TORINO CITY REPORT Illustration Copper Engraved Plan by John Stockdale London 1800 SOURCE www.polygraphicum.de FULL ILLUSTRATED MULTILINGUAL ONLINE CATALOGUES by Peter Helm

TORINO CITY REPORT Copper Engraved Plan by John Stockdale London 1800 SOURCE www.polygraphicum.de FULL ILLUSTRATED MULTILINGUAL ONLINE CATALOGUES by Peter Helm https://web.archive.org/web/20100205141819/http://www.polygraphicum.de/druckgraphikD1.html https://0700polygraf.blogspot.com/2021/05/httpweb.html

Torino is located in the Piedmont region of North-West Italy, on the plain of the river Po, just south of the West-ern Alps (see Figs. 1 and 2). It is Italy’s fourth largest city. The municipality (commune)1 of the core city has 900,608 inhabitants and covers an area of 130km2, with a population density of 6,928 persons per km2 (ISTAT, 2006). The province surrounding Torino, which takes the city’s name (Province of Torino), consists of 315 mu-nicipalities, has 2,242,775 inhabitants and covers an area of 6,830km2, with a population density of 328 per-sons per km2 (ISTAT, 2006) 25 B. C. to 1865 A. D.: Roman garrison to national capital2 Torino boasts a long and rich history as a military stronghold and trading hub. Since the 14th century it has been an important political capital, and developed into a major industrial city only later in its trajectory (see Box 1). 1 The comune (municipality) is the basic administrative unit in Italy. Each comune has its own mayor. Metropolitan Italy is currently divided into 8,101 comuni, 101 provincie (provinces), and 20 régioni. (regions). There is an ongoing and heated debate on the issue of reducing the number of municipalities, which has yet to be resolved. The municipalities have a long history of independence and have shown themselves extremely resistant to the idea of conceding any of this. 2 The history section, including all figures (unless otherwise attributed), draws on Symcox and Cardoza’s recently published history of Torino (2006). ~29 B.C. Roman military colony of ‘Augusta Taurinium’ is founded 500s A.D. Under the Ostrogoths ~600s Under the Lombards ~7-800s Part of Charlemagne’s Frankish empire ~962-1100s Part of Holy Roman Empire ~1200s Becomes an autonomous city-state 1280 Captured by the House of Savoy; beginning of a new era 1404 University of Turin founded 1563 Becomes capital of Savoy 1536-59 Occupied by the French 1720 Reverts to capital of Savoy Kingdom of Sardinia 1798-1814 Re-occupied by the French 1830-40s Savoy monarchy initiates economic modernisation programme 1848 Savoy ruler grants constitution to Piedmont: first elected parliament in Torino 1859 Technical School for Engineers founded 1861-1865 Capital of new Italian nation 1884 Hosts Universal Exhibition to promote local industry 1899 Fiat founded 1906 Politecnico di Torino engineering university founded 1908 Olivetti founded 1914-1918 WWI fuels industrial production 1920 General strike involving 150,000 workers 1925-43 Under fascist dictatorship 1950-70s ‘Economic miracle’ 1970s Strikes, terrorist movement, economic decline The city’s strategic geographical position, at the foot of the Alpine passes leading to Central and Western Europe with a crossing-point over the Po river, has long been a determining factor in its raison d’être. Its geo-metrical grid of straight roads is a testament to one of its early functions, as a military camp for the Romans in the 1st century A.D. (see Fig. 3) The city lies at the heart of the fertile plain known as Piedmont (from the Latin, ‘land at the foot of the moun-tains’). It served as a strategic frontier outpost during the Middle Ages, a prized stronghold changing hands be-tween some of Europe’s great military leaders. Captured by the powerful dukes of Savoy in 1280, it became the capital of their expanding dominion through to the 19th century, benefiting from the rich political, cultural and economic importance this bestowed; the magnificent Baroque architecture of the city’s historic core illustrates the earlier wealth of their dynasty (see Fig. 4). Political stability and prosperity fuelled the demographic growth and economic diversification of the city, which by the 18th century was already developing as a centre of artisan manufacturing, chiefly textiles 6The city lies at the heart of the fertile plain known as Piedmont (from the Latin, ‘land at the foot of the moun-tains’). It served as a strategic frontier outpost during the Middle Ages, a prized stronghold changing hands be-tween some of Europe’s great military leaders. Captured by the powerful dukes of Savoy in 1280, it became the capital of their expanding dominion through to the 19th century, benefiting from the rich political, cultural and