Design driven approach to housing

Recent European housing policies have been focussing on the attractiveness of cities and their growth potential. In accordance with the European social model, homes are considered a primary asset and a fundamental right, as well as a basic component of human dignity. On the basis of this more general approach to the housing issue, new draft laws have been proposed within the European cohesion policy 2014-2020 regarding: partnership contracts; the place-based approach and the possibility of local authorities to enable community-led local development and integrated territorial investments at subregional level, financed by a combination of funds. It is therefore likely that in future years there might be cooperation between cities and housing organisations for the construction of affordable dwellings, as well as new forms of cooperation with enterprises in terms of innovation (CECODHAS Housing Europe, 2011). The innovation theme is linked to some facts from which two are particularly evident: 1 - the upturn of the value component related to the immaterial aspects of products; 2 - the role of open innovation, more specifically the possibility to progress by creating extensive networks of collaboration. This contribution uncovers the results of an investigation carried out by a research group from Politecnico di Milano that since more than a decade is working with Mantua’s administration on planning, design and governance processes. This was an endeavour both, theoretical and experimental, examining the innovation dynamics at the level of complex projects meant for strengthening the territorial requalification and growth. Inter alia, this report will also refer the outcomes of a competition for students and young professionals organised by TEMA Laboratory of the Milan Polytechnic-Mantua campus together with Poliespanso Srl, and aimed at promoting new potential uses of the Plastbau technology for the construction of low-cost residential buildings. This action was part of a wide range of research initiatives sponsored by Regione Lombardia and other institutions within the Province of Mantua in order to respond to the innovation need of the small and medium enterprises in the area. The objective was to identify the strategic factors and success elements as well as their potential transferability to various contexts, from a perspective of governance also of the innovation in itself.