The Institute of Earth Sciences SUPSI, through its research area in Territorial Development, has been committed for years to studying and designing the built environment, integrating scientific disciplines with public and private interests that shape the territory at different scales. In recent years, the team of researchers has focused on identifying methods and tools that facilitate data collection to support the design of adaptive spaces capable of responding to the complexity of emerging challenges and including diverse perspectives to build fairer and more sustainable cities.

Within this context, the conference Inclusive Cities: the evolution of adaptive spaces, promoted by the Institute of Earth Sciences with the support of Generando (Gender Visions), will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at the Department of Environment Constructions and Design SUPSI Campus in Mendrisio. The event will feature speakers who explore innovative approaches to making urban spaces more flexible, fair, and accessible.

The conference begins with a reflection on the importance of urban planning from a gender perspective, recognizing that cities must be rethought to meet the needs of all citizens. Inclusive design represents a fundamental lever to create urban spaces that can promote equity, safety, participation, and well-being.

Through multidisciplinary talks and project experiences, concrete tools will be presented to address the challenges of contemporary urban transformation: climate change, people’s well-being, inclusive mobility, and active participation.

It will also be an opportunity to present the results of the AdaptiveSpace research project – conducted by the Institute of Earth Sciences in collaboration with the City of Mendrisio and Publibike SA and funded by the Federal Office for Spatial Development – and to offer a space for dialogue among researchers, professionals, citizens, and public decision-makers.

The goal is to stimulate open dialogue on the evolution of gender-sensitive planning, promoting solutions for more inclusive cities.

The event (in Italian) is free of charge upon registration (by Sunday, 23 November 2025) and is aimed at municipalities, local authorities, and professionals working in various fields with an interest in urban design-related topics.

It will take place on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, from 17:30 to 19:15 at the Department of Environment Constructions and Design SUPSI Campus in Mendrisio (via Flora Ruchat-Roncati 15), in the Materioteca (first floor).

Programme 

17:30
Welcome
Dr. Annalisa Rollandi, researcher in Territorial Development, Institute of Earth Sciences SUPSI

17:40
AdaptiveSpace. Towards inclusive public spaces: planning and mobility for all
Dr. Annalisa Rollandi

18:00
Gender and public space: designing the city of differences
Dr. Florencia Andreola, researcher and co-founder of the social promotion association Sex & the City

18:20
Cities in transition: shaping adaptive spaces
Prof. Eugenio Morello, scientific coordinator of LABSIMURB-Fausto Corti Urban Simulation Laboratory, associate professor in Urban Design at the Politecnico Milano

18:40
Invisible cities. A podcast created by city dwellers who write, narrate aloud and make themselves heard – When does listening become adaptive?
Daniel Bilenko, curator of the Le città invisibili

19:00
Conclusions

19:15 
Aperitif offered

Institute of Earth Sciences

The Institute is active in disciplines related to the protection of the environment and its resources. Its main tasks include applied research and development, the provision of services, and contributing to SUPSI’s basic and continuing education programmes. It relies on specialists in the management of surface and groundwater, aquatic ecology, territorial and landscape geology, natural hazards, territorial planning, and geographic information systems (GIS). Since 2022, the Competence centre  Climate Change and Territory within the Institute has contributed to the scientific foundations of climate change studies, territorial adaptation, and climate change mitigation.