Organized by
Eugenio Morello, Chair of the Ph.D. programme in Urban Planning, Design and Policy; Dafni Riga, Tutor to the Ph.D. programme in Urban Planning, Design and Policy
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The Role of Research in Urban Planning in Professional Practice Today
Ph.D. Programme in Urban Planning, Design & Policy – UPDP Cycle of Seminars - Fall 2025
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Who is questioning the challenges and transformations of the city today, and who is making an impact in this field? Is there still room for research in urban planning today?
Who is pursuing it in professional practice?
These are the questions that will guide the seminar series, aimed at exploring the role of research in urban planning in contemporary practice. Through the involvement of professional firms that invest in research through research and development units and participation in research projects, the cycle will focus on three main areas of reflection:
- The importance of research in urban planning in today’s professional context, analyzing whether and how it contributes to design practice and urban policy-making.
- The areas of research currently explored by urban studies, highlighting emerging issues and areas of greatest interest, both theoretical and applied.
- The frontiers of research in urban planning, the perspectives that studies wish to open or consolidate, and the skills required to meet these challenges.
The cycle will involve a two-way dialogue: after listening to the research experiences of the invited offices, the seminars will focus on interacting with ongoing research in the doctoral program, seeking a concrete match between the issues addressed in the theses and the most innovative developments in applied research. This exchange will help
reflect on the connections between academic training and professional needs, identifying areas of collaboration and future development for urban planning research.
Each seminar will host two invited guests from prominent urban planning firms. The speakers will present their recent and ongoing research projects, addressing the three core questions of the seminar. Following their presentations, they will engage in a rich discussion with doctoral students, exploring future challenges and the potential role of scientific research in urban planning in shaping the future of society.
Programme
The seminars will take place in October - December 2025, on Mondays at 17:30.
The seminars are open to all UPDP Ph.D. candidates (spots guaranteed).
A limited number of places are available for external participants — please contact dafnitheodosia.riga@polimi.it for
registration.
Seminar #1 - 20.10.2025
Seminar #1 - 20.10.2025
Silvia Botti – One Works Foundation
Andrea Gorrini – Transform Transport
Seminar #2 - 03.11.2025
Antonello Magliozzi – ARCADIS Italia
Marina Trentin – Ambiente Italia
Seminar #3 - 24.11.2025
Federico Parolotto – MIC-HUB
Valentina Galiulo – LAND Italia
Seminar #4 - 01.12.2025
Samuel Tolentino – META srl
Stefano Recalcati – ARUP Italia
Seminar #5 - 15.12.2025 (TBC)
Adriano Bisello – JAKALA
Franco Guidi – Lombardini 22