This book reports on the outcomes of a set of research projects carried out within a framework promoting the realization of territorial laboratories for innovation and sustainability of enterprises in Emilia-Romagna. The project led to the definition of a shared model developed with local stakeholders and enterprises, conceived as a support tool for evaluating proposals for new productive districts as intelligent and sustainable workplaces. This model proposes a settlement characterized by high environmental and landscape compatibility, supported by advanced technological infrastructures for companies and citizens. It serves both as an operational tool for the Municipality of Formigine in defining evaluation criteria and as a strategic reference for public administrations across the Region. The publication documents the co-design process, developed through continuous dialogue among partners, the administration, local enterprises and enriched by multidisciplinary contributions from experts of urban planning, ecology, technology, mobility and infrastructure, energy, autonomous mobility, and information technology. It also presents further developments, such as a project selection matrix used as an objective evaluation tool, together with the validation of the model through applications to case studies in Modena and Medicina.

Dario Costi, Arch. PhD, is Full Professor in Architectural and Urban Design in the Department of Engineering and Architecture at the University of Parma. He is the Director of the interdisciplinary teaching and research project Smart City 4.0 Sustainable LAB, which is promoted by the University of Parma in cooperation with the Emilia-Romagna regional government and the public digital infrastructure Lepida, and involves the Universities of Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Reggio-Emila, Piacenza as well as local Authorities and stakeholders. He is member of the PhD Program in Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Parma and at the Faculties of Architecture of the University of Palermo and Sapienza University of Rome. Active both as a professional and as a researcher in the architectural and urban design field, he is the co-owner of the MC2 Architecture Studio in Parma. Since 2007 he is serving as President of Parma Urban Center, of which he is also the co-founder. Involved in numerous national projects for fostering education in architecture and urban design, Professor Costi is the author of many Italian publications, and Editor of two Italian book series published by MUP Editore, Parma. Since 2020, he is the editor of the international book series The City Project - Strategies for Smart and Wise Sustainable Urban Design, published by Springer. He is also serving as a lecturer for the Program Master Housing at Roma Tre University, in Rome, and for other Master Programs at the University of Parma, Trani, Lecce and Matera. Since 2018 he has been serving as Scientific Director of the Higher Education Courses in Urban Strategic Design at the LUM School of Management in Bari. Since 2021, as part of this collaboration, he has been developing the guidelines for the urban regeneration of Italian cities for the SNA - National School of Administration.