2. Thinking About Post-disaster Reconstruction in Europe: Functionalist and Identity Approaches

This chapter analyses reconstructions of historic centres in selected European cities damaged by earthquakes and wars. The latest Italian reconstructions have sparked renewed interest within the scientific community of the issue of the preservation of historic centres. Beginning briefly with significant examples of post-disaster reconstruction in Europe spanning a period of almost three centuries, the focus then shifts to emblematic cases of reconstruction that have been significant for the development of urban approaches. Although important examples of reconstructions such as Lisbon, Thessaloniki and Messina are mentioned, the main analysis concentrates on reconstruction post-World War II emphasising recent Italian reconstructions following earthquakes during the last decade. A review of the literature on the history of reconstruction allows the key concepts to be traced: those that emerged from urban planning treaties, charters and international conventions, and how they have influenced patterns of reconstruction up to the present day.