Urban planning tools for sustainable regeneration of open public spaces: operational guidelines for mediterranean contexts

Mediterranean cities are increasingly facing complex urban regeneration challenges related to climate vulnerability, tourism pressure, social inequalities, and heritage conservation constraints. In the aforementioned contexts, open public spaces play a strategic role as multifunctional infrastructures capable of supporting environmental adaptation, social inclusion, and urban health. This paper investigates the role of public-space-led regeneration in Mediterranean urban contexts through a qualitative and comparative analysis of selected case studies, particularly Barcelona and Izmir. The study combines literature review, policy analysis, and interpretive case study evaluation to identify transferable planning strategies and operational tools for sustainable urban transformation; based on the findings, the paper proposes an integrated methodological framework for resilient public space regeneration structured around environmental, social, spatial, and regulatory dimensions. The results highlight the importance of nature-based solutions, green and blue infrastructure, adaptive planning tools, and environmental monitoring technologies in enhancing urban resilience and climate responsiveness. The paper contributes to the development of evidence-based and health-supportive urban regeneration approaches tailored to Mediterranean cities.