93648 - URBANISTICA T CON LABORATORIO

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired a solid understanding of the theoretical foundations of urban planning and will be able to analyse and interpret urban settlements from both analytical and design perspectives. They will understand the historical evolution of urban planning in relation to changing planning needs and will become familiar with the fundamental concepts, parameters and principles underlying the development of urban plans, from their origins to the most recent innovations.

Within the design studio, students will apply urban analysis methodologies to a real urban context in order to identify development opportunities and formulate design concepts aimed at guiding future urban transformations.

Course contents

The course addresses the theoretical, methodological and operational foundations of urban planning, with particular emphasis on the analysis, interpretation and design of cities and territories.

The course is organised into the following modules.

Fundamentals of Urban Planning

• Origins and development of urban planning as an autonomous discipline.
• Major urban planning theories and models.
• Evolution of urban planning in Italy.

Urban Planning Instruments and Techniques

• Municipal urban plan: objectives and main contents.
• Fundamental elements of urban planning:
  • zoning;
  • planning standards;
  • urban planning indices and parameters;
  • territorial facilities and public services;
  • land expropriation and land rent.
• Evolution of planning models: from regulatory planning to strategic planning.

Urban and Territorial Analysis

• Methods for urban and territorial analysis.
• Morphological, functional and environmental analysis.
• Mobility analysis and socio-economic context analysis.
• Public spaces and urban quality.
• Perceptual analysis.
• Application of QGIS for territorial analysis.

From Analysis to Strategy and Design

• Development of the knowledge framework.
• Interpretative synthesis of territorial characteristics.
• Definition of urban regeneration strategies.
• Development of the design concept.
• Critical analysis of best practices and reference projects.

Urban Regeneration and Sustainability

• Historic city centre regeneration.
• Urban sprawl.
• Urban renewal.
• Urban regeneration.
• Land consumption.

Design Studio

The design studio focuses on the development of an urban planning project for a real case study selected by the instructors. Activities include:

• preparation of the knowledge framework;
• territorial analysis using QGIS;
• identification of strengths, weaknesses and development potential of the study area;
• development of the design concept;
• production of graphical and cartographic outputs;
• public presentation and discussion of the design proposals.

Readings/Bibliography

didactic material on https://virtuale.unibo.it/

P. Gabellini (2024) Avvicinarsi all'urbanistica. Approaching Urbanism, Planum Publisher, Roma-Milano

L. Gaeta, U. Janin Rivolin, L. Mazza, GOVERNO DEL TERRITORIO E PIANIFICAZIONE SPAZIALE, CittaStudi, Milano, 2021

E. Salzano (2003) Fondamenti di urbanistica. La storia e la norma. Laterza, Bari

P. Gabellini (2001) Tecniche urbanistiche, Carocci, Roma.

G. Astengo (1966) URBANISTICA. In Enciclopedia Universale dell’Arte, vol. XIV, Venezia, Sansoni

Lynch,K. Site planning, MIT, Boston, 1974

Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings (6th ed.). Island Press

B. Bonfantini (2017) Dentro l’urbanistica, FrancoAngeli, Milano

Teaching methods

The course combines theoretical instruction, practical activities and design-based learning through a variety of complementary teaching methods.

The teaching activities include:

• lectures introducing the theoretical and methodological foundations of urban planning;
• thematic seminars delivered by practitioners, experts and invited guest speakers;
• guided practical exercises aimed at applying theoretical knowledge and preparing students for the design studio activities;
• analysis and discussion of case studies;
• a compulsory group-based design studio, including urban and territorial analysis, design development, site visits, and intermediate and final review seminars;
• regular tutorials and design reviews;
• structured formative feedback throughout the learning process;
• peer-review activities among student groups;
• optional assessed individual exercises designed to consolidate theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The course also promotes an inclusive and collaborative learning environment through diversified teaching approaches, encouraging active student participation, individual consultations with the instructors, and an equitable distribution of responsibilities within group work.

Assessment methods

Assessment integrates the evaluation of the design work carried out during the studio with an individual assessment of students' theoretical knowledge and applied competences.

The final assessment consists of the following components.

Design Studio

The design studio assessment evaluates:

• the quality and depth of territorial analyses;
• the coherence and effectiveness of the design proposal;
• the quality of graphic and cartographic representation.

During the semester, two compulsory review seminars (mid-term and final) are held, during which student groups publicly present and discuss the progress and outcomes of their projects and receive collective feedback from the instructors.

Individual Oral Examination

The oral examination assesses students' ability to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts covered during the course;
• establish connections among the different topics addressed;
• analyse and interpret urban and territorial issues;
• integrate theoretical knowledge with design activities;
• communicate and justify technical and planning choices using appropriate disciplinary terminology.

Optional Assessed Individual Exercises

Optional individual exercises assess specific theoretical competences and may contribute up to one additional mark to the final grade.

Final Grade Awarding Criteria

The assessment of the Design Studio is a prerequisite for admission to the oral examination and determines the maximum final grade that may be awarded.

Specifically:

• students obtaining a Design Studio grade between 9 and 10 may achieve a final grade of 30/30 with honours (cum laude);
• students obtaining a Design Studio grade between 8 (inclusive) and 9 (exclusive) may achieve a maximum final grade of 30/30;
• students obtaining a Design Studio grade between 7 (inclusive) and 8 (exclusive) may achieve a maximum final grade of 28/30;
• students obtaining a Design Studio grade between 6 (inclusive) and 7 (exclusive) may achieve a maximum final grade of 26/30.

Although optional, the assessed individual exercises may contribute up to one additional mark to the final grade, regardless of the Design Studio grade achieved.

Students who obtain a Design Studio grade below 6/10 are required to revise and improve their project work before being admitted to the oral examination

 

 

Teaching tools

Teaching activities are supported through the following resources:

• the University's online learning platform, used to provide teaching materials and course documentation;
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with particular emphasis on QGIS, for territorial analysis and spatial representation;
• graphical and cartographic materials produced during practical classes and the design studio;
• case studies and reference projects discussed during lectures and seminars;
• regular design reviews and formative feedback;
• intermediate and final review seminars for the presentation and discussion of students' project work.

Responsible Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

The responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is permitted exclusively as a support tool for individual study and, within the design studio, for non-substantive activities such as brainstorming, literature and source organisation, and representation support (e.g. photomontages or visualisations).

The use of AI must:

• be explicitly acknowledged in all submitted coursework;
• be accompanied by a critical evaluation and verification of the generated outputs;
• comply with the University's academic integrity policies and ethical standards.

Students remain solely responsible for the interpretation of results, design decisions, critical analyses, and the final production of all submitted work.

Office hours

See the website of Elisa Conticelli

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