Costruire l’Università: genesi dei Campus dell’Ateneo salernitano tra progetti e visioni territoriali Building the University: the development of the Salerno Campus between design strategies and territorial perspectives

In 2024, the University of Salerno celebrates the eightieth anniversary of its founding, almost coinciding with the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering in 1983, a signifi cant milestone that took place during a crucial phase of reform and expansion of higher education in Southern Italy. This paper examines the origins and development of the Baronissi and Fisciano campuses, beginning with the architectural design competition launched in 1972, which integrated academic growth, urban planning and public architecture within a unifi ed vision. Through a critical analysis of the submitted projects, the winning proposals, and the completed campuses, the study explores how architectural and spatial choices contributed to shaping the university as a polycentric institution, responding to functional demands while supporting a wider cultural and territorial vision.