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Aim of the course and educational objectives:

The aim of the course is to explore the field of protection and enhancement of historic urban quarters and sites, both in its theoretical principles and in its practical applications. Of particular importance is the understanding of the historical stratigraphy of settlements and cities, and the analysis of the actual present form of urban sites as a result of the long evolution and planning interventions on the city space.

The study of the stratigraphy of the urban sites includes all layers of the last centuries and identifies as a field of research not only the original urban core, but takes into account the consecutive phases of its evolution and transformation, making thus necessary a new ‘reading’ of the historical urban heritage.

In this perspective, the protection urban sites is approached in relation with the historical evolution of towns during the last centuries, taking into consideration the city planning interventions carried out in the urban context, as exemplified by representative case studies.

Course Content

- The emergence and development of the protection of historic urban sites in Europe and Greece from the end of the 19^ου th century to the present day will be developed. Emphasis will be placed on the way inherited urban space was affected by planning interventions, as well as on the urban and architectural artefacts which survived throughout its evolution.

- The principles for the conservation of urban quarters and sites as established since several decades will be discussed, and the revision and enrichment of their philosophy and practice adopted by relevant European and international bodies will be underlined.

- Finally, contemporary practices will be presented and evaluated through specific examples from Europe and Greece.

Students’ assignment: A short written assignment related to a case study concerning the implementation of an urban protection project in Europe or Greece.

Teaching support: Lectures enriched with visual material.

Assessment: The assessment is based on the written assignment produced by the students (100%)