le tracce di un vasto insieme di pratiche: quelle del continuo e consapevole modificare lo stato del territorio e della città“
B. Secchi, Prima lezione di urbanistica, 2000
Rodolfo Brancato, scientific head of the Laboratory, teaches Urbanism of the Ancient World for the degree course in Archaeology and History of Art (N70) at the University of Naples ‘Federico II’.
The course in Urbanism of the Ancient World offers an in-depth look at the birth and development of cities in antiquity, with a particular focus on the Greek and Roman worlds. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the course provides students with theoretical and practical tools for the analysis of the urban and territorial structure of ancient civilisations.
Course objectives
- Knowledge of the Ancient City
The course provides a historical view of urban evolution, using the tools of ancient topography to interpret phenomena such as settlement processes, infrastructural organisation and urban architecture. - Topographical analysis skills
Students will learn to independently decode the ancient urban and territorial landscape, using advanced epistemological tools such as historical cartography, photo-interpretation and geognostic surveys. - Study of Greek and Roman urban planning processes
The main urban planning processes from the Archaic period to the Roman conquest will be studied in depth, with a focus on Athens and the cities of Magna Graecia and Sicily, analysing their architectural and urban development. - Analysis of the Roman City
The course will explore the characteristics of the Roman city and of the ancient Italian territory, focusing on the cities of Campania, their public monuments and private spaces.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding: Students will acquire a solid foundation in the history of topographical and archaeological studies and develop skills in the critical analysis of ancient cities.
- Application of knowledge: They will be able to contextualise urban planning processes and use methodological tools for the study of ancient cities.
- Autonomy of judgement: The course will provide the tools to autonomously analyse settlement dynamics and urban evolution in the ancient world.
- Communication skills: Students will be able to present clear and structured papers on urban issues, using the appropriate technical language.
- Learning Abilities: The course will promote a critical and autonomous approach to research, providing the tools to deepen issues related to ancient town planning in academic and professional fields.
Course programme
- Introduction to ancient town planning: concepts and definitions
- Topography as a tool for the study of ancient cities
- History of Greek and Roman town planning
- The organisation of cities: the polis system
- The cities of Magna Graecia and Sicily: evolution and characteristics
- The Roman city in ancient Italy: urban structure and organisation of the territory
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