The urban planning efficiency of settlements : techniques and actions

The growing interest in the construction of new cities or the transformation of existing ones into smart cities along with the international relevance of these issues determine the need to integrate innovative strategies aimed at rebuilding a balance with the natural environment into the planning process. This is further demonstrated by its inclusion among the 17 sustainable development objectives promoted by the United Nations. The purpose of this collection is to discuss ways of defining a possible model aimed at the design and verification of the most efficient urban planning organisation of settlements, with reference to environmental, economic and social content. In particular, the objective is that of seeking to understand if it is possible to equip the urban planning process with tools for the design and implementation of inclusive, energy self-sufficient and climate change-friendly settlements. [Publisher's text].