81937 - Services and Products for the Built Environment

Learning outcomes

The module is based on paradigms that align the design of the service with the need to design urban components related to living, capable of considering citizens’ participatory needs, the quality and sustainability of the intervention, and the personalized approach over standardization. By the end of the course, the student will be able to: Provide a sum of services and products for public or private use in urban contexts; Identify and materialize the process of a service related to living; Integrate cultural values into both the immaterial and material design of a service.

Course contents

The integrated course "Technologies Laboratory I.C." focuses on the design of products and services aimed at improving the quality and sustainability of the urban environment, developed with a view to fostering civic inclusion and taking into account aspects such as understanding, awareness, access and behaviour. The course will begin with an analysis and understanding of the context of intervention – including through the use of digital tools – and the definition of design challenges and requirements, before moving on to develop appropriate response and/or mitigation strategies, assessing their applicability, feasibility and scalability.

Module 1 of the course “Services and Products for the Built Environment”, part of the ‘Technologies Laboratory I.C.’, focuses on building analytical and technical skills and methods that involve the use of data (and digital systems) within service design, particularly with regard to research aspects. The course will, in particular, explore the application of a critical perspective to the use of data for analysing the urban or territorial context, understood as a testing ground for service design. The results of the analysis will be used to define design requirements.

Module 2 of the course “Services and Products for the Built Environment” focuses on the integration of space, services and urban communities across the various stages of the design process, as well as on defining aspects of scalability and replicability.

From a methodological perspective, the project – as the outcome of the entire integrated course – will be developed in progressive steps, each corresponding to the achievement of certain key objectives which will be outlined during the classes.

Readings/Bibliography

Ascari, M. (2026). Design within Urban (Eco)Systems: Exploring Interconnected Practices between Humans, Data and the Environment. Fondazione Bologna University Press. https://doi.org/10.30682/9791254778326

Ascari, M. & Colitti, S. (2025). Dati, Giovani e Cultura. Il design come attivatore di nuove relazioni per le biblioteche di Bologna. Tatanka APS. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14961595

Boeri, A., Gianfrate, V., & Longo, D. (2016). Green buildings and design for adaptation: Strategies for renovation of the built environment. International Journal of Energy Production and Management, 1(2), 172–191. https://doi.org/10.2495/EQ-V1-N2-172-191

Boulanger, S. O. M., & Massari, M. (2022). Advocating Urban Transition: A Qualitative Review of Institutional and Grassroots Initiatives in Shaping Climate-Aware Cities. Sustainability, 14(5), 2701. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052701

Cairo, A. (2013). L’arte funzionale: Infografica e visualizzazione delle informazioni. Pearson Italia.

Celaschi, F. (2008). Design mediatore tra bisogni. La cultura del progetto tra arte/scienza e problemi quotidiani: L’esempio dei beni culturali. Design as mediator of needs. Design culture between art/science and everyday problems: The example of cultural heritage. In C. Germak, Uomo al centro del progetto. Design per un nuovo umanesimo. Man at the centre of the project. Design for a new humanism. (pp. 40–52). Umberto Allemandi & C.

D’Ignazio, C., Gordon, E., & Christoforetti, E. (2019). Sensors and Civics: Towards a Community-Centered Smart City. In P. Cardullo, C. Di Feliciantonio, & R. Kitchin, Right to the Smart City (pp. 113–124). Emerald.

D'Ignazio, C. & Klein, L. (2020). Data feminism. The MIT Press

Gaziulusoy, İ., & Erdoğan Öztekin, E. (2019). Design for Sustainability Transitions: Origins, Attitudes and Future Directions. Sustainability, 11(13), 3601. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133601

Granata, E. (2021). Placemaker. Gli inventori dei luoghi che abiteremo. Einaudi.

Formia, E., Ginocchini, G., & Ascari, M. (2021). Attivare processi di empowerment dei cittadini. I dati per leggere bisogni individuali e collettivi della società. MD JOURNAL, 11(2021), 52–61.

Gaziulusoy, İ., & Erdoğan Öztekin, E. (2019). Design for Sustainability Transitions: Origins, Attitudes and Future Directions. Sustainability, 11(13), 3601. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11133601

Houston, L., Gabrys, J., & Pritchard, H. (2019). Breakdown in the Smart City: Exploring Workarounds with Urban-sensing Practices and Technologies. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 44(5), 843–870. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162243919852677

Mauri, M., & Ciuccarelli, P. (2016, June 25). Designing diagrams for social issues. Design Research Society Conference 2016. https://doi.org/10.21606/drs.2016.185

Papanek, V. (1972). Design for the real world. Thames & Hudson.

Purcell, M. (2002). Excavating Lefebvre: The right to the city and its urban politics of the inhabitant. GeoJournal, 58(2–3), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GEJO.0000010829.62237.8f

Sartori, L. (2015). Alla ricerca della smart citizenship. Istituzioni del federalismo: rivista di studi giuridici e politici, 4(2015), 927–948.

Sennett, R. (2018). Costruire e abitare. Etica per la città. Feltrinelli.

Tironi, M., Albornoz, C., & Chilet, M. (2022). Problematizing Human-Centred Design: Notes on Planet-Oriented Design. Diid - Disegno Industriale Industrial Design, 77, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.30682/diid772022c

Venturini, T., Ricci, D., Mauri, M., Kimbell, L., & Meunier, A. (2015). Designing Controversies and Their Publics. Design Issues, 31(3), 74–87. https://doi.org/10.1162/DESI_a_00340

Verdeil, É. (2020). Atlas des mondes urbains. Presses de Sciences Po.

Teaching methods

The course alternates between lectures and group-based laboratory activities designed to enhance the skills learned and the ability to develop projects. Activities such as meetings with external stakeholders and educational field trips are planned to provide additional inspiration for the project work. Regular reviews of project progress by the instructors are scheduled to assess advancements, along with collective presentations of the results achieved.

Assessment methods

The course includes intermediate reviews in seminar format to assess the progress of the project works. The exam consists of a presentation and discussion by students, organized in groups, of the projects developed during the course. The final evaluation of each student will take into account their individual contribution and the results achieved during the activities.

The assessment is based on the weighted application of the following three criteria: knowledge of theoretical content and bibliography, as well as acquisition of instrumental and methodological skills (30%); depth of the project hypothesis (30%); clarity and effectiveness in presentation (40%).

USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

AI can be a useful tool to support independent study by providing in-depth analysis, summaries and self-assessment exercises. With regard to assessment, limited, declared and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (summaries, rephrasing). Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the assessment is not permitted.

Teaching tools

The communication tools, IT resources, and technical support made available within the University of Bologna will be used.

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Ascari

See the website of Pierluigi Molteni