Cultural heritage. Ancient cities research and management between Mexico and Italy

The paper presents the research activities on the foundation and evolution of cities in Roman Italy and in pre and post-colonial Mexico that are carried out with the collaboration between the Department of Ancient World Studies in Sapienza and two Mexican Universities (Nacional Autónoma of Mexico City and Autónoma de Yucatán). The comparison between different research experiences, also based on the different consistencies of urban fabrics, produces very interesting results. The formal comparison of urban layouts and distribution criteria of colonial foundations is also possible on the basis of the political ideology that inspires the Roman State and the Kingdom of Spain.