roman townplanning

8/11/2019 Roman Townplanning

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ROMAN CITIES

PLANNING PRINCPLES:-

Romans adopted the technology and planning skills of the

Greeks. They were more advanced than the Greeks in terms

of technological skills which they used to develop betterinfrastructural facilities and construction techniques.It had two main axial roads called

CardusE-WDecumanusN-S

"Secondary streets" complete the gridiron layout and form

the building blocks known as "Insulae"

Perimeter of the city was usually square/rectangular with

bassions.Cross streets occasionally stepped and bridged around the

city due to topographical condition.

Generally rectangular walled city entered by several gates,

showing complete town organization.

From the religious significance of the Temples by the

Greeks there was a change to the civic influence of Law

Courts "Basilica" which became more important than the

public buildings.

The most important part of the city was the forum, where

political, economic, administrative, social and religious

activity were centred."Forum Area" usually located centre of

the town formed by the intersection of the Decamanus and

cardo.similar to Greek Agoras.

In big cities there were theatres, circuses, stadiums,

odeons.

TOWN PLANNING IN ANCIENT ROMAN CIVILIZATION

PLAN FORM

01

02 03

0405

Kardo

WallBastions

01:Market , 02: Forum , 03 : Basilica / Bath,

04: Theatre, 05: Amphitheatre


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ADVANCE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION:MATERIALS:

Lime-Motar, ConcreteStone-Ashar masonaryBricks

BUILDING SYSTEM:

Lintel:

Copied from the Greeks

Spaces are closed by straight lines

Vaults:

Taken from the Etrurian

Barrel vaults

Use of domes

Arches:They used half point or semicircular arches.They could use lintels above these arches.

COLONNEDSStrong stone walls with foundations were constructed so that they donot use external supports.

TRIUMPH ARCH TRAIAN COLUMN AT ROMEBRIDGE STRUCTURE


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TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT:

They were more advanced than the Greeks in terms of technological skills

which they used to develop better infrastructural facilities and construction

techniques. Lime and concrete was invented.

Applied mechanics for moving heavy masses developed.

Roads were paved with stones

Advanced system of water supply (Aqueducts &water reservoirs),

sewage system and drainage system through ducts and underground

sewers in semi-circular vaulted form were used(like cloaca maxima).

All public latrines were connected to underground sewerage system.

People normally used the public latrines leads to betterment in publichealth.

Methods of centralize heating

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT :

Power and control .

Defence and security

civic influence of Law and orderFormation of bye-laws for urban development.

ROMAN PAVED ROADS

TO MEASURE

DISTANCE

AQUEDUCTS

DEFENCE WALL WITH BASSIONS

ARCHITECTONIC TYPOLOGY:Religious building: templeCivil buildings:

Public: basilicas, bathsSpectacles: theatre, amphitheatre, circusCommemorative: Triumph arch, columnFunerary: tombs

Engineering works:BridgesAqueducts

Domestic:House, villas, Palace
http://www.flickr.com/photos/empordakoaharia/2244612961/


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THE PREHISTORIC SITE AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

OF POMPEII

Pompeii arose on a ledge of prehistoric lava flow 40m

above sea level on the side of mount Vesuvius. This

ledge had a couple of flat areas but was otherwisedislevelled with a strong slope north-south towards the

gulf. The lava flow stopped short creating a sharp cliff

hence creating a strong dominating position over the

sea.

THE POSITION WAS IDEAL IN A NUMBER OF WAYS

AND PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE CITYS

FORTUNES:

It allowed control of the trading route between

Stabiae and Naples as well as a dominating position

with respect to the riverSarno, therefore enabling

control of the access inland from the sea.

Access to sea allowed long distance trade, particularly

with north Africa and towards the Orient.

Lastly the volcanic nature of the surrounding terrainmade it extremely fertile and suited to growing

agricultural produce, olives (oil) and wine.

TOWN PLANNING IN POMPEII

NAPLES

STABIAE


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TOWN PLANNING IN POMPEII

Pompeian architecture is the subsequent influences

of different cultures, starting with the Samnites,

followed by the Etruscans, Greek colonies and

finally Romans.

The earlier Samnite-Etruscan city was the westernpart of Pompeii with the Forum, main temples and

public buildings. A more organic approach to urban

development is plainly visible.

The rigorous grid structure of Greek cities, is most

evident in the Eastern part of the city, near the

amphitheatre with boulevard-like parallel

streets"decuriones, (W-E) connected by cross

streets ("cardines", N-S) creating rectangular

blocks of buildings ("insulae")

Pompeii is an irregular oval area of about 66

hectors, planted on a small natural hill and girt with

a stone wall nearly two miles in circumference .

On the west there was originally access to the sea.

Near western end of the town is the Forum, with

the principal temples and public buildings round it.At the east end of the town, nearly 1200 yds. from

the western extremity, is the amphitheatre. the

town-walls appear to have been drawn so as to

include it.

Three major road arteries contributed to

subdivision of the city. This subdivision allows us to

identify the coordinates of the various houses in

ancient Pompeii by using a 3 digit coordinate

system:


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FOUNTAINS

STREET JUNCTION WITH FOUNTAIN


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STREET WITH BARRIER TO CONTROL CART ENTRY

RAISED PEDSTERIANS WITH FOUINTAINS

AND DIRECT ENTRY TO HOUSES


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PLAN OF POMPEII

AQUEDUCTS BATHS

STREETS

AMPITHEATER

COLOSSEUM

FORUM OF POMPEII

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