The course consists of two sections: an introductory section and a monographic section. The introductory section focuses on the main theories and models with which the city has been thought and conceptualized in the last two centuries. The second section investigates in more depth a specific topic which may change from year to year. This is aimed to deepening and understanding in more depth the main problems related to urban theory.
1. Fainstein S., Campbell, S., Readings in Urban Theory, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
2. Le Corbusier, The Athens Charter. New York: Grossman Publishers, 1973.
3. Jacobs J., The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Vintage, 1961, pp. 3-25; 143-151.
4. Jencks C., The Language of Postmodern Architecture. New York: Rizzoli International, 1972, pp. 7-37.
5. Augoyard J.F., Step by Step: Everyday Walks in a French Urban Housing Project, University of Minnesota Press, 2007.
6. Dagen Bloom N., Umbach F., Vale L.J., Public Housing Myths. Perception, reality, and Social Policy. Ithaca (NY): Cornell UP, 2015, pp. 1-118.
Further readings will be provided during the course.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge: the course aims to provide students with basic knowledge about the development of urban theories over the last two centuries.
Skills: the course aims to prepare students to critically understanding the relationship between urban theories and urban policies.
Capacities: the course introduces students to the critical assessment of urban policies.
Prerequisites
A basic knowledge about the main trends of modern western thought in social sciences is expected. Students are expected to be acquainted with the main theoretical and methodological approaches in Geography.
Teaching Methods
The first part of the course is based on frontal teaching, supported by audio-visual material, and introduces to the main urban theories. The second part focuses on housing policies and the trajectory of ascent, decline and revaluation of modernist architecture and planning. In the third and last part, we will focus on a case study and the student will have to write a paper on a topic to be agreed with the teacher.
Further information
Attending classes is mandatory. Individual programs are permitted only in special cases.
Type of Assessment
Learning improvement will be verified evaluating the paper written by the student and through a written exam on subjects handled during the lectures.
Course program
The first part of the course is dedicated to deepening the main theories; the second part examines urban theory through the' lens' of the debate on modernist architecture and planning; the third part focuses on a case study.
For the preparation of the written test, in addition to the regular frequency, the following texts must be read:
1. Fainstein S., Campbell, S., Readings in Urban Theory, Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
2. Le Corbusier, The Athens Charter. New York: Grossman Publishers, 1973.
3. Jacobs J., The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Vintage, 1961, pp. 3-25; 143-151.
4. Jencks C., The Language of Postmodern Architecture. New York: Rizzoli International, 1972, pp. 7-37.
5. Augoyard J.F., Step by Step: Everyday Walks in a French Urban Housing Project, University of Minnesota Press, 2007.
6. Dagen Bloom N., Umbach F., Vale L.J., Public Housing Myths. Perception, reality, and Social Policy. Ithaca (NY): Cornell UP, 2015, pp. 1-118.