Eugenio LA ROCCA The project "Nuova Forma Urbis Romae"

The Sovraintendenza ai Beni Culturali of the Municipality of Rome is responsible for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Rome (museums, collections, monuments, territory, etc.). The Municipality of Rome - traditionally interested in the conservation of the historical patrimony and in the protection of the archaeological structures still extant in the city - has decided to develop an adequate computer based methodology that records precisely the location of the ancient, medieval and modern buildings already documented in the past. This methodology should, in addition, be able to provide easy insertion of accidental finds in the course of current building works. The Municipality of Rome has, therefore, promoted the development of a territorial information system which allows the creation of digital maps and plans, that can be linked to all the data concerning occasional archaeological discoveries and the great number of old drawings and maps already available in the archives of the main public institutions in the City.

Named Nuova Forma Urbis Romae (F.U.R.), the project has been started together with partners from the University of Rome I - "La Sapienza" and the national Archaeological Soprintendenza of Rome. The objective is the remake of the archaeological map of the City as published by Rodolfo Lanciani 100 years ago. The project F.U.R. began in 1995 and was scheduled in its initial phase for five years. This will be followed by further phases.

The main aim for developing this information system which consists of a data base and a GIS is to provide support for urban planning and development. Therefore, it will also become a very important instrument for all the other departments of the Municipality which are involved in planning technological networks and public services.

The project F.U.R. will contain all available data related to the City inside the Aurelian city wall. It will be complemented by the information system "Carta dell'Agro Romano" which covers the suburbium. Once the information system F.U.R. will be completed, both will form the basis for the new Master Plan of the Municipality of Rome.

The scientific committee of the project has invited everyone interested in the topography of ancient Rome to collaborate.

The following partners have joined us:

The project FORTVNA of C. Häuber and F. X. Schütz of the University of Bonn

Prof Marc Levoy of Stanford University

The project Roma del '700 of Prof P. Micalizzi of The Università degli Studi di Roma III

The project "Carta Geologica di Roma" of Prof R. Funiciello

Prof A. J. Ammerman of Colgate University.

Scholars and students interested in the information system F.U.R. are invited to contact the following address:

Comune di Roma

Centro di Documentazione Forma Romae

Via del Teatro di Marcello, 5

Zc 00186 Roma Italy

Email: Formaromae@comune.roma.it

url: http://www.comune.roma.it/formaromae/