The Old Town of Taranto: Architectural Reading of the Historic Urban Form for the Correct Methodology for Restoration Project the Built Heritage in the Island

Abstract

The contribution is based on an architecture analysis , which took place through a series of campaigns of relief carried out during 2013 throughout the urban fabric of the old city of Taranto. This analysis interest morphological and typological aspects of some important buildings located along the principal axis of the ancient Taranto, highlighting and updating each case , the structural and technological problems of each building . In recent times, the critical situation of total decay of the old city of Taranto, caused the collapse of an entire complex of buildings, especially in the lower part of the urban area, and whole sections of the ancient city are closed through infill walls along the principal roads. The analysis of the typological systems, of the urban form and technological systems of the island's buildings, would fill a scientific gap caused by the lack of a systematic study on the urban fabric of the old city and its architectural potential It is necessary and urgent to focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the old town of Taranto, in order to provide a methodological and updated tool, aligned with the most modern techniques of diagnosis and relief on buildings, which could direct future interventions of urban regeneration and of enhancement of historic / architectural centre.