economic importance this bestowed; the magnificent Baroque architecture of the city’s historic core illustrates the earlier wealth of their dynasty (see Fig. 4). Political stability and prosperity fuelled the demographic growth and economic diversification of the city, which by the 18th century was already developing as a centre of artisan manufacturing, chiefly textiles. Figure 4: Palazzo Madama, baroque royal palace and Savoy residence The granting of a Piedmontese constitution in 1848 ushered in a new era of political and economic modernisa-tion that positioned Torino as the springboard for the movement that unified Italy in 1861 (see Box 2). In recog-nition of its key strategic role, Torino was crowned the first capital of the new Italy. The city’s growing political importance in these years triggered a demographic boom which saw its population more than double between 1857 and 1871. Just four years later, however, the capital was transferred to Florence. This dealt a severe blow to Torino. Its court and state institutions, accompanied by the civilian groups that had long breathed life into the city, decamped en masse. 1861 Unification 1896-1908 Economic boom 1925-1943 Mussolini’s fascist dictatorship 1946 Christian Democrats take control of national government in power for 40 years 1950/60s Italy’s ‘economic miracle’ 1957 Founding member of European Economic Community 1970s Attempts to devolve power to the regions 1970s-late 80s Labour protests and Brigate Rosse terrorist movement 1990s Failed attempt to create metropolitan authorities 1992 National political corruption scandal exposed, all four major parties collapse. Successful devolution of power to regions and municipalities. 1999 Italy joins the Euro 7The granting of a Piedmontese constitution in 1848 ushered in a new era of political and economic modernisa-tion that positioned Torino as the springboard for the movement that unified Italy in 1861 (see Box 2). In recog-nition of its key strategic role, Torino was crowned the first capital of the new Italy. The city’s growing political importance in these years triggered a demographic boom which saw its population more than double between 1857 and 1871. Just four years later, however, the capital was transferred to Florence. This dealt a severe blow to Torino. Its court and state institutions, accompanied by the civilian groups that had long breathed life into the city, decamped en masse.3 Box 2: National political timeline Torino lost not just its prestigious political status, but also a significant proportion of its most dynamic inhabi-tants, as well as many wealthy politically-oriented families. The loss of wealth and jobs, generated by Torino’s political status, had a painful impact on the city’s economy. The population fell from 220,000 in 1864 to 191,500 in 1868. Unemployment stood at over 20%. The depression was compounded in the closing years of the 19th century by simultaneous slumps in the agricultural, banking and commercial sectors, triggering mass unem-ployment. This identity crisis forced the city to carve out a new niche for itself, or risk economic collapse. 1865 to 1945: nurturing a new industrial vocation Municipal and civil society leaders join forces to promote science and industry In the 1870s a coalition of municipal leaders, university professors and local businessmen joined forces to con-ceive a new direction for their city. Inspired by the popular doctrine of positivism, their vision of a modern city where science and technology drove economic production to create a wealthy, progressive and harmonious society would shape Torino’s identity for the next century. City leaders organised activities to promote this new direction, including the 1884 National Exhibition, which publicised the city’s material and intellectual resources. The city’s positivist climate, prizing scientific discovery and technological innovation, nourished an interest in applied research and great strides were made in the fields of electricity and engineering. A renewed confidence and economic development spurred demographic growth, with a 14% population increase between 1864 and 1881. Manufacturing jobs increased by 44% in the 3 Between 1864 and 1868 the city lost 28,500 people, 13% of its population (220,000 in 1864; 191,500 in 1868). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/30524992_Torino_city_report TORINO CITY REPORT Illustration Copper Engraved Plan by John Stockdale London 1800 SOURCE www.polygraphicum.de FULL ILLUSTRATED MULTILINGUAL ONLINE CATALOGUES by Peter Helm https://web.archive.org/web/20100205141819/http://www.polygraphicum.de/druckgraphikD1.html https://0700polygraf.blogspot.com/2021/05/httpweb.html