Digital Technologies for Community Engagement in Decision-Making and Planning Process

The way that we describe and understand cities is radically transforming—just like the tools we use for designing and implementing them. The change is often seen only as a technological aspect, for example, in the concept of smart cities. Smart cities are believed to provide societies with a higher quality of life thanks to modern technologies. However, there is also a human factor that is needed to make these changes go smoothly: acceptance. For many, change and innovation cause fear and disrupt everyday habits. Public participation is crucial both for understanding citizens’ needs and for adopting new programs. The ability to try, engage, or entertain with new technologies will move innovation from the abstract level to the level of understanding. A smart city can be a living laboratory that tests new technologies and services where citizens and urban communities are active actors in the process. Innovation can be used by the city to improve its services, mutual communication, and engage citizens in its activities and projects, co-creating urban space and city strategy through new participatory tools. Trends in European cities show that the use of modern digital technologies and interactive tools can be used to involve citizens in urban decision-making processes, e.g., when creating or revitalizing public spaces. Modern participatory technologies that enable citizens to explore, analyze, design, and evaluate spatial information on the basis of shared and open data that bring new challenges and new opportunities to cities, as well as for citizens. Our knowledge of the use of these new technologies, however, is still narrow and limited today. In the following research, the authors intend to explore the potential of digital technologies for community engagement in the decision-making process in smart cities by examining the specific settings upon which social innovation builds

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

The coffee-house of Villa Ada-Savoia in Rome (IT). A classic facade that hides a jewel to be renewed

The eighteenth-century “Temple of Flora“ is located in Rome (Italy) in the green area of Villa Ada-Savoia, the second largest public park. This villa was the private residence of the Savoy royal family and after the proclamation of the Italian Republic (1946), it fell into a state of neglect and hereditary disputes. From 1990, after municipal expropriation and restoration interventions, the entire park was opened to the public. The small building is part of a project to transform original vineyard into an “English landscape garden“ and it is an important example for architectural quality. This paper focuses on a proposal for its restoration project. Starting from an historical-critical study and comparison with similar buildings; the technical-scientific analysis of materials and decorations degradation, up to the processing of conservative interventions. The aim is to propose an architectural reconstruction and re-functionalization of the building and neighbouring spaces for contemporary leisure use

La “porta” urbana dell’Acqua Acetosa: proposte per la riqualificazione dell’area della Stazione ferroviaria urbana e del suo intorno.

Allestimento e montaggio di pannelli, immagini e schizzi. Partecipazione alla Mostra di Architettura e Progetti Urbanistici, inserita all'interno del XXIII Seminario internazionale e Premio di Architettura e Cultura Urbana di Camerino, anno 2013

“Innesto Urbano” come opportunità di trasformazione del quartiere nella città contemporanea

