Vigne Nuove, Corviale, Laurentino 38, three utopias created in Rome

The article compares three major settlements to explain how a part of the city of Rome developed during the Seventies. This was a period in which Italian politics was capable of governing the country. It set precise procedures to develop town planning and supported an archetypal, architectural project, featuring large, utopian dimensions. In fact, a series of very unusual districts were constructed during those years and this article compares three of them: Corviale, Vigne Nuove and Laurentino 38. The comparison reveals certain links between them, such as the partial or total use of béton brut; they are all considered as large, intensive constructions; the relationship created between the walkways, the accommodation and the communal spaces. However, these aspects are developed and applied differently within each of the three districts. After an analysis of the political and historic mood of the period in which the three districts were constructed, the article tackles the relationship between these settlements by comparing not only their urban planning and architectural design, but also the details and use of the typical material of the time, such as béton brut. This research is a part of the scope based theme of residence, ranging from temporary housing to major urban projects.