The importance of the baroque era in our days.

Urbanism

Realised by: Zinab, Hafsa, Julita, Michael et Joana

We can define urbanism as an instrument of a project that has the goal of making life in urban places (such as towns or cities) easier. It is the relation between humans and their environment where the mean aspects are: organisation, economic and commercial activity and sociological issues, for example.

Urbanism: the “draw” and study of cities

In the Middle Ages, like today, they cared about the organisation of the cities because it was relevant if a house was build in a convenient place for a commercial area.A typical medieval city consisted, in general, on:

> a central church (gothic style)> next to it, the governmental buildings and the manors> a wall surrounding all the city (protection)> the rest of the houses (mostly the poor ones) were next to the wall.

With the growth of the population they started to widen the walls or to create new cities. They had already the sense of urbanism.

Urbanism in the Middle Age

The concept studied in this presentation is marked, in the 17th century, by the affluence of the baroque style in Europe.The Occidental Europe saw this new art style taking place over the classicism.We can see some of it characteristics:

> emphasis on massing, colonnades, domes;> colour effects;(art)> volume and void; (monuments)> radiating avenues intersecting in squares;(city planning)

The baroque style in Europe

Baroque art

« Iglèsia del Gésu de Roma », Italy « Mosteiro Sao Jesus de Braga », Portugal

« Chatêau de Versailles », France

Charleroi is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, in Belgium, created in 1666.The location of the city is strategically prepared to defence itself against the enemies but it is also a wonderful example of a baroque influenced city .

Charleroi

Characteristics:• It is located in a high mount;• Bordered by a river (Sambre) from East to West;•Surrounded by a forest and a wall;• All the avenues and streets were carefully created to intersect with the most important square (Charles II), where we can found the “life” of the city;•The church is neo-baroque

Madrid: a distinct plannification

Charleroi and Madrid are the perfect example of the evolution of urbanism.

Here we can see some of the biggest differences:

Madrid Charleroi> created approximately in the > created in the 17th century

the 9th century> Roman architecture (at the beginning) >Baroque and art-nouveau> Disorganised streets > Organised streets>Different important places > One main important place

Differences between this two cities

First of all, the urbanism has a big impact in our society. As mentioned before, it is the combination between humans and the place where they live, so it is essential to take care of their needs and to adapt the environment providing the best for all of us.

The 17th century inspired our civilization with their concernings like the growth of the population. This last one is one of the most important issues in the 21st century and we need to find solutions like they found before.

Another aspect is the vital centre of the cities. We continue to centralise the economic, commercial, artistic and practical activities in the “heart” of the cities/towns. Everything turns around that point.

Finally, we can enjoy of the magnificent constructions and art pieces of that century.

Influence of the 17th urbanism in our days

Thank you for your attention!