The idea of the ‘ensemble’ in urban morphology

Abstract

The idea of the ensemble – as encompassing areas within plans of composite medieval towns that can be recognized as being co-functional and contemporary in origin – is argued as being an important concept in enabling the course of urban development to be unravelled in a meaningful way. In a number of cases the use of this concept, as applied to the course of development of early medieval towns, can counteract the tendency for the interpretation of spatial distinctions between different ‘morphological areas’ within a town plan to be regarded as evidence of sequential development. This is exemplified in the discussion of a number of examples of town plans in which the application of this concept can generate new historical narratives concerning their early development.