Public Spaces for Community Campuses and Universities

This volume explores the growing significance of open public spaces within università campuses—spaces that go far beyond their functional role to become essential arenas for social interaction, informal learning, well-being, and urban integration. Rooted in the research projects LOVE Sapienza and NARRATES both founded by Sapienza Universita di Roma, and enriched by contributions from a 2025 international conference at DICEA-Sapienza University of Rome, this book provides guiding principles for designing open spaces that promote inclusion, health, and sustainability— on campus and beyond. Far from being passive backdrops, these environments shape the daily experiences of students, researchers, faculty, and visitors, offering settings that foster connection, creativity, and community. The book presents a critical reflection on how well-designed open spaces contribute to the quality of campus life and their evolving role as urban microcosms. It also examines how campuses can serve as active agents in urban regeneration and resilience, addressing environmental challenges through sustainable and adaptive design solutions. Structured around three interconnected themes—Campus and Public Spaces, Campus and University Communities, and Campus and the City—the volume gathers international best practices, offering an insightful tool for students, academics, designers, administrators, and urban thinkers.