Contemporary historic city: genius loci and genius saeculi

Recent literature shows the limits of modern town-planning theory in front of the complexity of a new world which is the result of political, economic and social transformation. The genius loci in the historical dimension of the city is what survi- ves to the ever changing functional structures and confers an indelible character to the city and the urban landscape, through different urban phenomena but part of a single and recognizable experience. The contemporary dimension of historical city, namely genius saeculi, requires a continuous updating of the collective themes, of public spaces and contents that are assigned to the historical forms from people who lives and inhabit those places, and the inclusion of new meanings, new values, new forms of social life. Hence this is the challenge for the new Millennium: conciliating the spirit of place, genius loci, with the spirit of time, genius saeculi, retrieving history values through their preservation and combining them in the present time through a sustainable model.