Architectural legacies of Aldo Rossi and Giancarlo De Carlo

The publication of Aldo Rossi’s ‘L’architettura della città’ (The Architecture of the City) in 1966 marked a significant shift in modern architectural historiography. Released alongside Robert Venturi’s ‘Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture’, Rossi’s work challenged the dogmatic functionalism of the Modern Movement. His theories proposed a paradigm shift that restored historical density, disciplinary autonomy, and collective dimension to urban architecture.

In Urbino, Italy, the cultural legacy of architect Giancarlo De Carlo continues to be debated decades after his death. While De Carlo was a primary advocate for renewing the city and university spaces, many of his urban planning visions, such as improved railway connectivity and specific mobility solutions, have not been realized due to political and economic challenges. Current local officials, including Urban Planning Councilor Maurizio Bartoli, are working on a new general urban plan alongside architect Mario Cucinella, aiming to build upon De Carlo’s foundational ideas.