RETHINKING URBAN PERSPECTIVES THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROXIMITY FRAMEWORK APPROACH

"In urban contexts, actions related to climate emergency, energy transition, and quality of life are of crucial importance, with significant impacts at the neighborhood level. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the fundamental role of the “small urban scale” as an essential microcosm for addressing daily needs. These challenges transcend environmental dimensions, intertwining with social, cultural, and economic aspects, thereby requiring an interdisciplinary and integrated approach (Smith & Johnson, 2020; Urban Resilience Council, 2021). This research aims to develop an operational framework based on the principle of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for the design of eco-districts, adaptable to various urban contexts. The framework, termed ULF (Urban Living Framework), seeks to translate sustainability and resilience principles into concrete, quantifiable neighborhood-scale interventions. This approach bridges the gap between global theories and local applications, with a particular focus on Italian specificities (Arup, 2014; Rotterdam Sustainability Strategy, 2022). The study begins with an analysis of global strategies, such as the City Resilience Framework by Arup (2014) and sustainable practices adopted in Rotterdam (Rotterdam Sustainability Strategy 2022-2027), adapting these approaches to local needs. The objective is to provide a theoretical and operational contribution to urban design capable of effectively addressing contemporary challenges by integrating sustainability, resilience, and quality of life (UN-Habitat, 2020; European Environment Agency, 2021"