Designing joyful cities. The role of technology, participatory planning, and sustainable urban design in fostering social cohesion

This contribution, published in the conference proceedings, investigates the transformative role of technology and participatory design within urban regeneration processes, with particular attention to sustainability and social cohesion. The study explores how an organic and multidisciplinary approach can shape urban environments that foster collective well-being, spatial justice, and inclusion. Adopting a deductive methodology grounded in the analysis of participatory practices and empathic design (Cleckley, 2024), the paper identifies strategies aimed at strengthening community interaction and reinforcing citizens’ sense of belonging. It also discusses the environmental and social benefits of urban regeneration, emphasizing the integration of multifunctional spaces and public green areas as measures to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change. Through the examination of international case studies, the research systematizes key principles guiding decision-making processes in which urban regeneration operates as a multiscalar and multidisciplinary framework for sustainability, participation, and collective well-being. Technology is interpreted as a tool serving both people and the environment, supporting environmental impact monitoring and climate change mitigation while contributing to the governance of resilient and sustainable urban settlements.