The Urban Design Studio will focus on the Tiber River. The river, which was Rome's primary geographic, topographic and economic raison d'être, has over the years been cutoff from the city due to recurring floods and their remedy, the late ninteenth century river embankments. The studio will examine several key sites and stretches along the river and develop proposals and models to restore access and reintegrate the river into the daily life of the city. Continuous parallel and cross access paths and facilities will be integrated into the high embankment walls and serve adjacent neighborhoods, the general public, and tourists. The studio will engage a variety of issues related to the Tiber River and related city-wide public space, transportation, infrastructure, and urban monuments. The project is set within the context of the 2000 City of Rome New Urban development Plan. The urban morphology class will complement and supplement the studio project providing relevant historical and theoretical background.

 

Dsn S 478/578F Urban Morphology of Rome. 3 credits

The Urban Morphology of Rome will focus on the evolving structure and form of Rome through two main linear infrastructural components: natural and built waterways (i.e., river and aqueducts) and roads. A series of walks combined with class lectures will follow the main water courses and the main roads entering and traversing the city. The study of Waters in Rome will center on their historical and contemporary commercial, social, and physical (city form/space) significance. The study of Roman Roads will highlight their military, social, economic, and ceremonial aspects.

 

LA 309 Field Trip. 1 credit