Search Results (81)

This article demonstrates how positioning residents as active co-designers fundamentally transforms both the process and outcomes of carbon-positive building development. Through structured collaborative workshops, shared decision-making protocols, and continuous partnership throughout the building lifecycle, the REN+HOMES Positive Carbon Building methodology challenges the conventional expert-driven approach to sustainable construction. Developed and validated through the H2020 REN+HOMES project, this resident-centered approach achieved remarkable technical performance—65.9% reduction in final energy demand—while simultaneously enhancing community ownership and long-term sustainability practices. By integrating participatory design with Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) criteria, renewable energy systems, and national carbon offset programs, the methodology proves that resident collaboration is not merely beneficial but essential for creating buildings that truly serve both environmental and human needs. This research establishes a new paradigm where technical excellence emerges from authentic partnership between residents and sustainability experts, offering a replicable framework for community-driven environmental regeneration. Full article

The Retabit platform is a data-driven tool designed to bridge the gap between building rehabilitation and urban regeneration by integrating energy, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework. Leveraging multiple public data sources, the platform provides actionable insights to local and national authorities, public housing agencies, urban planners, energy service providers, and research institutions, helping to align renovation initiatives with broader urban transformation goals and climate action objectives. The platform consists of two main components: Analyse, for examining building conditions through multidimensional indicators, and Plan, for designing and simulating renovation projects. Retabit contributes to more transparent and informed decision-making, encourages collaboration across sectors, and addresses long-term sustainability by incorporating participatory planning and impact evaluation. Its scalable structure makes it applicable across diverse geographic areas, policy contexts, and domains linked to sustainable urban development. Full article

Bagheria, located on the northern coast of Sicily, is home to one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable ensembles of Baroque villas, constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries by the aristocracy of Palermo. Originally situated within a highly structured rural landscape of citrus groves, gardens, and visual axes, these monumental residences have undergone substantial degradation due to uncontrolled urban expansion throughout the 20th century. This study presents a diachronic spatial analysis of Bagheria’s territorial transformation from 1850 to 2018, integrating historical cartography, aerial photography, satellite imagery, and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. A total of 33 villas were identified, georeferenced, and assessed based on their spatial integrity, architectural condition, and relationship with the evolving urban fabric. The results reveal a progressive marginalization of the villa system, with many heritage assets now embedded within dense residential development, severed from their original landscape context and deprived of their formal gardens and visual prominence. Comparative insights drawn from analogous Mediterranean heritage landscapes, such as Ortigia (Siracusa), the Appian Way (Rome), and Athens, highlight the urgency of adopting integrated conservation frameworks that reconcile urban development with cultural and ecological continuity. As a strategic response, the study proposes the creation of a thematic cultural route, La città delle ville, to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and socio-economic relevance of Bagheria’s heritage system. This initiative, supported by adaptive reuse policies, smart heritage technologies, and participatory planning, offers a replicable model for sustainable territorial regeneration and heritage-led urban resilience. Full article

Against the backdrop of China’s urban transformation from incremental expansion to stock regeneration, community regeneration has emerged as a critical mechanism for enhancing urban governance efficacy. As fundamental units of urban systems, the regeneration of communities requires comprehensive approaches to address complex socio-spatial challenges, with public participation serving as the core driver for achieving sustainable renewal goals. However, significant regional disparities persist in the effectiveness of public participation across China, necessitating the systematic institutionalization of participatory practices. Guangzhou, as a pioneering city in institutional innovation and the practical exploration of urban regeneration, provides a representative case for examining the evolutionary trajectory of participatory planning. This research employs Arnstein’s Ladder of Participation theory, utilizing literature analysis and comparative case studies to investigate the evolution of participatory mechanisms in Guangzhou’s community regeneration over four decades. The study systematically examined the transformation of public engagement models across multiple dimensions, including organizational frameworks of participation, participatory effectiveness, diversified financing models, and the innovation of policy instruments. Three paradigm shifts were identified: the (1) transition of participants from “passive responders” to “active constructors”, (2) advancement of engagement phases from “fragmented intervention” to “whole-cycle empowerment”, and (3) evolution of participation methods from “unidirectional communication” to “collaborative co-governance”. It identifies four drivers of participatory effectiveness: policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, mediator cultivation, and engagement platforms. To enhance public engagement efficacy, the research proposes the following: (1) a resilient policy adaptation mechanism enabling dynamic responses to multi-stakeholder demands, (2) a diversified financing framework establishing a “government guidance + market operation + resident contribution” cost-sharing model, (3) a professional support system integrating “localization + specialization” capacities, and (4) enhanced digital empowerment and institutional innovation in participatory platform development. These mechanisms collectively form an evolutionary pathway from “symbolic participation” to “substantive co-creation” in urban regeneration governance. Full article

Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in strengthening local identity and fostering socio-economic development. However, its effective enhancement requires an inclusive decision-making process capable of integrating the diverse perspectives of stakeholders. This study introduces an innovative participatory governance model applied to the case of Taverna, Calabria. This study adopted a methodological framework grounded in co-design and co-evaluation, and the research examined the impacts and opportunities associated with a collaborative management process for cultural heritage. The proposed framework consists of five key phases: defining a strategic vision, analyzing the territorial context, co-designing enhancement strategies, implementing actions, and monitoring their impact. The findings highlight the effectiveness of this approach in shaping strategies grounded in local identity, inclusive community engagement, and long-term sustainability. The experience of Taverna’s collaborative decision-making project demonstrates that an inclusive governance process can generate tangible benefits in terms of social innovation, economic growth, and heritage conservation. Full article

Heritage-based urban regeneration is a crucial strategy for preserving cultural identity while fostering sustainable urban development. This study examines the case of Tarout Island, one of Saudi Arabia’s oldest continuously inhabited sites, which faces challenges related to urbanization, infrastructure deterioration, and heritage conservation. As part of Saudi Vision 2030, urban regeneration efforts must balance modernization with the protection of historical and cultural assets to maintain the island’s unique identity. Through a review of global, regional, and local case studies, this research identifies best practices in heritage-driven urban renewal, emphasizing adaptive reuse, sustainable tourism, community engagement, infrastructure integration, and environmental sustainability. The findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive regeneration framework that not only safeguards historical sites but also fosters economic growth, cultural continuity, and community participation. The study proposes a strategic framework for heritage-based urban regeneration in Tarout Island, integrating conservation policies, sustainable tourism models, and participatory planning approaches. Key challenges such as legal enforcement, funding constraints, and the risks of over-commercialization are also addressed. By adopting a holistic and sustainable approach, Tarout Island can serve as a model for heritage-driven urban development in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating how cultural preservation and modernization can coexist harmoniously. Full article

World Heritage plays a vital role in promoting sustainable urban development. Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have gained recognition as an effective instrument for urban revitalization in recent years. The Cities, Culture, and Creativity (CCC) framework introduced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Bank emphasizes the core role of culture and creativity in enhancing urban competitiveness, attractiveness, and sustainability. Based on that framework, this study takes Pingyao as a case study, using a literature review and non-participatory observation, systematically examines its assets and resources, assesses the outcomes at the spatial, economic, and social levels, and explores how CCIs, with the support of enabling factors, contribute to urban revitalization. The findings indicate that Pingyao, relying on its historical and cultural heritage, promotes the development of CCIs, resulting in significant spatial optimization, economic growth, and social benefits, while also shaping unique cultural brands. This study verifies the applicability of the CCC framework in analyzing the urban revitalization mechanism, further reveals the role of CCIs in the revitalization of World Heritage cities, enriches the urban regeneration theory, and offers theoretical and practical reference for the revitalization and sustainable development of other World Heritage cities. Full article

