Reuse and Spatial Regeneration

Course

Italian and European cities host millions of unused buildings. Italy’s built environment grew over 400% in seventy years, and disused properties represent both an urgent challenge and a regeneration opportunity. The Course in Reuse and Spatial Regeneration equips participants with meta-design tools, community engagement methods, and hybrid governance models to lead complex transformations. They learn to turn vacant buildings and obsolete spaces into drivers of shared value for territories and communities. Here are the program goals:

• Design revitalization strategies and usage scenarios capable of preserving the identity of places through progressive transformation
• Develop social and territorial activation, engaging communities to transform unused spaces into new active places for the area
• Build and manage relationships among public, private, and community actors, understanding key institutional roles in regeneration
• Assess economic opportunities from reuse, structuring sustainable management models and identifying funding resources.

The Course investigates reuse as a strategic and decision-making process where design plays a key role: building visions, integrating public and private initiatives, facilitating community engagement. Through meta-design tools, territorial analysis, participatory processes, and hybrid governance models, participants acquire methodologies to activate complex transformations in real contexts. The main features of the program are: 

• Theoretical-practical path combining strategy, design, and governance for urban regeneration and the temporary reuse of unused or underused spaces 
• Online modules covering usage scenarios, participatory design, economic models, and communication of transformation visions.
• Multidisciplinary approach: from meta-design tools to community activation, conflict management, and public-private-community relations.
• Focus on real cases and operational tools: cultural programming, funding sources, SROI, and impact storytelling.
• Insights from international professionals and field practitioners, for a practice-oriented approach to design 
• Final in-person workshop in Milan, featuring guided tours and possibly a collaborative exercise to complement them.

Download the Course fact sheet for accurate information on the training program.

Didactics

Attendance

At least 80% attendance is mandatory.

Didactic Modules

The program lasts 45 hours (8 weeks) and includes 14 online sessions as well as an in-person workshop. Classes are scheduled on days and at times that allow working professionals to attend.

Module 1 | 6h (online)

Strategic Reuse

Reuse and regeneration as a strategic process: concepts, drivers, European frameworks, and design’s role in shaping transformation visions and meta-design tools.

Module 2 | 4h (online)

Usage Scenarios

Building usage scenarios and operational visions: scenario building, temporary use, meanwhile use, event-based activation, and programming of spaces.

Module 3 | 6h (online)

Participatory Design

Community activation: co-design processes, conflict management, and social innovation methodologies in regeneration contexts.

Module 4 | 6h (online)

Temporary Reuse

Temporary reuse and the role of events: activation strategies, cultural programming, and impact on long-term regeneration processes.

Module 5 | 6h (online)

Governance & Actors

Public-private-community relationships, institutional frameworks, legal tools, and hybrid governance structures for urban regeneration.

Module 6 | 4h (online)

Economic Models

Measuring impact and identifying resources, funding sources, social return on investment (SROI), and sustainable management structures for space reuse.

Module 7 | 4h (online)

Communication

Narrative strategies, stakeholder engagement, impact measurement, and communication of transformation visions to different audiences.

Module 8 | 9h (in-person)

Workshop — Regeneration Lab

In-person workshop with guided tours of notable case studies in Milan, plus a possible on-site collaborative exercise. For those unable to attend in person, the exercise is mandatory and must be completed independently. 

Title Released

Upon completion of the program, participants will receive an Open Badge certifying the skills acquired. It is a recognized credential that adds tangible value to your professional profile and career path.

The Open Badge is awarded upon achieving the following requirements:

• Test: passing the assessment session
• Attendance: at least 80% attendance at the scheduled activities

The Open Badge is issued by: POLI.design, Center for Post-graduate Design Education, founded by Politecnico di Milano.

Admission

Requirements

No specific skills are required.

The course is designed for professionals working both in the public and private sectors: architects, urban planners, engineers, project managers, government officials, developers, cultural practitioners, regional consultants, as well as cooperatives, foundations, and third-sector organizations interested in the adaptive reuse of disused assets as a driver of community engagement and local development.

Deadlines

Application deadline: 18/01/2027

Price

The total cost of the Course is 2.400,00 € (including VAT) for each student. This sum will be paid with a single payment upon signing the contract.

PROMO

LEARNING COLLECTION CATALOGUE LAUNCH: -40%
A special promotion for everyone enrolling in Courses from the Learning Collection catalogue, extended until November 30, 2026.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: -40%
A discount dedicated to recent graduates and young professionals aged 21 to 35 who choose courses from the Learning Collection catalog to kickstart their careers.

POLI.design PARTNER: -30%
A discount for all members of the networks associated with POLI.design’s partners (Politecnico di Milano, ADI, AIAP, AIPI, FederlegnoArredo) and for Course partners.
To benefit from the POLI.design Partner discount, you must apply the exclusive discount code at checkout.

PA & BUSINESS BOOST: from -20% to -35%
A discount designed for Public Administration entities, companies, and organizations that recognize training as a decisive factor for growth. “PA & Business Boost” provides access to a variable reduction on the participation fee for one or more employees. Specifically, the discount amounts to:

• 20% on the participation fee for the first employee’s enrollment
• 25% on the participation fee for the second employee’s enrollment
• 30% on the participation fee for the third employee’s enrollment
• 35% on the participation fee for the fourth employee’s enrollment and beyond.

FRIEND TO FRIEND: -20%
An opportunity to gift to a friend to make education the foundation of their growth.

MORE THAN ONE: -50%
A discount for those who want to perfect their skills, for  those  who continually invest in education, not just once but multiple times.
The “More than One” discount provides a 50% reduction on the participation fee for two or three Executive Courses. Therefore:

• For those purchasing two Courses, the reduction is 50% on the participation fee for the lower-priced training program.
• For those purchasing three Courses, the reduction is 50% on the participation fee for the two lower-priced training programs.

BACK TO SCHOOL: -30% on Executive Courses
The discount for those who have already trusted POLI.design and Polimi, and wish to return to study and build their future

A4NP
This educational program participates in the ‘Action for Non Profit’ initiative, which provides free access (while supplies last) to NGO staff. Discover more!

Discounts cannot be combined.

Faculty