URBAN

PLANNING
Roman
Cities
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02
Origin
POMPEII

03 04
ROME Conclusion
 01
Origin
01 THE ORIGIN OF ROMAN URBANS
Early Roman Urban Planning (8th-4th century BCE): In its
early stages, Rome was a modest settlement on the
Tiber River, influenced by the Etruscans who shaped its
layout and the Greek . The adoption of the Etruscan grid
plan resulted in straight intersecting streets, dividing the
city into neighborhoods with their own temples and
public spaces.

Republican Period (509-27 BCE):During the Republican

period, Rome saw remarkable growth and urban
development. The Forum Romanum became the focal
point of the city, serving as a vibrant center for political,
commercial, and social activities, surrounded by
significant buildings like the Senate House and
Basilicas.

Imperial Period (27 BCE-476 CE): Under the Roman

Empire, urban planning flourished with emperors
leading the transformation of cities. Rome, in particular,
underwent significant reforms initiated by Emperor
Augustus, including street expansion, aqueduct
construction, and the establishment of 14 administrative
regions, showcasing the empire's commitment to
organized and functional urban spaces.
01 ABOUT

ABOUT ROMAN URBAN DESIGN

Roman urban planning was characterized
by a systematic and pragmatic approach,
aiming to create functional, efficient, and
aesthetically pleasing cities. The Romans
recognized the importance of
infrastructure, public spaces, and amenities
in fostering a sense of community and
facilitating social and economic activities.
Their ideas and achievements in urban
planning continue to inspire and inform
urban designers and planners to this day.
 01 CHARACTER AND ELEMETS OF ROMAN OF URBAN DEIGN

CHARACTERSTICS

Gridiron Street Layout

Colonial Planning
Centrality of the Forum
Street Hierarchy
Urban Expansion
Land Use Zoning
 01 CHARACTER AND ELEMETS OF ROMAN OF URBAN DEIGN

ELEMENTS
Insulae
Public Buildings and Amenities
Aqueducts and Infrastructure
Public Bathhouses (Thermae)
City Walls and Gates
Sewer Systems
Amphitheater
 02
Pompeii
The city where time stood still
 History
Pompeii is a city and commune in the Metropolitan City
of Naples, Italy, home of the ancient Roman ruins of
Pompeii that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Sites.
Its nickname of “Lost city” remembers the day in which
Mount Vesuvius buried the whole town and its
inhabitants with scorching lava and merciless
violence.(79 AD)

About a third of Pompeii is still underground.

The ruins of Pompeii provide a unique insight into
Roman urban planning during the first century AD
which gives Opportunity to experience a common day in
Roman Empire.

Imperial period(27 BC-476 AD)

 Temples
and
Religious
Structures Houses
and
Public Baths
Insulae

Amphitheater
Gridiron Water supply
street
layout
Central
forum
 Gridiron
street layout
The city had a network of narrow streets that
intersected at right angles, forming rectangular blocks.
The main streets were wider and called "cardines" and
"decumani,"
 Central
forum
The Forum was the central square of Pompeii and
served as the commercial, administrative, and social
hub of the city. It was surrounded by important public
buildings, including the Basilica, which served as a law
court and meeting place, the Macellum (marketplace),
and various shops and offices. The Forum was a
bustling center of activity and a gathering place for the
citizens.
 Temples and
Religious
Structures
Temple of Apollo Temple of Jupiter
Pompeii had several temples dedicated to various
deities. The Temple of Apollo, Temple of Jupiter,
Temple of Venus, and Temple of Isis were among the
notable religious structures in the city. These temples
were important centers of religious and civic life, and
they often featured elaborate architectural designs and
sculptures.