La tesi è l’esito di una ricerca scaturita da alcune constatazioni sulle trasformazioni della città contemporanea europea e da un’idea personale, che ipotizza un legame fra la forma/l’uso dei luoghi e la componente “affettiva” che li caratterizza (positiva o negativa) ed un rinnovato interesse per la “dimensione del quartiere”, come oggetto di indagine e come luogo di scala idonea per azioni rigenerative della città. Complesse, molteplici e frammentate dinamiche stanno modificando le forme fisiche, le relazioni sociali e l’uso dello spazio urbano, alterandone la percezione e comportando un disorientamento degli abitanti, che, spesso, con “un senso di sradicamento e di alienazione”, non riconoscono e non si riconoscono nei luoghi dell’abitare collettivo. Il campo di riferimento è, quindi, lo studio dei processi di trasformazione della città e del concetto attuale di quartiere. La tesi, da una parte, ricompone lo sfondo teorico e le diverse posizioni sulla “dimensione del quartiere”, dall’altra introduce il concetto di “innesto urbano” – mutuato dalla botanica − come riflessione e pratica metodologica e come requisito/elemento di opportunità di trasformazione del quartiere nella città contemporanea. L’obiettivo principale della ricerca, pertanto, è quello di rendere possibile, nella complessa combinazione dei fattori fisici e sociali, la trasformazione dei “contesti periferici” (incompleti, incompiuti, in trasformazione o in divenire) in quartieri e il recupero del legame tra la qualità fisica e la percezione identitaria dello spazio urbano. Il testo è organizzato in quattro parti, suddivise in capitoli. La ricerca sviluppa prima un approccio di tipo empirico, poi una indagine di tipo teorico-lessicale, introducendo e definendo il termine di “innesto urbano”, infine, attraverso un metodo applicativo e sperimentale, lavora su alcuni esempi e casi di studio in Europa, interpretando le relazioni fra le diverse variabili individuate. La prima parte, di inquadramento, ricostruisce lo sfondo teorico e di pensiero all’interno del quale muove la tesi e la cornice teorico-interpretativa dei principali concetti. La seconda parte, delinea il termine e il concetto di “innesto urbano”, mutuandolo dalla pratica agronomica, ma arricchendolo di nuovi significati e mette a confronto alcuni orientamenti contemporanei (area-based approach; people-based approach; community building process), ritenuti utili al supporto delle migliori condizioni di “attecchimento dell’innesto urbano”. La terza parte, di carattere applicativo e sperimentale, propone una matrice di riferimento e di verifica di alcune esperienze europee, che costituisce il punto di partenza per definire le componenti essenziali per valutare la qualità e l’esito dell’innesto e seleziona quattro casi di studio (Bijlmermeer - Amsterdam; La Mina - Barcellona; Rača - Bratislava; Quarto Oggiaro – Milano), illustrati con altrettante schede critiche. La quarta parte, di chiusura, presenta le valutazioni critiche sull’idea iniziale e le considerazioni conclusive sui contenuti scaturiti dai casi di studio. Sono questi risultati “aperti”, spunti di riflessione per approfondimenti futuri e per eventuali applicazioni. In conclusione, emerge che “l’innesto urbano” si può considerare come una possibile linea di azione, opportunità (progettuale e no) per indirizzare le trasformazioni urbane locali e opportunità per ricostruzione il legame di riconoscimento abitanti - quartiere.The thesis is the result of a research coming from some findings on the transformations of contemporary European city and from a personal idea. This idea suggests a link between the shape / the use of places and the “affective” component (positive or negative) that characterizes them and it proposes a renewed interest in “the dimension of neighbourhood”, as an object of investigation and as a suitable scale of action for urban regeneration. Complex, various and fragmented dynamics are changing the physical forms, social relations and the use of urban space, altering the perception of it. Sometimes a disorientation of the residents comes from all that, and they, often with “a sense of rootlessness and alienation”, don’t recognize places and they don’t identify themselves in collective living spaces. The reference field is, therefore, the study of the city’s transformation and the contemporary concept of “neighbourhood”. The thesis, on one side, recomposes the theoretical background and the different positions on the “dimension” of the neighbourhood, on the other one, it introduces the concept of “urban graft” - borrowed from agronomy - as a methodological reflection and practice, and as a requirement/element of opportunity of neighbourhood transformation in the contemporary city. The main objective of the research, therefore, is to make possible, in the complex combination of physical and social factors, the transformation of “peripheral contexts” (incomplete, unfinished, in transformation or in the making) in neighbourhoods and the recovery of the relation between the physical quality and the perception of identity in urban space. The text is organized into four parts, divided into chapters. The research develops first an empirical approach, then a theoretical and lexical investigation to introduce and define the concept of “urban graft”. The thesis, also, works on some examples and case studies in Europe, using an application and experimental method, understanding the relations among the different variables identified. The first part (the framework) reconstructs the theoretical background of the thesis and the theoretical and interpretative structure of the main concepts. The second part is focused on the new term and the concept of “urban graft”, borrowed by agronomic practice, but enriching it with new meanings and comparing it with some contemporary approaches (area-based approach, people-based approach; community building process), considered useful to support better conditions of taking root of the grafts. The third part, with an application and experimental approach, proposes an evaluation matrix of some European experiences. The matrix is the beginning to define the essential components, to evaluate the quality and the results of “urban grafts” and to select four cases of study (Bijlmermeer - Amsterdam; La Mina - Barcelona; Rača - Bratislava; Quarto Oggiaro - Milan), illustrated with critical cards. The fourth part, at the end, presents critical assessments on the initial idea and the closing remarks on the contents arising from the case-studies. These “open” results are useful to provide more conceptual thinking for future research and for possible practical applications. In conclusion, it appears that “the urban graft” can be considered as a possible sequence of action, opportunity (design or otherwise) to address local urban transformation and as a chance to reconstruct the connection among inhabitants and neighbourhood

China: from eco-cities to eco-regions through ecosystem services

Today, in the global context, “the City” is the epicenter of the reorganization of economic, social and cultural dynamics, as well as the organization of space and time. In particular, in Countries with a strong growth economy, like China, “urban space” has become a crucial place for overall societal transformation, for developing and disseminating innovations - the places where mobility, flows, networking and all their dynamic interactions take shape in a concentrated and complex fashion. Contemporary City is a point of intersection of the local and global, between the natural and the man-made; it is the space where intersections between new urban economy, new urban ecology and new urban society create synergies. So, rethinking the City and its government and its transformation, focusing on among new urban economies and urban ecosystems seems crucial in catalyzing transition to a new form of urban socio-ecosystems resilient in the face of global and local crises. This article is about the Chinese urban development and a more holistic approach with the use of nature-based solutions to address urban challenges and climate change adaptation/mitigation

