Design for public engagement: merging the role of academics and neighbourhood communities

Design emerges as a pivotal driver in fostering social cohesion, provid-ing the public realm with the tools to face the intricacies of urban living, and conceiving novel pathways for the future. Its influence extends to the creation of spaces and experiences that are not only inclusive but also accessible, fostering community engagement and supporting peo-ple to actively shape the environments that surround them. In this framework, Off Campus Nolo, a neighbourhood living lab in the city of Milan, is showing how bringing academic expertise to a neighbourhood scale can enhance the quality of design actions, explore innovative methods of knowledge co-production and dissemination, and stimulate social innovation within local communities.