Research

The research area promotes critical, creative, and collaborative research focused on innovative and transformative solutions in the field of sustainable urban regeneration. The aim is to develop and disseminate knowledge, methods, and best practices to face complex urban challenges. The research activities are based on cross-disciplinary approaches with the aim to produce collaborative and world-leading research products.

Affordable Housing: Policy Instruments and Innovative Models

Housing affordability has emerged as a structural and complex challenge across the EU and Italy, driven by persistent misalignment between household incomes and housing costs, rental market pressures in metropolitan areas, demographic shifts, and evolving macroeconomic conditions. These dynamics affect different social groups, including students, early-career professionals, low- to middle-income workers, migrants, and older adults on fixed incomes, and highlight the need to conceptualize housing affordability as a multidimensional condition that extends beyond price, incorporating adequacy, tenure stability, and overall housing quality. This research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of housing affordability dynamics and to examine affordable housing through a dual analytical focus. First, it identifies and describes the main policy instruments adopted to promote affordable housing provision, including regulatory, fiscal, and planning instruments, as well as land value capture mechanisms. Second, it analyses innovative models of affordable housing provision through selected case studies that demonstrate advances in governance structures, financial configurations, service integration, and access and allocation mechanisms. Through this dual focus, the research aims to advance knowledge on how policies and emerging models shape affordable housing outcomes, and how cities can leverage both regulatory and market-based approaches to expand affordable housing provision. It also seeks to provide guidance for public authorities, developers, and institutional investors engaged in housing transformation processes.

Year 1 – New Living and Working Models after COVID-19

The first year of SUR Lab explored how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the way people live and work, transforming housing needs, workplace organization, and the use of urban spaces. Through a review of international literature and the analysis of emerging trends, the research identified the main dimensions of change—such as flexibility, interaction, accessibility, and service integration—and developed a framework of new living and working models. The study provides insights into the long-term implications of these transformations for urban development, real estate, and future housing and workplace strategies.

Year 2 – ESG Framework for Sustainable Urban Regeneration

The second year focused on developing an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) framework specifically designed for sustainable urban regeneration. By reviewing and comparing existing sustainability standards, certification systems, reporting frameworks, and impact assessment methodologies, the research identified the most relevant criteria and indicators for urban regeneration projects. The outcome is a structured evaluation framework that supports developers, investors, and public authorities in integrating ESG principles into planning, investment, and decision-making processes.

Year 3 – Business Models for the Implementation and Management of Urban Parks

The third year investigated innovative business models for the implementation and long-term management of urban parks. Building on the analysis of 44 international case studies, the research examined governance arrangements, financing mechanisms, stakeholder roles, and management approaches that enable parks to deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits. The project identified a set of business model archetypes that provide practical guidance for designing sustainable, adaptable, and financially viable urban park initiatives.

Year 4 – Social Value Assessment in Urban Regeneration

The fourth year addressed the growing importance of social value in urban regeneration projects. The research explored the different interpretations of social value, reviewed existing assessment methods and tools, and analysed their applicability across different project types and stakeholders. By systematizing current knowledge and comparing available approaches, the study provides recommendations for measuring and integrating social value into urban regeneration processes, supporting more inclusive, transparent, and impact-oriented decision-making.

Year 5 – Financing Instruments for Climate-Neutral and Resilient Urban Regeneration

The fifth year examines innovative financing instruments that can accelerate climate-neutral and climate-resilient urban regeneration. Combining a review of international literature with the analysis of practical case studies, the research maps and classifies financing mechanisms according to their objectives, implementation models, and impacts on climate mitigation and adaptation. The project identifies the main enabling factors and barriers to their adoption and provides practical guidance for public authorities, investors, developers, and other stakeholders seeking to mobilize financial resources for sustainable urban transformation.

The complete SUR Lab Position Paper Series, including all annual publications, is available for download on the SUR Lab Publications page.