Naples 2024, Towards Climate Resilience: Urban Regeneration and Innovative Tools

Project Results & Tools

Naples 2024, Towards Climate Resilience

Naples is facing a dual challenge: the urgent impacts of climate change and long-standing social and economic vulnerabilities. As a Mediterranean city on the frontlines of environmental stress, it must respond to extreme heat, flooding, and drought while also addressing housing shortages, public service gaps, and youth emigration. Yet, within this complexity lies a powerful opportunity. Through innovative tools and collaborative planning, the Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW) approach is helping Naples chart a new path—one that integrates climate resilience with urban regeneration. By combining science, design, and local knowledge, the city is beginning to transform its most fragile districts, like Ponticelli, into models of sustainable and inclusive development.

Naples 2024, Towards Climate Resilience

Used Facilitation/Simulation Toolkit

Program & Call to the Event

Naples is increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change—heatwaves, floods, and droughts—while also facing deep socio-economic challenges. In this complex context, climate action becomes not only urgent but also an opportunity for regeneration, innovation, and social inclusion.

Climate Risks and Social Priorities

Naples is a recognized climate hotspot in the Mediterranean. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and sea level rise are putting pressure on infrastructure, energy use and public health. Yet, long-standing socio-economic issues—such as underinvestment, youth emigration, and housing shortages—often delay or overshadow climate policies. Responding to basic needs remains a top concern for local authorities.


A New Planning Approach: The UDCW

To address these challenges, the Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW) was developed through EU-funded collaborations. It combines urban climate analysis, mapping and co-design tools, tailored to local contexts. A pilot in Ponticelli, an underserved suburb, revealed critical urban planning failures and guided climate-adaptive redevelopment strategies. Tools such as GIS simulations, risk maps, and environmental guidelines have been integrated into city planning (PUC), energy strategy (SECAP), and housing projects (PRU).


Building a Resilient Urban Future

The UDCW evolved into a platform for capacity building and policy integration. Current work under the KNOWING project expands its tools to assess greenhouse gas reductions, promote nature-based solutions, and support low-carbon design. The ultimate goal is the implementation of a strategic Naples SECAP, aligning climate resilience with urban regeneration and ensuring coordinated action across city departments.


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