Introduction

This module addresses the broad theme of urban regeneration and ecological
transition, emphasizing on environmental enhancement of urban open spaces
through experimenting design proposals using principles of sustainable
designing, applied to a specific case study.

Through scientific contents and disciplinary knowledge of environmental
design, urban design, landscape design and architectural technology, this
project-based module provides an introduction to theoretical principles,
technological tools and design methods.

The aim is:

-      
to explore the essential
technical aspects for achieving high quality design strategies and
implementation outcomes.

-      
to foster critical thinking,
evaluation capacity, and a creative approach to the use, redefine and redesign
of urban open spaces to create high-quality and sustainable urban environments.

Aims and Objectives

• This module aims to better understand the different methods and
essential tools for investigating the physical components and performative
qualities of urban space, by adopting a comprehensive approach and sustainable
design process for the built environment, aiming at reduction of hazardous air,
water, and soil pollution; reduction of ecological footprint of transformations
and resource consumption; well-being improvement and optimization of the
outdoor environmental quality. It also attempts to introduce an
interdisciplinary perspective on all aspects of how the natural and built
environment impacts people and communities.

• Students should provide a design
proposal for public spaces of a specific urban context. The design work will
focus on the scale of urban fabric.

The investigation and empirical
analysis will be gathered through qualitative investigation.

The design work will focus on:

-
principles which are related to sustainable urban forms (walkability,
diversity, connectivity, greening, mixed-use spaces, community participation, ...)
and environmental sustainability aspects (verification of the impact of the
intervention on the broader context);

-
the evaluation of the bioclimatic factors of the design project (solar control
and solar access; natural ventilation, passive heating and cooling,
thermo-hygrometric comfort);

-
bio-ecological aspects of design proposal (soil management, green and blue
infrastructure, eco-compatibility of materials, reusability of components,
recyclability of waste and scraps);

-
energy consumption (increase in energy efficiency, reduction of energy demand,
use of renewable energy, reduction of active system).

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, it is
expected that students will be able to:

• Develop
knowledge and skills in adopting targets for ecological efficiency of the
design work, from a theoretical and methodological point of view. The focus is
on developing a general technical skill set for environmental design
foundations. The students should also acquire proper and specific knowledge of
the tools and techniques to adopt to natural and built environment contexts,
including verification methods of the environmental, morpho-typological, social
and functional efficiency of the project work.

• Ability to apply
knowledge to develop a holistic and analytical approach to provide
solutions for complex problems related to the process of conservation of
natural and anthropic systems. This can be achieved by adopting different
compatible actions within the intervention strategies for enhancement of the
environmental qualities. It is expected that students will be able to develop
an iterative procedural approach to design problems employing acquired skills,
techniques, and tools for urban analysis and design strategies and actions at
different scales.

• Communication skills:
students will need to communicate analyses and design proposals effectively by
employing advanced and creative communication methods and media both orally and
graphically by using visual 2D+3D representation. These will be achieved by
working on design experimentation and course activities that ensure the development
of specific communicative and illustrative skills.

• Developing self-assessment ability: developing the ability of self-reflection, which
allows students to continuously update and improve the skills in the field of
environmental design and, more generally, to adopt proper strategies for
eco-efficient technological intervention.