Carlo Mario Tosco

Carlo Mario Tosco is a Full Professor at the Polytechnic University of Turin, affiliated with the Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST). He serves as the Landscape and Cultural Heritage Coordinator and leads institutional relations with local, national, and European government bodies. His academic and research profile is centered on architectural and landscape heritage, with a focus on medieval architecture and historical urbanism.

• Academic Rank: Full Professor (L. 240)
• Department: DIST – Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning
• Research Focus: History of Architecture, Landscape History, Medieval Architecture, Cultural Heritage
• Scientific Sector: CEAR-11/A – History of Architecture (Area 0008 – Civil Engineering and Architecture)
• ERC Sectors: SH6_3 (General archaeology, archaeometry, landscape archaeology), SH6_6 (Medieval history)
• SDG Alignment: Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities

His research interests include the history of architecture, particularly medieval religious and monastic buildings, landscape history, and the cultural meaning of urban and rural environments. He explores how architectural forms and spatial configurations reflect power structures, cultural identity, and historical transformation. His work bridges architectural history, archaeology, and urban planning, emphasizing the sustainable preservation and enhancement of heritage sites.

The recent publications reflect a consistent scholarly engagement with medieval architectural and landscape themes, especially cathedral architecture, monastic landscapes, and the semantics of space. His work spans conference proceedings, academic volumes, and journals, demonstrating interdisciplinary reach across history, architecture, and cultural studies. Topics such as Cistercian landscapes, Petrarch’s spatial politics, and shrine architecture illustrate his deep engagement with European medieval heritage.

He has supervised multiple PhD students, including Alessandra Panicco and Giulia Bergamo, and has been a member of doctoral colleges for over two decades, contributing to programs such as Architectural Heritage and Architectural and Landscape Heritage. He teaches courses across all levels, from Bachelor’s to PhD, including 'History of Ancient and Medieval Architecture', 'History and Culture of Gardens and Landscapes', and 'Resilient Landscapes between History and Design'.

Prof. Tosco leads several research projects funded by competitive national calls (PRIN), including:

• AMIM - Architects and Master Builders in Medieval Italy (2025–2027), as Scientific Director
• CMP - The landscape of the medieval Carthusian Monasteries in Piedmont (2023–2025), as Scientific Director
• Creation of a multimedia archive of Lombardy's UNESCO heritage (2019–2020)
• Summer School on Landscape Protection Strategies at Reggia della Venaria Reale (2022–)
• Enhancement of the architectural and landscape heritage of Massimino (2018–2020)

He has also coordinated departmental agreements with institutions such as the Alcide Cervi Institute, fostering research and training in cultural and landscape heritage. His teaching spans architecture, landscape design, and sustainability, reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinary education. While no specific scientific awards are listed, his sustained leadership in research, education, and heritage policy underscores his recognition in the academic community.