The morphological basis of urban design: experiments in Giudecca, Venice

Abstract

Reconciling progress, on the one hand, and conservation of a rich legacy of physical forms from the past on the other, is a major challenge. In the case of Venice significant change is only possible in its outlying districts, such as Giudecca, since only measures preserving the fabric of the buildings are permitted in the Centro Storico. Giudecca island is used as a case study to explore ways of integrating new ideas in an area which is very much shaped by its historical development. Analysis of the present urban fabric and comparison of different recent design strategies offer solutions to future development of the island.