Mountain forestscapes are among the planet’s most vital socio-ecological systems, functioning as critical reservoirs of biodiversity, regulators of climate, and essential sources of water and livelihood for surrounding and downstream communities. However, these landscapes face intensifying threats from climate change, land-use transformation, resource extraction, unsustainable tourism, and fragmented governance. While sustainable forest management has provided essential frameworks for conservation, its focus on maintaining existing conditions is increasingly insufficient amid accelerating ecological and social decline. This paper explores the conceptual and practical evolution from sustainability to regeneration in mountain forest management, distinguishing between the theoretical foundations of each paradigm and analyzing the key drivers of degradation across diverse biocultural regions. Methodologically, the study employs a transdisciplinary and qualitative design, integrating critical literature synthesis, comparative regional analysis, and Indigenous and local knowledge systems. A structured review of 72 peer-reviewed sources and ethnographic materials was conducted, combined with a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) of mountain case studies from the Alps, Carpathians, Andes, Eastern Arc Mountains, and Himalayas. The study synthesizes regenerative strategies such as ecological connectivity restoration, agroecological landscape design, participatory watershed management, and adaptive, polycentric governance. Based on these insights, an integrated framework for regenerative mountain forestscape management is proposed, aligned with global policy agendas including the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, nature-based solutions (NbS), and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. By prioritizing ecological renewal, cultural continuity, and community agency, this work contributes to transformative, place-based approaches that restore the functionality, resilience, and integrity of mountain landscapes. Full article

Residential vulnerability in urban spaces is a complex phenomenon subject to a variety of social and economic factors. An example of this scenario is the San Francisco neighbourhood in Villena (Alicante, Spain). This is an area of residential vulnerability because of low levels of education among the population, low income, precarious housing and public insecurity. The main goal in this study was to analyse the profile of the neighbourhood using a mixed methodology based on statistical consultations with several official bodies and a qualitative method derived from surveys conducted with experts and interviews with focus groups made up of specialists, politicians and residents. The most significant results included the demographic stagnation of the local population and, conversely, a rejuvenation of the population thanks to foreign immigration, shaping a multicultural space not free of conflict, exclusion and residential precariousness. New challenges for integration towards a more participatory and safer coexistence emerged, with strategies aimed at curbing abandonment, preventing unlawful occupation of properties and contributing to residential and social regeneration. Full article

The historical authenticity of historic urban areas has been compromised, and community cohesion has declined, necessitating comprehensive methods to systematically identify spatial textures and socio-cultural transformation characteristics. This study investigates the Jianxi Historic Urban Area in Luoyang from a Historic Urban Landscape perspective, integrating GIS, sDNA tools, and semi-structured interviews to analyze material spatial evolution and socio-cultural shifts. The findings reveal stable street network structures enhanced by road expansions, functional intensification marked by rising residential density and tertiary sector growth, and high replacement rates of 1950s–1960s buildings that improved the area’s physical quality but disrupted historical continuity and heritage integrity. Material transformations fragmented collective memory and reshaped residents’ sense of place identity. This research proposes sustainable renewal strategies, emphasizing refined gradient control models, community identity revitalization, and participatory decision-making, offering actionable insights for regenerating historic urban areas. Full article

Urban regeneration in historic city centers often encounters tensions between planning strategies, public expectations, and heritage preservation. This study examines the redevelopment process of Sant’Ana Hill in Lisbon, a site historically occupied by many hospitals now subject to closure and adaptive reuse. The transformation of all this 16-hectare area has sparked significant public contestation, highlighting governance challenges and the role of citizen engagement in shaping urban futures amid socio-political and ecological shifts. Using a case study approach, this research draws on urban planning documents, public debate records, media coverage, and semi-structured interviews to analyze the political, social, and architectural dimensions of the regeneration process. Findings reveal that prolonged decision-making, opaque governance, and inadequate public participation have fueled uncertainty, delaying project implementation and increasing public skepticism. The study argues that inclusive participatory frameworks and transparent governance are essential to mitigating conflicts in urban redevelopment. This research also contributes to debates on urban voids, adaptive reuse, and participatory planning, offering insights into the dynamics of contested regeneration in historic districts. Lessons from Sant’Ana Hill highlight the need for a more integrated, democratic, and heritage-conscious approach to large-scale urban transformation projects. Full article

