Sifting Through Historical Maps. Methodology for the Implementation of Cartographic Content in Urban Planning: Case Study of Desio

Numerous conventions and recommendations for the protection of cultural heritage state the importance of implementing an integrated conservation approach, taking care of built and natural elements in their settings. For small, widespread historical centres in Lombardy, historical stratigraphy is complex and often there is a lack of historical material to understand the towns’ evolution.With neglected and forgotten heritage values, historical centres are suffering degradation and abandonment. The study will examine the content which can be extracted from historical maps in the form of implicit and non-implicit characteristics and focus on the means and tools for their use in urban planning. The research suggests the essential implementation of historical cartography and accompanying documents in the creation of the Municipal Urban Plan, by building the database in the Geographic Information System. The developed methodology offers adaptable approaches for analysing maps regardless of their scale or aim. Decomposition of elements, systematisation of the features presented on the historical map and application of modern urban theories, will allow researchers to compare spatial and textual elements on different maps and link them with the contemporary survey. The research criticizes the potential errors that can occur in urban plans if the historical background is not thoroughly investigated and there is no comparison between past and present data. Study will assist spatial thinking though contextualised historical data as tool for participatory planning to support GeoDesign concepts and methods.