Universities and Their Strategic Role in Urban Regeneration: Professor Maddalena Buffoli’s Contribution at Expo 2025 Osaka

On the second day of the international workshop “4UniverCity Futures – The City of the Future: Designing and Transforming University Neighborhoods,” hosted at the Italian Pavilion of Expo 2025 Osaka, Professor Maddalena Buffoli, who teaches Environmental Hygiene and Building Hygiene Technologies at the Politecnico di Milano, delivered a meaningful contribution on the topic “Universities as Drivers of Urban Transformation.”

In her speech, Buffoli immediately emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of her work: “As a professor at the Politecnico di Milano, I am part of a multidisciplinary team focused on health in relation to the environment and the urban scale of cities. We study how architectural and urban design can influence people’s physical, social, and psychological health, and how it can foster healthier lifestyles. The goal is not only to protect but also to actively promote health.”

In an increasingly urbanized world, Professor Buffoli stressed a key concept: the city of the future is being built today, and universities can and must serve as living laboratories for urban transformation. According to Buffoli, universities not only can but must play a strategic role in regeneration. This is exemplified by the Politecnico di Milano, which for the past ten years has been at the forefront of urban transformation projects capable of triggering virtuous processes related to environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and the improvement of citizens’ health. “These are not interventions limited to the campus area,” she explained, “but actions with a broader, urban-scale impact, with clear effects on Milan’s social and environmental fabric.”

During the event, the professor drew attention to how university cities today face a range of environmental and social risk factors: from air pollution to physical inactivity, from social isolation to the consequences of climate change. These elements significantly affect quality of life and public health. “We have very attractive urban contexts, but also complex issues. It is essential to rethink these spaces: universities can transform entire parts of the city, making them healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable,” Buffoli affirmed.

A concrete example is the ongoing project on the Bovisa Campus, which also involves the Renzo Piano firm, and includes not only the restoration of existing buildings but also the creation of a large urban forest. This intervention combines architectural innovation with a strong focus on environmental health.

For Buffoli, the experience at Expo was an opportunity for international dialogue and collaboration: “Being in such a global context was extremely stimulating. It was valuable to engage with other universities involved in the MUSA project and to work together on shared strategic goals. MUSA is building an important network of synergies, and our presence at Expo gave even greater strength and visibility to our work.”