This article explores how the principles of circularity, applied to urban food systems, could contribute to catalysing a transition towards more sustainable cities, working on the premise that food security is a key pillar of urban resilience. In order to do so, it critically examines (i) circularity in the context of urban regeneration and why focusing on food could help to understand the sociopolitical and ecological dimensions of circularity; (ii) the geographical and temporal scales of urban circularity; and (iii) how ‘barometers of circularity’ could be built and integrated into participatory urban governance processes to support urban ecological transformations. Full article

Urban renewal is essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing climate change, resource management, and social sustainability. Effective strategies must integrate physical infrastructure (“hardware”) with cultural and social dynamics (“software”) to foster resilience and inclusivity. This paper proposes an organizational aesthetics framework, highlighting how cultural aesthetics drive social innovation, participatory urbanism, and community well-being in urban regeneration. By embedding aesthetics into renewal processes, cities can enhance place identity, cohesion, and economic vitality while promoting sustainability. A bibliometric analysis maps research trends and emerging discourse, identifying key themes in aesthetics and urban governance. The findings underscore aesthetics’ growing significance in policy and planning, offering insights for urban designers, policymakers, and administrators. This research advances an interdisciplinary model integrating aesthetics with sustainable urban governance, ensuring that cities evolve functionally and culturally. The paper provides a structured approach to enhancing urban design, policy frameworks, and inclusive regeneration strategies for socially and environmentally enriched cities. Full article

Self-organization has emerged as a critical approach in community-led urban regeneration, particularly in addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and socio-spatial inequalities. In the Chinese context, where urban governance has traditionally been state-centric, self-organized initiatives represent a significant shift toward grassroots participation and localized decision-making. This study conducts a comparative analysis of four cases: Guangminglou Building No. 17 in Beijing, Kangjian Road 341 Building No. 7–8 in Shanghai, Honggang Garden Residence in Shenzhen, and Jiqun Street Building No. 2 in Guangzhou to examine self-organization in community-led urban regeneration in China. It reveals the following: (1) Residents’ active participation and co-construction awareness are the foundation of successful renewal. The construction of resident self-governance and democratic decision-making mechanisms should be strengthened. (2) The government’s policy support and financial guidance are vital. Local governments can mobilize social capital to participate by providing financial subsidies, tax incentives, and other means. (3) Urban planning should combine local cultural characteristics and community needs, avoiding the simple “demolish and rebuild” model. (4) Technical means can effectively improve efficiency and reduce information asymmetry and conflicts of interest. The findings suggest that self-organization is not merely a grassroots phenomenon but often operates within a hybrid governance framework, where collaboration between communities and local governments is essential. The study has significant implications for urban planning and policy, contributes to the growing discourse on participatory urban regeneration, and offers practical insights for fostering sustainable community-led initiatives. Full article

Historically renowned for its industrialization, Northwestern Italy is undergoing significant economic transformations after the late 20th century deindustrialization, whose profound impacts present challenges for the development of sustainable approaches to the territory’s urban and rural memoryscapes revitalization. This paper critically analyzes three cases in Ponte Lambro, Sesto San Giovanni, and Genoa, whose industrial histories allow for studying how industrial heritage-making projects can promote socioeconomic opportunities and tourism, balancing community well-being, conservation needs, and social inclusion. The study focuses on what heritage is meant to achieve and how the past and its ties are retroactively “constructed” more than on the material constitution of heritage, examining the initiatives’ contribution to long-term social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. It also applies the analytical method proposed by Muzaini and Minca (2018) to evaluate the inhabitants’ involvement in the heritage-making process. Findings suggest heritage valorization contributes to the creation of complex collective identities and territorial regeneration, although management contradictions and challenges emerge, such as the absence of an integrated and participatory approach. This shows the complexity of heritage-making processes, fluctuating between new meanings, the risk of marginalizing relevant aspects of local memory, the need for sustainable preservation, and the challenges of its touristic and economic consumption. Full article