The Lean Urban Policies’ Design A values-centered method for sustainable urban planning.

Abstract

In these past years, the necessity and urgency has emerged for policies tied to an alternate development to be efficiently applied, and not limited to single operations. The policies must be defined by a clear and effective method of action. Starting by investigating what are the relationship among human being, built environment and natural sources, in fact, we think it is possible to enrich the sustainable urban planning policies with new contents and possibly, new tools. By describing the frame, the objective is to define the most effective method, to be able to convey an effective project action and governance for the territory, to achieve predefined social and energy based objectives. The research will focus on those tools (top-down and bottom-up policies) that today have this specific purpose and action-research studies made in order to possibly deduct some assumptions for a general method: - City, urban environmentalism and sustainable development. - Policies for efficiency, present and future expectations. - Action research studies - Discussion: the Lean way to urban policies’ design By analysing the common methodological characteristics these two different approach have, we have found a possible link with the application of the “lean” method, directly borrowed from economy’s application, to what is involved in the process of “values-centered” project for the territory. The “lean process” and its logics seem to answer to the need of “circular” planning processes (integrating top-down and bottom-up strategies) our cities need. Applying the lean thinking method on an urban scale aims to generate, for whom is in charge of urban planning, the ability to clearly find value and engage policies on more levels and objectives, making them effective through an iteration process of optimization of all resources, to be able to simplify the dynamics and finally render the complex project for the territory simple and sustainable