La città storica contemporanea: genius loci e genius saeculi

Luisa Bravo

doi:10.6092/issn.2036-1602/2162

Authors

Luisa Bravo University of Bologna

She holds a MSc five year degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Bologna - marks 100/100 - and a Doctoral degree in Building and Territorial Engineering from the University of Bologna. She collaborated in research programs in Italy promoted by Emilia-Romagna Region, by the Institute of Artistical, Cultural and Natural Heritage of Emilia-Romagna Region and by the Department of Architecture and Territorial Planning of University of Bologna. She also collaborated in research programs developed by Faculty of Architecture of Bologna in collaboration with MIBAC - Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Environmental Conservation, both for the Regional Department in Emilia-Romagna and for the Main Office in Rome (PaBAAC ex PARC).
Presently she carries out post-doctoral research activities at the Department of Architecture and Territorial Planning of the University of Bologna and she collaborates on teaching activities concerning Urbanism courses. Her research interests include urban design for the planning and restoration of towns, analysis and studies on contemporary architecture within historical urban contexts, representation of urban patterns and architectural heritage through digital database models, theory and projects regarding public spaces in consolidated and suburban areas.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.2036-1602/2162

Keywords:

genius loci, genius saeculi, contemporary historic city,

Abstract

Recent literature shows the limits of modern town-planning theory in front of the complexity of a new world which is the result of political, economic and social transformation. The genius loci in the historical dimension of the city is what survives to the ever changing functional structures and confers an indelible character to the city and the urban landscape, through different urban phenomena but part of a single and recognizable experience. The contemporary dimension of historical city, namely genius saeculi, requires a continuous updating of the collective themes, of public spaces and contents that are assigned to the historical forms from people who lives and inhabit those places, and the inclusion of new meanings, new values, new forms of social life. Hence this is the challenge for the new Millennium: conciliating the spirit of place, genius loci, with the spirit of time, genius saeculi, retrieving history values through their preservation and combining them in the present time through a sustainable model.

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Contemporary historic city: genius loci and genius saeculi

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