{"id":6842,"date":"2021-02-22T20:55:11","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T19:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/full.polito.it\/research\/re-coding\/"},"modified":"2026-01-19T15:38:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T14:38:24","slug":"re-coding","status":"publish","type":"research","link":"https:\/\/full.polito.it\/en\/research\/re-coding\/","title":{"rendered":"Re-coding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Recoding project investigates the ordinary making of the urban fabric. In this context, the city is conceived as the combined result of spatial planning, market forces, swinging frames of reasoning, conformity to norms and individual expectations and aspirations. To do so, the Recoding project focuses on the role of urban codes in shaping the structure of our cities. Specifically, FULL aims to explore the intertwined connection between urban codes and city morphology. Urban codes refer to a set of rules relating to singled out \u2018elemental types\u2019 (height, roofing, windows, etc.) and their relations within the built environment, with no correspondence to a predetermined and unique location. The complexity of regulation system might, however, hinder the immediate understanding of the extent and impacts that such regulations have on the built environment, particularly when the overlapping of well-intentioned regulations generated in different time frames result in distorted outcomes, such as use segregation, contradictory directions and scarce flexibility, to name a few, in a time in which cities have to deal with progressive alterations rather than massive greenfield expansions. \n \n<\/p>\n\n

The complexity of the Italian regulatory system is an obstacle faced daily. It slows down administrative works, makes it difficult to foresee the effects of rules and impinges heavily on the economic activities of citizens and businesses. The need for rationalisation and optimisation of this system is not new. Simplification and streamlining of bureaucracy have been keywords in the international political environment since the post-war period. Despite many efforts taken to overcome these issues \u2013due in part to the progressive increase in the complexity of our societies and the consequential accumulation of rules and laws \u2013 the issue of complexity of the regulatory system cannot yet be considered resolved. \n<\/p>\n\n

1- An Effective Solution<\/h3>\n\n

FULL has created the Recoding project, as well as a research team that deals with the simplification of urban rules. The scope is to support policymakers and administrations to optimise the complex system of rules. \n \n<\/p>\n\n

2- An Alternative Method<\/h3>\n\n

FULL proposes a more radical alternative to the current procedural simplification approach. The method involves: reduction of procedural steps and distribution of responsibilities between actors involved. Existing rules are systemised and put in order. Overlaps, redundancies and contradictions are identified and reduced. Opportunities to reorganise the content within regulations or even to rewrite parts of the rules emerge. \n \n<\/p>\n\n

3- An Opportunity to Be Seized<\/h3>\n\n

Making rules more readable and transparent means unlocking the potential for transformation of cities and regions. \n \n<\/p>\n\n

A \u2018simple\u2019 city is a city in which:<\/p>\n\n