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Learning-by-Doing Methodology towards Urban Decarbonisation: An Application in Valletta (Malta)

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Maccanti

    (Ecodynamics Group, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
    Etika Consulting Srl, 55018 Capannori, Italy)

  • Romina D’Ascanio

    (Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Federica Di Pietrantonio

    (Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Michela Marchi

    (Ecodynamics Group, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy)

  • Jesús Vargas Molina

    (Global Change Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, History and Phylosophy, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Riccardo Maria Pulselli

    (Heritage Architecture Urbanism Department of Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Andrea Poldrugovac

    (Istrian Regional Energy Agency, 52220 Labin, Croatia)

  • Diane Schembri Cassar

    (Malta Intelligent Energy Management Agency, VLT 1310 Valletta, Malta)

  • Lorenzo Barbieri

    (Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Josefina López Galdeano

    (Global Change Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, History and Phylosophy, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Valentina Niccolucci

    (Ecodynamics Group, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy)

  • Carmela Gioia

    (Ecodynamics Group, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy)

  • Francesca Paola Mondelli

    (Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Jesmond Xuereb

    (Malta Intelligent Energy Management Agency, VLT 1310 Valletta, Malta)

  • Anna Laura Palazzo

    (Department of Architecture, Roma Tre University, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Simone Bastianoni

    (Ecodynamics Group, Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy)

Abstract

Since approximately 75% of Europeans currently live in cities, and this number will rise, urban areas are the most important testbeds for energy transition, climate change adaptation measures, and decarbonisation models, on which studies and efforts for concrete change must focus. The teaching of mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change and decarbonisation models has gradually taken up space within university courses. However, the complexity of the decarbonisation issue is raising awareness on the urgency of an interdisciplinary approach that can be conveyed by spatial planning. Currently, this approach is not widespread in Higher Education Institutions in Europe but is nonetheless necessary to let new professional profiles emerge who are able to coordinate different stakeholders, data, and information sources. The Erasmus+ project CITY MINDED (2020–2022) has worked in this direction, by developing and testing a methodology for the design of a structured ordinary practice for teaching urban decarbonisation to students in Higher Education. This practice (at the same time, interdisciplinary, collaborative, experiential, and place-based) aims to offer students a combination of different approaches and working methods to investigate and improve urban neighbourhoods and districts, resulting in the definition of an operative roadmap for decarbonisation in the medium-to-long-term. The aim of this article is to highlight the learning-by-doing experience developed by the project consortium, with reference to the testing of the methodology conducted within an Intensive Course in the City of Valletta (Malta). In particular, the paper illustrates how this experience succeeded in stimulating students with different academic backgrounds to establish connections across disciplines, in raising their awareness about the complexity of city decarbonisation processes. Overcoming the strict time and budget constraints of an EU-funded project, such an approach can be further developed, replicated on theoretical grounds, and implemented within different degree programmes dealing with urban sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Maccanti & Romina D’Ascanio & Federica Di Pietrantonio & Michela Marchi & Jesús Vargas Molina & Riccardo Maria Pulselli & Andrea Poldrugovac & Diane Schembri Cassar & Lorenzo Barbieri & Josefin, 2023. "Learning-by-Doing Methodology towards Urban Decarbonisation: An Application in Valletta (Malta)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:5807-:d:1108484
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    References listed on IDEAS

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