CUTTlab is a collaborative research lab bringing together researchers with complementary analytical, design and communication expertise. The group’s experience builds on an extensive body of research and projects addressing Italian and European territorial contexts and their spatial and social transformations, different forms of settlement and dispersed territories, the reuse of degraded spaces and territories affected by informal development, public services and material welfare, landscape and open space design, and innovative approaches to urban design and planning. Activities are developed through national and international research programmes, research contracts with public and private organisations, and self-funded research initiatives. CUTTlab draws on the support of other units within Politecnico di Milano, including Consorzio Poliedra, MAUDLAB and SiMaMuSe. The Lab can also arrange and host internships

Research topics

  • Emerging urbanisation patterns: research into post-metropolitan dynamics and intermediate territories, with a focus on processes of socio-spatial change.
  • Regeneration of the built environment: studies and projects for the reuse, adaptation and management of existing built assets.
  • Spatial planning and land-use regulation: support for the preparation of urban structure plans, land-use regulation plans, regional and sub-regional spatial plans, strategic documents and guidelines.
  • Landscape, open spaces and ecological systems: studies and projects for the protection, enhancement and management of parks and protected areas, rural and historic landscapes, and the restoration of degraded areas.
  • Public spaces and infrastructure: studies and projects for the improvement of public spaces and infrastructure networks, with a focus on their integration into the environment and landscape, climate change adaptation and active mobility.
  • Public services and welfare: studies and projects for the transformation of community facilities, integrated services and neighbourhood facilities, through service planning and the design of public space networks.

Experties

CUTTlab brings together interdisciplinary expertise in research, planning and scientific consultancy. Its activities include programmes funded by the European Union, projects supported by national PRIN and PNRR funding, foundations and specialised agencies, as well as numerous research contracts and agreements with regional and provincial governments, metropolitan cities, park authorities, municipalities, port system authorities and cultural institutions.

Research networks and collaborations

Reti tematiche e formazione

  • TAMC.LAB, gruppo tematico SIU sui territori dell’abusivismo nel Mezzogiorno contemporaneo; A SUD DI e COSTASUD, con il programma interpolitecnico POLIMI–POLIBA sulla rigenerazione degli insediamenti costieri non pianificati; Laboratorio del cammino, rete universitaria italiana e internazionale; SITRAP, centro della NMBU per la formazione integrata e transdisciplinare nella pianificazione.

Collaborazioni accademiche e scientifiche

  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), University of Oslo, ETH Zurigo, RWTH Aachen, TU Delft, VUB e ULB di Bruxelles, KU Leuven; CNR–ITC, Istituto per le Tecnologie della Costruzione; INDIRE, Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e Ricerca Educativa.

Governo del territorio, ambiente e infrastrutture

  • Regione Lombardia, ERSAF Regione Lombardia; Regione Emilia-Romagna, Direzione generale Cura del territorio e dell’ambiente; Città metropolitana di Milano; Comune di Milano, Comuni di Crema, Cremona e Lecce; Ente di gestione per i Parchi e la Biodiversità Emilia Centrale; Autorità di sistema portuale del Mar Ligure occidentale; Ferrovie Nord.

Cultura

  • ERPAC del Friuli Venezia Giulia; Piccolo Teatro di Milano.

Selected research projects

Transizione territoriale

Piani e rigenerazione urbana

Scuole e prossimità

Paesaggio e spazio pubblico

Collaborators

Mariasilvia Agresta, Christian Novak, Maria Aldera, Sara Caramaschi, Giacomo Ricchiuto, Davide Simoni, Mattia Tettoni, Valentina Rossella Zucca

Photo credits: E.Donadoni, C.Mattioli, M.Voltini - CUTTlab

(Last updated: October 19, 2026)