TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: VIVIANA PAPPALARDO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course offers a comprehensive understanding of spatial planning, focusing on recent changes in the Italian planning context and providing a general awareness of European policy frameworks. It examines the evolution of planning norms and regulations at national and regional levels alongside key advancements in international planning culture, with regard to different spatial scales. Students will explore the complexity of planning processes — from analysis to decision-making — and their role in driving physical, social, and environmental transformations. The course also covers the integration between spatial and sectoral planning, encompassing transport, water resources, landscape, and risk assessment. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are embedded as a core analytical environment for spatial data processing, land-use mapping, and evidence-based plan development. Spatial planning is approached as a set of techniques for programming, designing, and managing land and cities toward a balanced and sustainable use of resources.

Upon completion of the course, students will be familiar with the relevant regulatory framework and the main trends in international disciplinary evolution. They will also understand the complexity of planning processes and the rationale behind integrating comprehensive planning with sectoral planning. The acquired skills will translate into the ability to distinguish the phases of the planning process, moving coherently from the analytical-knowledge phase to the formulation of strategic decisions; the ability to use open-source GIS software as a working environment; and the ability to apply selected urban design techniques to steer the physical and environmental transformations of cities and territories toward territorial risk mitigation. Students will develop their own independent judgment by conducting urban and territorial analyses on assigned case studies, evaluating the results obtained, and working on the drafting of alternative project proposals compared to the current state of affairs. Furthermore, students will develop the ability to clearly communicate complex concepts related to spatial governance, using the appropriate disciplinary and regulatory lexicon. They will also develop specific skills in the spatial representation of territorial analyses within a GIS environment. The analytical-design process applied to the case studies will be structured as a group activity, which includes the preparation of multimedia oral presentations. Students will thus be able to develop an autonomous study method useful for assimilating the continuous regulatory, technological, and cultural evolutions that characterize urban and territorial planning, as well as a methodological approach for engaging and communicating with a mixed audience of stakeholders (technical professionals, decision-makers, etc.).

Course Structure

The course (60 hours) is structured in lectures, exercises and supplementary seminars. Lectures frame the relation between theoretical and technical issues that characterise spatial planning. Best practices will be offered in the supplementary lectures.

The course is divided into multiple lecture-based and interactive teaching sessions, which may also run in parallel. The first module provides a general overview of the fundamental concepts of spatial and urban planning: technical urbanism vs. continuous planning, the role of planning in the public domain, and the transition to action. The second module aims to delve deeper into current planning instruments (at urban, metropolitan, and regional levels) that students will encounter in practice, highlighting main limitations and emphasizing the need for research aimed at achieving greater effectiveness. A third module addresses the themes of sustainable development, environmental risks, environmental, sector, and landscape planning, as well as territorial quality as foundational factors for local development.

The lecture-based sessions (39 hours) are primarily focused on acquiring learning outcomes related to disciplinary knowledge and understanding.

The practical exercises (21 hours) —designed to develop the ability to apply disciplinary knowledge and understanding, as well as transversal skills in reasoning, communication, and autonomous learning (soft skills)—will be carried out in student groups and developed within a GIS environment.

During the project/exercise, students will be guided by teachers in a completing a set of assignments on urban analysis and design: teachers will provide support for the collaborative activity at every stage of the exercise, which is based on assigning case studies to the student groups.

Required Prerequisites

A preliminary knowledge of GIS software is recommended, which will be introduced during the course. Basic digital skills in using spreadsheets (Excel) and presentation software (PowerPoint) are considered very useful.

Attendance of Lessons

Students must formally register for the course and register on STUDIUM.IT. Attendance is strongly recommended for both lectures and the laboratory, particularly to ensure continuity of the exercises.

Students who have completed the analytical and design papers required to comprehensively define the assigned topic will be admitted to the final exam.

Detailed Course Content

Below are specifically detailed some of the topics of the lessons:

Basic concepts: land and planning
Definitions of cities, definitions of spatial planning (Astengo)
Technical urban planning vs continuous planning. The scientific approach
Planning and the public domain (Friedmann)
Territorial urban plans (synoptic framework).
The Sicilian Urban Planning Law (LR 19/2020)
PUG: Contents and Procedures
Tools for the territorial analysis of the plan: iconographies and cartographies
Urban/building parameters. Zoning and Standards
The regional Geographic Information System Portal
PUG: case studies
Areas protected by law
Risks and Sustainable Development
Environmental Planning: Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas
Environmental planning: Natura 2000 network, SCIs and SPAs
The landscape: definitions. Introduction to landscape planning: Legislative Decree 42/2004 (Urban Code)
Landscape Plan: from the Guidelines of the regional PTPR to the Landscape Plans
Examples of Landscape Plans for Sicily
Sectorial Planning: water and transport (PGRA, PAI, PIIM, PUMS)
Geographical Information Systems for spatial planning

Textbook Information

Presentations of the lectures
Luca Gaeta, Umberto Janin Rivolin, Luigi Mazza (Autore), 2021, Governo del territorio e pianificazione spaziale, Città Studi Editore
Friedman, J. (1993), Pianificazione e dominio pubblico. Dalla conoscenza all’azione, Dedalo, Bari
Magnaghi, A. (2000), Il progetto locale, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino.
Martinico F, Nigrelli FCN,(2008) I Piani Territoriali Paesaggistici della Provincia di Enna, Quaderni Urbanistica 53, INU.

