Geographical Information Systems (GISs) in architecture were initially limited to regional and urban development applications. Over recent years its potential has been recognized and its use has evolved to address urban planning and architectural heritage management subjects. Nevertheless, evidence shows that its use in architecture teaching is scarce and uneven. Directive 2007/2/EC, establishing the infrastructure for spatial information in the European Community (EU), is, in this way, an opportunity to develop a greater knowledge and application of GIS in the framework of higher education. In architecture, this can be achieved by problem solving based on real case scenarios, which can benefit from GIS-based techniques and analysis capabilities. In this paper, the authors aim to present a review of the use of GIS in teaching and research in architecture to assess its level in different European programmes. Experiences from three European universities (University of Seville, Spain, University of Beira Interior, Portugal, and Technical University of Crete, Greece), which are among the few in their respective countries that promote the inclusion of GIS in architectural education, particularly in the fields of urban and regional planning and architectural heritage, are compared and framed within the European scenario. The paper concludes with a reflection on the three universities’ practice compared to the leading European architecture programmes listed in the main international university rankings. Main trends of future evolution on the use of GIS in architecture teaching are also presented.

El articulo reflexiona sobre el valor patrimonial de las formas urbanas del siglo XX y su aportación a la sostenibilidad como nueva vía de relacionarse con la Tierra. El proceso de antropización del territorio configura la identidad de cada comunidad y deviene en estructuras culturales que como sociedad se acuerda que son Patrimonio. Para ello se efectúa un recorrido por experiencias internacionales y nacionales (WHL y DOCOMOMO) para centrarse en Andalucía. Se tiene en cuenta la referencia a la cultura en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, a fin de “redoblar los esfuerzos para proteger y salvaguardar el patrimonio cultural y natural del mundo” (ODS 11.4). El estudio concluye con el carácter transversal de la cultura, como contribución directa en la consecución de los ODS, empleando determinadas formas urbanas consideradas como patrimonio urbano contemporáneo y sostenible.

This paper aims to present a review contribution to the history of the reform and renewal in the Portuguese Cistercian monasteries, throughout nine centuries of cultural and architectural history, but focusing on the new uses on former monasteries. The monastic Orders had a vital importance, both temporal and spatial, in the development of the urban fabric of cities. It must be considered that the transformation and development of the territory have been responsible for isolated buildings and settlements which have gradually been absorbed by the expansion of the urban fabric. The Cistercian Order played a remarkable role in the affirmation of Portugal (1143) and had an unquestionable position, since the medieval period, in the construction of a significant part of the Portuguese culture. The first Cistercian monasteries appeared in Portugal, in the 12th century, far from the urban context. Portuguese Cistercian monasteries became worthy examples of the European Cistercian architecture, although, over the time, they have been adapted, enlarged and transformed according to the styles of each epoch. The disappearance of the religious Orders, in 1834, and the successive owners adapted the monastic buildings to new uses. The monasteries have provided the contemporary city, especially from the 19th and 20th centuries, with expectant spaces or new fields of experimentation as diverse as rehabilitation, reuse, renovation and conversion. These are new spaces which adapt to new situations and new uses, thus updating themselves, so that the values of the present can be included and integrated into its history. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss, in which way the ideals and the realities of these monastic buildings and related urban spaces are divergent, but also a factor of city growth and cultural development.

Pese a asentarse sobre un estrato hídrico que abastece de forma natural a sus habitantes y cultivos, Milán ha dedicado incansables esfuerzos a establecer una red de infraestructuras hidráulicas como conexión con otras ciudades. Un trabajo continuo de planificación ingenieril le permitió construir, a lo largo de su historia, un extenso sistema de canales navegables que salvase la distancia que la aleja de los ríos más próximos. Un gran empeño técnico por el que fue denominada por muchos la Città dell’acqua. Paradójicamente, la idea de prescindir de estas aguas antropogénicas surgió a raíz de uno de sus primeros planes urbanísticos, a finales del siglo XIX. Este artículo caracteriza la ciudad a través de un recorrido cronológico, centrándose en la hidrografía de la región y en sus principales obras hidráulicas medievales y modernas, los llamados navigli. A continuación, se exponen las circunstancias y argumentos urbanos que, tras la industrialización, llevaron a políticos, urbanistas e ingenieros a soterrar estas infraestructuras; coincidiendo con el desarrollo de las tecnologías sanitarias modernas y el auge del tráfico rodado frente a la navegabilidad. Por último, la aportación analiza la actual propuesta del gobierno municipal para recuperar las antiguas canalizaciones. Para ello, se revisan y discuten los objetivos del proyecto a escala urbana y metropolitana, junto al resto de problemáticas presentes en esta gran urbe del Norte de Italia.

Information about the paper titled "VIRTUAL LEARNING TOOLS IN HIGHER EDUCATION. EDIEDPAT, AN INTERACTIVE PLATFORM FOR URBAN HERITAGE TEACHING" at IATED Digital Library