About
IMM DesignLab is a research laboratory of the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering of Politecnico di Milano. We help urban professionals navigate the complexities of city systems. Through data-driven strategies and design expertise, we’re here to guide your vision for more sustainable, resilient, and livable cities.
Our work spans multiple urban areas, from improving mobility to fostering environmental sustainability. By studying the structural relationships within cities — such as connectivity, density, and spatial organization — we provide comprehensive insights that help planners, designers, and policy-makers create cities that function better.
Key Areas of Activity
Urban Systems Analysis: We analyze the interconnections between city infrastructure, social systems, and environmental factors to identify patterns that can inform better urban planning.
Design & Strategy: We work alongside public and private sector organizations to integrate system-based thinking into urban projects and policies, ensuring more sustainable and effective urban solutions.
Team Training & Workshops: We offer training programs and workshops to equip urban professionals with the tools and knowledge to apply systems thinking to their own projects and practice.
Educational Events: Our online and in-person events bring together experts and practitioners to discuss urban challenges and innovative solutions
15-minute City
1. Next steps for multimodal urban mobility, building on the travel experience2. Reimagining parking – transforming urban parking policies3. Mobility policymaking in context of radical contestation
Circular Urban Economies
CUE topic 1: Resilient green and social infrastructureCUE topic 2: Sustainable tourism – circular benefits and challenges CUE topic 3: Public procurement to foster urban greening and circularity
Positive Energy Districts
PED topic 1: Driving a just transition: PED strategies in social and subsidised housingPED topic 2: Ensuring positive socio-economic impact: PEDs in local economies and energy marketsPED topic 3: PEDs in urban heating and cooling strategies