Temple of Temple of Isis

Venus
 Houses and
Insulae
A mix of residential buildings, ranging from grand
houses of the wealthy to more modest apartments. The
houses were often built around central courtyards and
had multiple rooms with decorative elements such as
frescoes and mosaics. The city also had insulae, or
apartment buildings, which were multi-story structures
accommodating the urban population.
 Amphitheater

The Romans had a keen interest in entertainment and

built amphitheaters for gladiatorial combats, animal
hunts, and other spectacles. Pompeii had a well-
preserved amphitheater, which could accommodate
thousands of spectators. The Amphitheater of Pompeii
is one of the oldest surviving Roman amphitheaters.
Public Baths and
Water Supply
Roman baths, or thermae, were an essential
part of urban life. Pompeii had several public
bath complexes, such as the Stabian Baths
and the Forum Baths. These complexes
included various rooms, such as hot and cold
baths, changing rooms, exercise areas, and
social spaces.

Pompeii had a sophisticated water supply

system, known as an aqueduct, which
brought water from nearby sources to the
city. The water was distributed through a
network of pipes and channels, providing
residents with a reliable supply for domestic
use, baths, and fountains.
Insight
Mixed use aims to mix many human activities into a dense locality.
The goal: nearly everything is at your fingertips.
Or at least within walking distance.

Pompeii was primarily a walking city. Whether you needed to

visit the market, deal with official business at the basilica,
grab some fast food, or attend a theatrical production,
walking was a viable option. That included convenient paving
stones to help you traverse the refuse- and animal waste-
filled streets.

Combine Multiple Uses Into a Dense Space

Pompeii crammed it all into the town limits: residential units,

places of business, legal/municipal buildings, and
entertainment.

Notably in developing “edge cities” that are transforming

from car-oriented cultures to urban styles, local authorities
and developers are aiming to rebuild formerly single-use
areas into multi-use sites.
 03
Rome
 History
Ancient Roman urban planning in the city
of Rome evolved from a small settlement
to a grand metropolis over several
centuries. Initially influenced by Etruscan
and Greek designs, Rome's urban layout
gradually adopted a grid system. The
construction of public buildings, such as
the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus,
showcased Roman power.
During Rome's expansion as a
Mediterranean power, the city's urban
planning flourished. The Roman Forum
became the center of public life, while
aqueducts like the Aqua Appia provided a
reliable water supply. The reign of Julius
Caesar and subsequent emperors saw
significant transformations, including the
construction of grand structures like the
Colosseum and the Forum of Augustus
The Flavian and Severan emperors continued to
enhance Rome's urban fabric, erecting iconic
buildings such as the Temple of Vespasian and
Titus and the Baths of Caracalla. However, as the
empire faced challenges, the focus on urban
planning diminished. The rise of Christianity
brought the construction of Christian basilicas,
such as St. John Lateran and St. Peter's Basilica.
Despite the decline of the Roman Empire, the legacy
of ancient Roman urban planning endures. The use
of grids, monumental structures, aqueducts, and
public spaces influenced urban planning practices
for centuries. Today, the remnants of Rome's
impressive urban planning, such as the Colosseum
and the Roman Forum, stand as testament to the
city's remarkable architectural and engineering
achievements.
 FEATURES
Most features in the urban planning of the city of Rome
were common in the whole civilization’s urban prlanning
principles like: grid road System, centralization of Forum,
Aqueducts, etc.

Forum Centralization Grid road system Aqueduct

Listed below are key features of ancient Roman urban

planning believed to have huge impact for the city of
rome’s structure:
 01 Roads
The Romans were renowned for their road-building skills,
and Rome itself had an extensive network of roads that
connected it to other parts of the empire. The most
famous of these roads was the Appian Way, which
connected Rome to the southern part of Italy. The roads
were built with a strong foundation and were often paved
with stones or bricks.

