This course will act as a 'knowledge bridge' between theory and practice, in specific the practice that refers to urban and regional planning and the related implementation of projects, programmes, initiatives (hereafter referred to as projects) at different scales (from the urban to the global). Attention will be paid to project design methodologies in accordance with current technical and operational standards.

The overall aim of the course is to develop the students’ abilities to handle complex planning situations. The intention is to foster a critical and creative approach to practical and theoretical work in the field of urban and regional planning within and outside public administration, with private actors, NGOs, national and international agencies, etc.  The students, through practical exercises, will acquire technical tools for the realization of projects ideas and for the preparation of a draft of the project, following different phases in project design and management and including the search for appropriate international partnerships.  After completing this course the student will:  1. demonstrate knowledge of different typologies of project development and organisation  2. demonstrate an understanding of how processes in design, development and subsequent governance shape project outcomes  3. conduct and present a pre-study for a territorial development project suitable for external review by an independent interested organization or funding agency  4. critically reflect on management and/or governance of proposed urban development projects

Basic training in urban studies.

The course is taught through introductory lessons, exercises, simulations, case studies, debriefings and discussions. Practice will always be confronted with theory.  As such, it will be an interactive course divided into three main strands:  • Interactive training sessions, examining theoretical and practical aspects of territorial programmes (such as EU Programmes, like Urban, Urbact, Interreg, CLLD or UN Programmes)  • Workshops, simulation exercises and case studies designed to develop project management essential skills  • A simulation exercise on a funded project in which students will practice the tools and techniques explained.  The training will see extensive use of exercises and case studies as well as modules about all funding opportunities proposed by the EU and other international organisation, paying specific attention to the newest programming periods.  Learning activities in the course consist of lectures, workshops, seminars, and presentations. A central part of the course is dedicated to develope input to a territorial development project in collaboration with a governmental organization, private company or NGO. Furthermore, providing constructive critiques to other students' work is considered as an important part of the course

The course will be organized around a number of lectures, projects reviews and students presentations.  In parallel with the lectures, students will be asked to work alone and/or in groups to research and analyse some territorial projects as case studies, according to the parameters that will be given during the lectures. The spatial context of the projects differs according to the interest area and working subjects of students at different scales.  Individual and collective feedbacks are a key part of the exercise, giving the students the opportunity to maximise their personal learning experience.

Most of the course literature consists of articles from scientific journals available through Politecnico di Torino library or case study documentation that will be provided by the professor.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato scritto individuale; Elaborato scritto prodotto in gruppo;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Individual essay; Group essay;

... Students work will be assessed according to two forms of examination:  • the active participation to workshops and practical activities, developing and and presenting reports during simulation exercises centred around specific case studies (worth 50% of the final mark)  • an oral examination aimed at assessing the acquired skills and abilities (worth 50% of the final mark).

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.