Integration of Social Science in Engineering Research for Smart Cities. the Italian Case of the RES NOVAE Project

In this paper, the evaluation of the advancement in the analysis and interpretation of the urban sustainability, starting from the transformations involving the current city structural models (building characteristics and distribution, transport network, green areas and water management, the public space systems) and the implementation of suitable systemic planning programs for their management, is carried out. The article specifically analyzes the Italian project RES NOVAE, where the profitable partnership between research, training and interdisciplinary work in the context of the energy transition is encouraging the participation and involvement of citizens in the vision and definition of their Smart City. All these aspects were investigated in a situation in which training, research, technological and social innovation transit through different perspectives of analysis, providing new models of interpretation and application of urban sustainability.