02 Walls and Fortifications

Rome was originally fortified with walls to protect the city
from external threats. Over time, as the city expanded,
these walls were extended and reinforced. The most
famous example is the Aurelian Walls, built during the
reign of Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century AD. These
walls encompassed a large area of Rome and served as
a defensive barrier.
 03 Public Buildings

Rome was adorned with numerous public buildings, many of which were constructed during the imperial era.
These buildings included theaters, amphitheaters, baths, and circuses.
The Colosseum, the largest amphitheater in Rome, is a
Bathhouses were an essential part of Roman culture and prominent example of Roman architecture and engineering.
played a significant role in urban planning. These public Another one is Circus Maximus, which was an ancient Roman
baths, such as the Baths of Caracalla and the Baths of chariot racing stadium located in the valley between the
Diocletian, were elaborate structures featuring hot and Palatine and Aventine Hills. It was the largest stadium in
cold bathing facilities, saunas, exercise rooms, and social ancient Rome and could hold over 150,000 spectators. The
spaces. They provided a place for Romans to relax, circus was an important venue for public entertainment and
socialize, and maintain personal hygiene. played a crucial role in Roman urban planning, providing a
space for large-scale sporting events and festivals.

Baths of Caracalla Baths of Diocletian

The Colosseum Circus Maximus

 04 Residential Districts

Rome had various residential districts that

catered to different social classes. The wealthy
lived in large houses called domus, while the
lower classes resided in apartment buildings
known as insulae. The insulae were an integral
part of Roman urban planning. They were
constructed with multiple stories, typically
made of brick or concrete, and housed a large
number of people. The ground floors were
often used for shops or businesses, while the
upper floors consisted of living spaces. The
lower levels were more desirable due to better
ventilation and natural light, while the upper
levels were less desirable and often occupied
by the lower classes.
Roman Domus Roman Insulae
 05 Parks and Gardens

The Romans believed in the importance of green

spaces within the city. They created parks and gardens
where people could relax and enjoy nature. One
famous example is the Gardens of Sallust, which were
located near the city center and provided a peaceful
retreat from the bustling urban environment.

Gardens of Sallust

06 Triumphal Arches

Triumphal arches were monumental structures built to

commemorate military victories and to honor emperors or
important figures. These arches were often located at key
points in the city, such as entrances to important roads or
near significant public spaces. The Arch of Constantine and
the Arch of Titus are notable examples in Rome.

The Arch of Constantine

 07 Sewer System

Rome boasted an advanced sewer system known as

the Cloaca Maxima. This system was designed to
drain and carry away wastewater and rainwater from
the city. The Cloaca Maxima, a large underground
channel, was constructed using stone arches and
allowed for the efficient removal of waste, contributing
to improved sanitation and public health.

Temples and Religious

08
Structures:

Rome was home to numerous temples and religious

structures dedicated to various gods and goddesses. These
buildings, such as the Pantheon and the Temple of Saturn,
were strategically placed throughout the city and served as
centers for religious worship and ceremonies.

Pantheon
 05 Parks and Gardens

The Romans believed in the importance of green

spaces within the city. They created parks and gardens
where people could relax and enjoy nature. One
famous example is the Gardens of Sallust, which were
located near the city center and provided a peaceful
retreat from the bustling urban environment.

Gardens of Sallust

06 Triumphal Arches

Triumphal arches were monumental structures built to

commemorate military victories and to honor emperors or
important figures. These arches were often located at key
points in the city, such as entrances to important roads or
near significant public spaces. The Arch of Constantine and
the Arch of Titus are notable examples in Rome.

The Arch of Constantine

Ancient Roman urban planning in Rome aimed to create a functional, organized, and
aesthetically pleasing city. The combination of architectural grandeur, efficient infrastructure,
and public amenities contributed to the development of a thriving metropolis that influenced
urban planning practices for centuries to come.
 Conclusion and
04
Insight
At its peak, the roman empire had concurred a lot of
provinces in Europe such as Britannica or current day
England Macedonia near Greek and Spain.

Roman urban planning principles and techniques had a

profound influence on subsequent civilizations. During the
Renaissance and Neoclassical periods, there was a revival
of interest in Roman urban planning concepts. Many cities in
Europe, particularly in Italy, adopted Roman-inspired urban
designs, incorporating elements such as axial roads,
squares, and grand public buildings.
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