This paper explores the feasibility of floating urban development in Italy, given its extensive coastline and inland hydrographic network. The key drivers for floating urban development, as an adaptive approach in low-lying waterfront areas, include the increasing threats posed by rising sea levels and flooding and the shortage of land for urban expansion. However, as not all waterfront areas are suitable for floating urban development, a geographical analysis based on a thorough evaluation of multiple factors, including urban–economic parameters and climate-related variables, led to the identification of a specific area of the Lazio coast, the river Tiber Delta. A comprehensive urban mapping process provided a multifaceted geo-referenced information layer, including several climatic, urban, anthropic, and environmental parameters. Within the GIS environment, it is possible to extract and perform statistical analyses crucial for assessing the impact of flood and sea-level rise hazards, particularly regarding buildings and land cover. This process provides a robust framework for understanding the spatial dimensions of flood and sea-level rise impacts and supporting informed design-making. A research-by-design phase follows the simulation research and mapping process. Several design scenarios are developed aimed at regenerating this vulnerable area. These scenarios seek to transform its susceptibility to flooding into a resilient, adaptive, urban identity, offering climate-resilient housing solutions for a population currently residing in unauthorized, substandard housing within high flood-risk zones. This paper proposes a comprehensive analytical methodology for supporting the design process of floating urban development, given the highly determinant role of site-specificity in such a challenging and new urban development approach.

It is notable that indoor environment quality plays a crucial role in guaranteeing health, especially if we consider that people spend more than 90% of their time indoors, a percentage that increases for people on low income. This role assumes even further significance when dealing with distressed urban areas, vulnerable areas within cities that suffer from multiple deprivations. The community-based interdisciplinary research-action group of the University La Sapienza focused on a complex in the outskirts of Rome. The aim was to assess the correlations between architectural aspects of the indoor environment, socio-economic conditions, such as lifestyles and housing conditions, and eventually health outcomes. The intent of providing a comparative methodology in a context where official data is hard to find, led to the integration of social, health, and housing questionnaires with various environmental software simulations. What emerged is that underprivileged housing conditions, characterized by mold, humidity, unhealthiness, thermohygrometric discomfort, architectural barriers, and overcrowding, are often associated with recurrent pathologies linked to arthritis, respiratory diseases, and domestic accidents.

In Italy, the number of people living in coastal areas reaches 70% of the total population. By the end of the century, the sea level rise estimated along Italian coasts is between 1.31 and 1.45 m on a non-conservative basis. Considering its high vulnerability to rising sea levels and flooding, Italy holds a strong potential for floating urban development due to its extensive coastline and inland hydrographic network. The main drivers of floating urban development include these increasing threats posed to waterfront communities and the shortage of land for urban expansion, food production, and energy harvesting. However, not all waterfront areas are suitable for accommodating urban development on water because of site-specific urban, social, cultural, infrastructural, climate, and hydrographic features. This paper presents the results of a geospatial analysis carried out using geographic information systems and a statistical analysis of instrumental measurements to map the most suitable regions for floating urban expansion along Italian waterfronts. The mapping identifies six potential zones of interest marked by the co-existence of environmental and socio-urban needs. This study reveals how coastal–riverine interface zones are generally more susceptible to the cumulative effects of climate change and, at the same time, are centers of intense economic, cultural, and social activity.