Universities as Drivers of Social Innovation: Theoretical Overview and Lessons from the "campUS" Research (Research for Development)

This book reviews the social role of universities in their local urban contexts and describes a number of initiatives of major interest in terms of the impact achieved, the range of stakeholders involved, and the significance of the university campus and teachers as agents of change. It is divided into three parts, the first of which draws on the international literature to provide theoretical background regarding the role of universities and university campuses as drivers of and magnets for social innovation. The second and third parts each focus on four main themes of interest in the contemporary design setting: urban community gardens, social TV stations, mobile pavilions, and economic sustainability models. After a theoretical overview that also illustrates international best practices, it then focuses on the specific context of Milan, based on the pilot project recently conducted by the Politecnico di Milano, “CampUS - incubation and implementation of social practices”, which won the 25th ADI Compasso d’Oro Award (2018) in the social design category. The book is of interest to academics, students, those working at public institutions, and city policymakers.

Davide Fassi is an Associate Professor of Interior and Product Service System Design at the Politecnico di Milano (Politecnico di Milano), Italy, and Adjunct Professor at Tongji University (College of Design and Innovation), Shanghai. He is the coordinator of double degree programs with Chinese universities at the School of Design, Polytechnic University of Milan; coordinator of GIDE (Group of International Design Education); and a member of the International Coordination Committee of the DESIS Network (Design for Social innovation and Sustainability), in which he belongs to the “design for city making” cluster. He has published and edited several books, including Temporary Urban Solutions (2012) and In the Neighbourhood (2017). His research focuses on the relationship between space and service using a community-centred approach, and his most recent research projects are “Coltivando, the convivial garden at the Polytechnic University of Milan” (2011–now), “CampUS” (2014–16), and “Human Cities” (2014–18).

Paolo Landoni is Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Politecnico di Torino. He teaches in MBAs and Executive MBas and directs courses in several Business Schools. His research is on innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on open innovation, social innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainability, business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility. He considers both for-profit, non-profit and hybrid organizations. He has published 8 books and many papers in peer-reviewed journals, including 6 on the Financial Times top 50 journals. He serves as a consultant for firms, non-profit organisations and governmental institutions for innovation strategies. He has been founder, investor and advisor for several start-ups and nonprofit organizations.

Francesca Piredda, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Design Department, School of Design, Politecnico di Milano. She is a member of Imagis Lab and collaborates with the DESIS International Network. Her research and teaching activities focus on communication design, audiovisual language, participatory video, digital media, and narratives. She leads research and educational activities in the fields of community TV and social media, particularly worldbuilding and storytelling techniques for both social inclusion and brand communication.

Pierluigi Salvadeo graduated in Architecture from the Department of Architecture of the Politecnico di Milano and holds a Ph.D. in Set Design and Interior Design. He is currently an Associate Professor at the Scuola di Architettura Urbanistica Ingegneria delle Costruzioni at the Politecnico di Milano, where he teaches Architectural Design and Set Design and Spaces of Performance. He is the author of a number of publications and an expert advisor to international workshops on design and national and international conferences/congresses. Dr. Salvadeo has won numerous national and international architecture awards (Guidarini & Salvadeo Architects), including first prize in the “Atelier Castello” competition for the temporary accommodation of Piazza Castello in Milan (2014), first special award Dedalo Minosse “Design for All” (2011), and first prize in the competition for the design of three apartment buildings in Monteluce.