In September 2025, as part of our Planning Heritage course, students from the Master’s programme Architecture, Cities, Landscapes: History and Heritage visited Rome in collaboration with Sapienza University. This immersive excursion offered a unique opportunity to explore the layers of history and contemporary urban life in one of the world’s most historically rich cities. Students worked in interdisciplinary groups, combining insights from architectural history, heritage studies, and design practice, to investigate specific urban sites. Through on-site analysis, observation, and discussion, they examined the interplay between ancient and modern structures, the integration of monumental and everyday spaces, and the evolving role of heritage in urban development.

The excursion emphasized critical engagement with the city, encouraging students to assess the historical, cultural, and social values embedded in urban landscapes, and to propose spatial interventions that reconcile preservation with contemporary needs. Students developed planning perspectives that addressed multiple stakeholders, historical narratives, and future challenges, enhancing their ability to integrate heritage thoughtfully into dynamic urban environments. By navigating Rome’s past, present, and future, participants gained first-hand experience of the complexities of urban heritage, reinforcing the programme’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, socially relevant research, and hands-on exploration of cities and landscapes.