Architectural Characters

The final phase of analysis for each case study involves identifying key architectural characters expressed through design. Through a deductive process, we define four significant categories that encapsulate architectural invariants: Trans-disciplinarity, Inter-scalarity, Multi-temporality, and Multi-stakeholder. Architectural characters, as traditionally understood in architectural history, express the core essence of design. However, in this context, they reflect a paradigm shift influenced by adaptive approaches (Andaloro, 2023), which assumes the variable of change as a structural feature. Each character has then been further explored, in order to define sub-categories which can better express their meanings, as shown in the figure below.

Diagram showing different architectural character. This is used to quickly visualise which characters, and to what extent, are addressed for each project (Content development: B.Andaloro, A.Raffa; graphical realization B.Andaloro; NatureCityLAB, 2024).

Inter-scalarity

Multi-scalarity emerges as a central concept in Climate-Adaptive Urban Regeneration based on Nature for infrastructural spaces. This approach recognizes that effective urban regeneration of infrastructure must simultaneously consider different spatial scales, from individual sites and neighborhoods to the entire city and regional dimension. By addressing the specific needs and characteristics of each scale, Climate-Adaptive Urban Regeneration projects based on Nature can contribute to the creation of interconnected and resilient urban environments that are better equipped to withstand the impacts of climate change.

Inter-scalar strategies ensure that local actions contribute to urban and regional resilience, promoting sustainable and cohesive development. This holistic approach is essential to maximize the benefits of nature-based solutions, such as enhancing biodiversity, improving water management, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and increasing the quality of life in urban spaces. Integrating inter-scalarity into urban planning and design processes allows for the development of more adaptive, robust, and inclusive solutions that effectively respond to the complexities and challenges posed by climate change.

Multi-subject

The character of Multi-subject emphasizes the importance of involving a diverse and multidisciplinary group of actors, including both public and private entities, as well as direct and indirect stakeholders. The engagement of multiple stakeholders enables responses to diverse needs and perspectives, ensuring more comprehensive and inclusive solutions.

Multi-subject collaboration fosters a sense of shared responsibility and ownership, strengthening the commitment and cooperation necessary for the effective implementation of projects. This cooperation is essential for aligning different interests and objectives, facilitating the smooth development of projects. Ultimately, multi-subject collaboration enriches the design process, contributing to the creation of more resilient and adaptive urban environments that can effectively respond to the complexities of climate change and urban development.

Trans-disciplinarity

Trans-disciplinarity underscores the property of a project to be the outcome of a development process enriched by diverse fields of knowledge, thus defining a holistic and integrated process. This characteristic is particularly vital in co-creation processes, where experts from various domains collaborate in the design phase to maximize innovation and impact. By embracing multiple perspectives, trans-disciplinary ensures that complex challenges are addressed more comprehensively, incorporating not only human needs but also the requirements of other-than-human entities within ecological and urban systems.

When applied to Climate-Adaptive Urban Regeneration rooted in Nature-based strategies, this collaborative approach becomes even more crucial. The integration of expertise from disciplines such as architecture, urbanism, ecology, hydrology, and social sciences enhances the capacity to develop resilient, adaptive, and inclusive urban environments. By bridging scientific knowledge, design experimentation, and local insights, trans-disciplinarity fosters the creation of innovative solutions that are both ecologically sustainable and socially equitable, ultimately redefining the way cities respond to climate challenges.

Multi-temporality

Multi-temporality refers to a project's ability to adapt and evolve over time, dynamically responding to different times of the day, seasonal changes, annual variations, and long-term scenarios.

Integrating multi-temporality into urban regeneration strategies ensures that interventions maintain their effectiveness and relevance as environmental conditions and social needs change, through time. This temporal flexibility enables continuous improvement of urban spaces, strengthening their resilience and sustainability. A design approach based on multi-temporality allows for addressing immediate needs while anticipating future challenges and opportunities, making urban environments not only more resistant to climate change impacts but also capable of providing long-term benefits to communities and ecosystems.