Transforming Cities – Cities as Transformers

Abstract

The article explores the emerging role of cities as key actors in the urban transition toward resilience and sustainability, focusing on climate neutrality, social inclusion, and cultural and economic innovation. The TRANSFORMERS project investigates how urban designers, planners, and architects can act as agents of change to initiate participatory, interdisciplinary, and creative transformation processes. Grounded in a cultural and creative paradigm, the project develops three interconnected conceptual approaches: Circular Urbanism, promoting circularity and bio-innovation in urban design; Community Making, fostering co-design and community activation for social resilience; and Architecture for Just Transition, reimagining architecture’s role in sustainable and inclusive regeneration of the built environment. Through collaboration with the cities of Hannover, Jesi, and Sambuca di Sicilia, TRANSFORMERS aims to develop innovative models, skills, and practices to guide urban transition.