Research Visit at Politecnico di Milano
Exploring Community Collaboration Methodologies for Sustainable Urban Transformation
October 2024
As part of RWTH Aachen University’s Built and Lived Environment Profile Area Ambassadorship Programme, Dr. Ceren Sezer, Group Lead of the CCLab, conducted a two-week research visit to Politecnico di Milano (Polimi). The visit, hosted by Prof. Eugenio Morello at the Laboratory of Urban Simulation, provided a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research in urban sustainability, digital technologies, and participatory planning. The visit allowed Dr. Sezer to engage with Polimi’s innovative work in integrating digital tools and immersive technologies in urban design especially relevant for energy transitions and public space transformation.
This visit also contributed to the development of two international research proposals: a COST Action and a Horizon Europe project, both coordinated by Dr. Sezer. These proposals aim to promoted cross-European collaboration on digital tools for participatory urban transformation and just energy transitions, with active involvement from Politecnico di Milano as key academic partner.
Additionally, Dr. Sezer joined design studios on energy transition in Milan and public space revitalisation in Genoa, offering practical insight into how cities embed sustainability in urban practice.
During the visit, Dr. Sezer also attended seminars exploring GIS, digital simulations, and collaborative platforms for sustainable urban development. A particularly inspiring session by Prof. Barbara Piga demonstrated the use of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) in university campus design showing how such tools can make urban transformations more accessible to campus community and city inhabitants.
Insights from Politecnico di Torino’s Decision Theatre
A highlight was a visit to Politecnico di Torino, where Dr. Sezer explored the Decision Theatre an interactive tool for stakeholder engagement in energy and mobility planning, developed by Prof. Ettore Bompard, the head of Department of Energy (DENERG). This approach offers valuable potential for applying scenario-based planning in university campuses and beyond.
Enriching Research and Opening New Collaborations
Dr. Sezer’s visit to Polimi opened up numerous avenues for future collaboration. From AR/VR applications to decision-theatre methodologies, the experience demonstrated how digital tools can transform participatory and transparent planning. These insights will directly inform the ongoing work of CCLab to develop university campuses as energy-positive communities, combining digital innovation with collaborative design practices.