Design Tensions Between Attractiveness and Inclusivity in Milan Public Universities: The Case of a Student Housing Orientation Service

As Milan public universities compete globally to attract economic capital and student flows, they simultaneously face growing challenges in addressing the housing affordability crisis affecting their student populations. This paper reflects on the design tensions emerging within the service ecosystem of Politecnico di Milano, starting from the shortcomings encountered during the development of the multidisciplinary research-action project StudMIHome: Students Living in Milan; a study on student housing conducted by three research departments of the university, with the objective of prototyping and testing a housing orientation service for students.