Back o Future. Morpho-typological approach and environmental performance of urban fabrics

Abstract

Human settlements grew up over time due to the action of many generations, taking shape according to the local geo-climatic characteristics and resources. This article discusses the co-evolutionary, largely unintentional and complex quality of the built environment, envisaged by studies on its morphogenesis since the mid-20th Century, in its relationship to the studies on the energetic performance of building fabrics, based on an urban morphological approach. The research-and-action proposal for the adaptive reuse of a historic residential neighbourhood in China, described here, endeavours to provide fine-tuned and ‘tailor-made’ improvements, making the most of the existing quality of the built environment while meeting present-day needs and expectations of the inhabitants.