Geodesign: Lost in regulations (and in practice)

Abstract

Recent outcomes of a trans-disciplinary debate spreading in America, Europe and Asia among scholars and practitioners in spatial planning, urban design, landscape architecture, and Geographic Information Science, propose the concept of Geodesign as a framework for planning and design aiming at addressing some of the most urgent issues of sustainable growth. Geodesign entails the application of methods and techniques for planning sustainable development in an integrated process, from project conceptualization to analysis, simulation and evaluation, from scenario design to impact assessment, in a process including stakeholder participation and collaboration in decision-making strongly relying on the use of digital information technologies. As such, Geodesign may help to put into practice the methodological innovation brought by Strategic Environmental Assessment in planning process that often, so far, failed to be properly implemented. In the light of the above premises, this paper aims at offering critical insights as a contribution to bridge the gap between Geodesign concepts and both spatial planning regulations and practices, with reference to the Italian case study. The analysis is intended to contribute to offer a better understanding of both normative and methodology issues for a fruitful application of Geodesign principles. Making a more explicit linkage between policy principles and planning, may possibly contribute to foster innovation in education, governance and practices to move towards more sustainable processes of savvy growth, which is one of the main goals in smart city governance.