Beyond tourism: recovery of the historical and artistic heritage of Havana

Declared by UNESCO “World Heritage” in 1982, The Habana Vieja is the largest historic center of colonial type stored in Latin America and even today retains its traditional urban footprint, harmonious juxtaposition of different architectural styles. Through this paper we want to analyze the work of recovering the historical center of Habana, officially launched in 1994 through the Master Plan entrusted “Historian of the Oficina de la Ciudad de La Habana” with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, the Government Local, universities and associations for international cooperation. Twenty years after the start of this project is to assess whether it was put into play an effective movement of regeneration, having produced processes of participation and human resource development and economic premises, or if the risk was to be alone “staged” for tourists, rearranging some houses and central services attractive major, “just as they once were” only to recall nostalgically the past and recreate “typical situations”, imposed by mass tourism. There are many initiatives promoted from Italy, with the aim of creating opportunities for exchange and promotion of local sustainable development. As regards planning are promoted action as land resource management, planning, recovery of the historical-artistic heritage and urban services to enhance the identity of this country and encourage the participation of local communities. The historical, architectural and cultural heritage must be seen not only as “merchandise to show” but as a fundamental element for sustainable development from the perspective of social and environmental as well as economic, intended as a resource to protect and manage flexible and sustainable way to generate new opportunities, jobs and sources of income. If “pilot district”, (near the Plaza de Armas) is promoted restoration in style as a “showcase” for the mass tourists, in other popular and industrial districts (barrios San Isidro, Habana del Este, Marianao, Guanabacoa, and San Miguel del Padron) interesting workshops are promoted redevelopment with the participation of local communities. Cuba is a needy country but with potential and tourism is a key resource, but if it’s not properly channeled, may be detrimental to the identity. It’s important to guide their choices towards sustainable development and to engage in a process of urban regeneration through technical engagement and social participation

Menzione speciale in Urbanistica - Concorso Premio Nazionale Tesi di Laurea “Lo Sviluppo Sostenibile del territorio di Roma e Provincia”, 2011 – Ordine degli Architetti P.P.C. RM, Ce.S.Arch

La Tesi di Laurea si sviluppa a partire dai concetti generali di Sostenibilità ed intende proporre un nuovo approccio teorico e progettuale urbanistica, attraverso la trasformazione ecologica di una parte di periferia della città di Roma (Municipio VIII - zona Borghesiana, Finocchio).La sostenibilità è un termine ormai inflazionato e spesso usato in modo improprio. Ciò che interessa studiare in questa tesi è come applicare questi concetti alla pianificazione urbana, nell’elaborazione pratica di nuovi sistemi insediativi. Poiché la maggior parte della popolazione odierna vive in contesti metropolitani, gli urbanisti e gli architetti non possono più sottrarsi al confronto con la crisi ambientale, energetica e sociale in atto e con il conseguente deterioramento della qualità della vita nei nostri “habitat” artificiali. E’ necessario sviluppare un approccio multidisciplinare e proporre nuovi modelli di pianificazione. La Città, se definita come Ecosistema Artificiale, Complesso e Dinamico, fa parte di un Sistema Territoriale ed è suddiviso in altri sottosistemi. Attualmente il metabolismo urbano è rappresentato da un andamento lineare, ma è auspicabile che si arrivi ad un metabolismo circolare, in cui si riducano al minimo le entrate e le uscite incrementando al massimo il riciclo delle risorse e dei beni. Non basta però adattare soluzioni ad un singolo edificio, ma deve essere reimpostato l’intero assetto insediativo, anche attraverso la realizzazione di parti di esso, di quartieri ecosostenibili, così che la sostenibilità ne diventi parte integrante, garantendo una migliore qualità della vita

What do cities really need to (re)generate? Re-conceptualizing urban Regeneration practices as “grafts”

Book of proceedings: Annual AESOP Congress, Definite Space – Fuzzy Responsibility, Prague, 13-16th July, 2015Extensive and complex dynamics are affecting urban contexts, radically altering the physical form, social relations and the use of space of the European city as we knew it. Often, both formal disorganization and fragmentary social relationships change the perception of the “urban”, particularly in the peripheries. The concept of “contemporary suburb” has different meanings; today it refers to different realities, including empty spaces, incomplete and/or unfinished places lacking identity. In my view, however, these “fuzzy” spaces can lead to a return to the City, or better to a renewed concept of the urban, based on the neighbourhood as a "minimum unit" of urbanity. I will start here from two considerations: 1) the lack of urban quality and of those elements able to construct identity in the city formation process; 2) a diffuse sense of “rootlessness and alienation” which is perceived much often in the new peripheries. This is part of my PhD research, dedicated to understanding which are the most important design elements able to build new urbanity, quality and identity, in contexts increasingly more fragmented and inhomogeneous. In this perspective, I proposed the concept of urban “grafts” - borrowed by agronomy, to re conceptualize development in contemporary cities. “Urban grafts” include both tangible and intangible elements as source of compatible and sustainable (re)generation, able to integrate the new within a living organism, influencing the morphogenesis of the urban space, as well as the chances to improve social interactions.Published Versio