Objectives & Syllabuses

The aim of the “Architecture” curriculum of the Joint PhD Programme is to strengthen the synergistic cooperation of design, process and building. The field of interest ranges from technologies based on innovative materials, to industrial design (inclusive design) and restoration and building maintenance according environmental sustainability. On the other side, the “Urban Planning” curriculum addresses the issues of public realm, with reference to the evolution and changes of the socio-economic and environmental context. In particular, the role of the discipline is taken in consideration as a tool for reading, understanding, planning and designing urban and territorial transformations in a sustainable development perspective, with an interdisciplinary approach open to international comparison.
 The PhD course shall explore cross field research approaches based on the research activities of the PhD Candidate, the active debate with the teachers (taking part at the joint sittings) and experts of real estate and construction market. The researches shall be developed under an international scale. The educational goal is leading to acquire knowledge in disciplinary and interdisciplinary theories, methods and tools, inside the framework of current contemporary architectural and industrial design research through the development of networking abilities, inter-disciplinary research skills and capacities of elaboration of innovative theories and relationship with the productive and social world. All this without forgetting to improve skills in the management of complex issues (legal, contractual, etc.) coming from research reports - to and from - the Public Administrations and knowledge of the prevailing European policies on environmental sustainability. About the specific doctoral teaching activities of the international programme - focused on the above mentioned purposes - these have been set and grouped within three Syllables titled:

Syllabus 1

Architectural Research Methods

The formative objective is to acquire knowledge in disciplinary and interdisciplinary theories, methods and tools, inside the framework of current contemporary architectural research. The aim is the development of networking abilities, inter-disciplinary research skills and capacities of elaboration of innovative theories and relationship with the productive and social world. At this aim, the following training modules will be activated:

• Introduction to doctoral studies and methods for advanced research;
• State of the art: from the selection of the sources to the identification of case studies as best practices.
• Originality, methodology, structure and research aims (in the field of Architecture);
• Theories and methods of architectural and technological sustainable design;
• Industrial design between creativity and industrial rules: tools, methods, trial and patent processes..
• Approaches for the protection, conservation, restoration, management and promotion of cultural heritage: from the artifact to the landscape;
• Experimental material and immaterial research: innovative materials and innovative digital tools for the design and real time simulation.

The modules are characterized by activities in the form of lectures, conducted by lecturers and organized in specific seminars, or within workshops with well-known guests or external experts. Each activity ensures the acquisition of minimum 2 doctoral credits and it is checked and verified by the trainer in charge.

Syllabus 2

Multidisciplinary Approach to Urban Planning

The methodological perspective of research and training is multidisciplinary and based on the objective to train scholars with high specialization, but able to read and interact with various multi-disciplinary components, and with urban design in its complex process. At this aim, the following training modules will be activated:

• Methodology of scientific research;
• Originality, methodology, structure and purpose of research in urban planning;
• Urbanization and forms of the city;
• Urban planning between plan and project;
• Theories, methods, experiences of urban planning: sources and keywords; emerging issues and best practices;
• Paths, structures, relationships. Reading and interpretation of urban and territorial transformation.
• The "Urban project" as process and project.
• Urban studies & Environmental Management;
• Planning approaches, urban and landscaping regeneration in the policies of protection, conservation, management and promotion of cultural heritage;

The modules are characterized by activities in the form of lectures, conducted by lecturers and organized in specific seminars, or within workshops with well-known guests or external experts. Each activity ensures the acquisition of minimum 2 doctoral credits and it is checked and verified by the trainer in charge.

Syllabus 3

Research Theories and Legal Sustainable Planning Policies

The training action aims, on the one hand, to the understanding of the strict theoretical relationship among Art, Design, Architecture, Philosophy and anthropology in the most interdisciplinary research, on the other hand, to be aware of some topics and forefront toolkits of the research. In addition, aim of the syllabus is to improve skills in the management of complex issues (legal, contractual, etc.) derived from research reports - to and from - the Public Administrations and knowledge of the prevailing European policies on environmental sustainability. At this aim, the following training modules will be activated:

• At this aim, the following training modules will be activated:
• Theory of Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture;
• Philosophy of Space and Anthropology;
• Computational Design;
• Advanced drawing theories and methods;
• EU Urban, Environmental & Spatial Planning Policies;
• Land Use, Infrastructure and Housing;
• Legislation and Public Administration.

The modules are characterized by activities in the form of lectures, conducted by lecturers and organized in specific seminars, or within workshops with well-known guests or external experts. Each activity ensures the acquisition of minimum 2 doctoral credits and it is checked and verified by the trainer in charge