Exercise 4.3—Permanence and Change This homework exercise aims at exploring permanence and change in the urban landscape, through a comparison of different time periods, using two different historical maps. The first step of the exercise is the definition of the case study area. The student should define a circle around his home; a radius of 500m is suggested (it can be adapted according to the specific characteristics of each area). The second step is the selection of two historical maps representing the study area. For that purpose, historical maps are usually available on the Internet. The search and collection of maps can involve different students. The selection of two different historical maps depends on the available data, but, if possible, it should address two periods with considerable morphological differences (for instance, prior to the nineteenth century and after 1800). The third step is the comparison of the two maps and the identification of permanence and change in the main elements of urban form—streets, street blocks, plots, and buildings.

Finally, results should be illustrated through selective zooms on the two maps and photographs of the study area. Each student should prepare a brief PowerPoint presentation (5–10 min, 10 slides maximum) to be presented in the classroom.