Short Master in The Proximity City as a Perspective for Urban Development

The short master offers intensive training on the proximity city model, an idea of urban development in which services, economic activities, public spaces and opportunities for social interaction can be reached in short times and distances. The content covers sustainable urban development, urban regeneration, neighbourhood retail, urban mobility and participatory governance, addressed with the aim of providing specialist skills in territorial design and in reading the needs of local communities. The concept of proximity invites us to rethink neighbourhoods as places where people can work, shop, move around and meet without depending on long journeys, with benefits for quality of life, for the environment and for the economic vitality of local communities.

Teaching has a strongly applied focus and is concentrated in 100 hours in total, with an intensive methodology. Lessons are accompanied by practical exercises, case studies and opportunities for direct discussion with faculty and professionals in the urban planning sector, so as to link theoretical knowledge to the concrete experiences of cities and neighbourhoods. The course takes place in person in Bari, at the Polytechnic University, and is taught in Italian. The page does not indicate a division into distinct modules, nor a compulsory internship or university credits; the short format is designed for those who wish to update their knowledge or specialise in a limited time, also combining training with professional activity. Work on case studies makes it possible to analyse good practices and critical issues, learning to assess the effectiveness of urban policies and the role of the different actors involved in transformation processes. Students are encouraged to compare models and good practices, to read territorial data and to imagine interventions that bring together the needs of residents, shopkeepers and administrations, developing a participatory, results-oriented working method.

The aim is to train specialists able to take part in urban regeneration and territorial planning processes with a proximity-oriented outlook. Career opportunities concern urban design and roles in regeneration and territorial planning, in professional firms, public administrations and organisations engaged in local development. The programme is aimed at graduates from different disciplines, such as architecture, engineering, planning, economics and social sciences, interested in understanding how to rethink the city starting from the quality of everyday life, sustainable mobility, the vitality of neighbourhood shops and citizens' participation in transformation decisions. The skills acquired can also be useful for those working in consulting firms, local development agencies and organisations that promote neighbourhood regeneration and the enhancement of public spaces.