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Basic concepts: land and planning	Lecture Slides and notes
2	Definitions of cities, definitions of spatial planning (Astengo)	Lecture Slides and notes
3	Planning and the public domain (Friedmann)	Lecture Slides and notes
4	The Three-Tier Planning Hierarchy - Territorial urban plans (synoptic frameworks).	Lecture Slides and notes
5	The Sicilian Urban Planning Law (LR 19/2020)	Lecture Slides and notes
6	PUG: Contents and Procedures	Lecture Slides and notes
7	Tools for the territorial analysis of the plan: iconographies and cartographies	Lecture Slides and notes
8	Urban/building parameters. Zoning and Standards	Lecture Slides and notes
9	Areas protected by law and Landscape norms	Lecture Slides and notes
10	Risks and Sustainable Development	Lecture Slides and notes
11	Environmental Planning: Parks, Reserves and Protected AreasEnvironmental planning: Natura 2000 network, SCIs and SPAs	Lecture Slides and notes
12	The landscape: definitions. Introduction to landscape planning: Legislative Decree 42/2004 (Urban Code)	Lecture Slides and notes
13	Landscape Plan: Guidelines of the regional PTPRExamples of Landscape Plans for Sicily	Lecture Slides and notes
14	Geographical Information Systems	Lecture Slides and notes
15	Sectorial Planning	Lecture Slides and notes

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam consists of a presentation of the exercises and the final project (group presentation) and an oral exam (individual) on the topics covered during the course.
The oral exam can be taken after completing the presentation of the given exercise and project

REFERENCES FOR EVALUATION

The final grade is awarded out of 30, based on the following main evaluation criteria:

-Theoretical and regulatory knowledge

-Exercise/Case Study: Spatial analysis and planning in a GIS environment

-Presentation and graphics

Fail / Unsatisfactory

Subject knowledge and understanding: Significant deficiencies and inaccuracies; severe conceptual gaps.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Irrelevant; frequent generalizations; completely inappropriate use of references; spatial analysis and mapping essentially incomplete and flawed; planning proposals unsatisfactory or contrasting with current best practices; inability to present the work; incomplete deliverables.

18–20

Subject knowledge and understanding: Very modest; evident imperfections.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Barely sufficient; barely appropriate use of references; partial spatial analysis and mapping with errors or gaps in interpreting the territorial context; weak planning proposals with poor consideration of emerging principles and approaches; hesitant use of GIS; confusing presentation; severe difficulty in using urban planning terminology.

21–23

Subject knowledge and understanding: Scarcely more than sufficient knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Fair analysis and synthesis skills; argues in a logical and coherent manner; standard use of references; partial spatial analysis and mapping with sufficient accuracy in interpreting the territorial context; planning proposals aligned with emerging principles and approaches; sufficiently autonomous use of GIS; hesitant presentation; minimal use of urban planning terminology.

24–26

Subject knowledge and understanding: Good knowledge; correct and autonomous answers.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Good analysis and synthesis skills; arguments are presented coherently; standard use of references; substantially complete spatial analysis and mapping with few imperfections; effective, well-structured planning proposals; autonomous use of GIS; readable deliverables and sufficient but disorganized graphics; language occasionally non-technical.

27–29

Subject knowledge and understanding: Very good knowledge; correct and autonomous answers.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Remarkable analysis and synthesis skills; coherent use of references; complete spatial analysis and mapping without evident imperfections; structured and in-depth planning proposals; advanced use of GIS; highly readable deliverables and well-designed graphics; clear presentation and appropriate terminology.

30–30 cum laude

Subject knowledge and understanding: Excellent knowledge; absolute mastery of theoretical content.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Outstanding analysis and synthesis skills; smooth and critical connections; appropriate use of references with significant insights; complete and correct spatial analysis and mapping; innovative, feasible planning solutions consistent with higher-level planning frameworks; advanced use of GIS with autonomous insights in its applications. High-impact boards/slides; respect for time limits; advanced technical/specialized language.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Technical urbanism vs. continuous planning. The scientific method
How are the levels of Spatial Planning structured, and what tools does it use to support land governance?
Stated principles and explicit objectives of regional legislation on land governance (Regional Law 19/2020 as amended)
What are the contents of a PUG (General Urban Plan)? How is the PUG drafting and approval procedure structured in Sicily?
Methodological elements, technical references, and regulatory frameworks for drafting hydraulic compatibility studies
What is the equalization of development rights? According to which models can it be implemented?
Calculation of urban/building parameters and planning standards
List the areas protected by law according to the Urbani Code (Legislative Decree 42/2004) and describe how the concept of "protection" is applied by landscape planning tools
Environmental planning: Parks, Reserves, and Protected Areas
Environmental planning: Natura 2000 Network, SCIs (Sites of Community Importance), and SPAs (Special Protection Areas)
Landscape Plan: Guidelines of the regional PTPR (Regional Landscape Territorial Plan)
What are the characteristics of GIS data, and how are these data used and managed by the software?
Spatial risk analysis and calculation of risk components

Degree Course in

Water and Transportation Civil Engineering