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RENEW-Futures: Regenerative Design for Beautiful, Inclusive and Ecological Neighbourhoods

Duration:
01/09/2026 - 31/08/2030
Principal investigator(s):
Project type:
UE-funded research - HE - Mission
Funding body:
COMMISSIONE EUROPEA (Commissione Europea)
Project identification number:
101308644
PoliTo role:
Partner

Abstract

RENEW-Futures will develop, demonstrate, and validate a novel regenerative design methodology and associated tools for developing beautiful, inclusive, and ecological neighbourhoods within urban, peri-urban and rural settings. The methodology enables the integration of regenerative interventions, from individual buildings and shared infrastructure to wider neighbourhood landscapes. The methodology and tools will empower stakeholders throughout the construction ecosystem, including local communities, to achieve water-positive, energy self-sufficient, climate-resilient, and climate-positive developments that actively restore ecosystems and enhance community health and wellbeing. To achieve this, the project will integrate key design perspectives applicable to regenerative buildings and neighbourhoods, encompassing ecological considerations, biodiversity enhancement, low-carbon solutions, energy and aesthetic values, embracing water-positive designs, and fostering inclusivity.

RENEW-Futures advances beyond the state of the art by integrating environmental regeneration, social inclusion, and cultural value within a single operational methodology. Its Regenerative Neighbourhood Design Tool (RN-DT) uniquely couples environmental modelling (water, energy, materials, biodiversity) with indicators of wellbeing and belonging, co-created through social-science and arts methods. Novel features include a water-centred systems framework, interdependency modelling across building-to-city scales, and immersive XR interfaces that democratise complex decisions. This fusion of digital innovation and participatory design delivers the first integrated, evidence-based approach to regenerative neighbourhoods - advancing sustainability from efficiency to measurable regeneration.

Structures

Partners

  • POLITECNICO DI TORINO - AMMINISTRAZIONE CENTRALE
  • University of Bath – UK - Coordinator

Keywords

ERC sectors

PE8_9 - Production technology, process engineering
PE6_2 - Computer systems, parallel/distributed systems, sensor networks, embedded systems, cyber-physical systems
PE10_3 - Climatology and climate change
SH2_1 - Political systems, governance

Sustainable Development Goals

Obiettivo 6. Garantire a tutti la disponibilità e la gestione sostenibile dell’acqua e delle strutture igienico-sanitarie|Obiettivo 7. Assicurare a tutti l’accesso a sistemi di energia economici, affidabili, sostenibili e moderni|Obiettivo 11. Rendere le città e gli insediamenti umani inclusivi, sicuri, duraturi e sostenibili|Obiettivo 13. Promuovere azioni, a tutti i livelli, per combattere il cambiamento climatico*

Budget

Total cost: € 8,268,781.75
Total contribution: € 7,919,780.50
PoliTo total cost: € 753,750.00
PoliTo contribution: € 753,750.00