Urban morphology parameters and positive energy districts – University Campuses as drivers of urban transitions

Authors

  • Michela Barosio Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
  • Martina Crapolicchio Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
  • Rossella Gugliotta Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
  • Marco Trisciuoglio Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69143/2464-9309/18112025

Keywords:

positive energy districts, morphological parameters, university campuses, urban laboratories, urban transition

Abstract

How can co-creation processes be activated for energy transition strategies through university campuses as promoters of the initiative? To answer this question, the paper presents the first results of the EDUPED project, which aims to accelerate the transition towards Positive Energy Districts by applying typo-morphological approaches to urban regeneration and assuming university campuses as drivers, orchestrators, and knowledge hubs. Through the definition of morphological parameters and guidelines, five Living Labs located in the Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Italy, and Romania integrate technical, socio-economic, and governance dimensions. The innovation lies in the central role of university Campuses, which act as urban laboratories and catalysts of sustainable practices. The first results concern the definition of urban morphological parameters, which form the ground for retrofit and climate adaptation plans in university districts.

 

Article info

Received: 22/09/2025; Revised: 22/10/2025; Accepted: 23/10/2025

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Author Biographies

Michela Barosio, Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Architect and PhD in Architecture and Building Design, she is an Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design. A Member of the Council of the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE), she is the author of numerous publications on urban morphology, computational design, and design education and pedagogy.
E-mail: michela.barosio@polito.it

Martina Crapolicchio, Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Architect and PhD in Architecture, History, and Project, she is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino (Italy).
E-mail: martina.crapolicchio@polito.it

Rossella Gugliotta, Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

PhD in Architecture, History, and Project, she is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Architecture and Design.
E-mail: rossella.gugliotta@polito.it

Marco Trisciuoglio, Politecnico di Torino (Italy)

Architect and PhD in Methodological Problems in Architectural Design, he is a Full Professor at the Department of Architecture and Design. He is Co-Director of the Joint Research Unit ‘Transitional Morphologies’, established between the Politecnico di Torino and Southeast University of Nanjing (People’s Republic of China). His research explores the city as a collective construction of buildings, spaces, and symbols in the international context, drawing on the methods and tools of the Italian morphological tradition.
E-mail: marco.trisciuoglio@polito.it

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Bird’s-eye view of Barcelona, Spain (credit: Rockwell Branding Agency). AGATHÓN 18 | 2025

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Published

30-12-2025

How to Cite

Barosio, M., Crapolicchio, M., Gugliotta, R. and Trisciuoglio, M. (2025) “Urban morphology parameters and positive energy districts – University Campuses as drivers of urban transitions”, AGATHÓN | International Journal of Architecture, Art and Design, 18, pp. 212–223. doi: 10.69143/2464-9309/18112025.

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