Quality elements in old and new forms of planning

This research study, funded by Miur [Italian ministry for education, university and research], defines a strict method to compare the quality elements of twenty-five recently elaborated urban plans related to small, middle-sized and large towns and cities (Rome, Milan, Bologna, Bergamo, Ferrara, Florence, Ravenna, Ancona, Jesi, La Spezia, Siena, Verona). This is a compared assessment of various approaches to urban quality. It includes the comparison 'of the plan' (reforming, participative, from-the-territory approach), 'in the plan' (equalised, sustainable, integrated strategic approach), 'with the plan' (conformational, recomposing, systemic-infrastructural methodological approach), 'beyond the plan' (approach of the plan/project towards new types of contract-based forms of development). On the one side is a range of suggestions that can be exported to other Italian and international contexts. On the other is the starting off of tools for the evaluation, measurement and assessment (intense if required) of urban plans.