Design Theory – 3 Star shaped Fortified settlements A star fort is a fortification in the style that evolved during mid-15th century in Italy. Star fortress was a structure composed of many triangular bastions, specifically designed to cover each other, and a ditch. In order to counteract the cannonballs, defensive walls were made lower and thicker. Ditch was widened They were built of many materials, usually earth and brick, as brick does not shatter on impact from a cannonball as stone does. Star fortifications were further developed in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries primarily in response to the French invasion of the Italian peninsula.

Star shaped Fortified settlements Star forts were employed by Michelangelo in the defensive earthworks of Florence, and refined in the sixteenth century during renaissance. The design spread out of Italy in the 1530s and 1540s. It was employed heavily throughout Europe for the following three centuries. Italian engineers were heavily in demand throughout Europe to help build the new fortifications. The star-shaped fortification had a formative influence on the patterning of the Renaissance ideal city: "The Renaissance was hypnotized by one city type which for a century and a half—from Filarete to Scamozzi—was impressed upon all utopian schemes: this is the star-shaped city.“

Star shaped Fortified settlements The walls of Nicosia which survives are the typical example of renaissance Fortification. – star shaped medieval fort

Star shaped Fortified settlements 17th century map of the city Palmanova, Italy, an excellent example of Venetian star fort

Star shaped cities / settlements Star shaped city plan of Geneva in 1841, colossal fortification were demolished ten years later

Geneva, Switzerland : today

Fatehpur Sikri, India city planning Constructed by Akbar in the beginning of 1570 and remained capital from 1571 to 1585. abandoned after that. 37 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri was a splendid example of town planning and craftsmanship. Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals. Its efficient drainage system and water-supply system suggest a very intelligent town-planning by Akbar. Most of the buildings are made up of red sandstone due to easy availability. The buildings were skillfully planned keeping in mind the climatic conditions, the geology of the terrain, the need of its occupants, its usage keeping, proper ventilation, and sanitation needs. The town is fortified on three sides with eight gateways and has an artificial lake on the fourth side. The monuments here can be classified into four main categories - The Sacred Complex, The Royal Complex, The Imperial Harem and Other Monuments.

Bradford