The sense of uncertainty and fragility due to the effects and magnitude of global challenges we are facing (from the circumstances of the pandemic to the impacts of climate change) requires—much more than in the past—the capacity to generate a visionary and forefront design approach in the young generation, with an aim to stimulate their reaction attitude rather than providing consolidated tools from past conditions that no longer exist or will rapidly evolve. Within this general framework, we have investigated the effectiveness and impacts of experienced-based methods of learning and innovative educational tools in architecture that are aimed at shaping expertise that addresses the aspects of environment and climate change in the context of socio-cultural dynamics, real potentialities and constraints, and their transdisciplinary trajectories. We analyzed five international pioneering teaching experiences that provided the opportunity to understand the outcomes of collaborative and experiential learning processes by which the educational activities leverage dialogue between diverse communities (including academia, citizens, policymakers, and practitioners). The study outcomes show that shifting the pedagogical paradigm towards experience-based models can improve the awareness of future practitioners for the climate implications of architectural design, implement their analysis and project skills, and trigger processes of knowledge transfer and co-production at the community level. Experience-based models also allow them to better address the societal and cultural issues involved in decision making.

Current environmental challenges invite us to deeply revise policies, governance models, and resource management toolkits towards a circular approach, in order to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requirements. In this framework, circular waste management is one of the pillars of responsible and foresighted planning for territorial sustainability. The “3Rs for a sustainable use of natural resources in Ulaanbaatar” (3R4UB) project aims at transferring a sustainable approach to urban solid waste management, especially focusing on providing effective opportunities for developing circular supply chains locally. In this framework, an integrated approach has been developed in order to adapt the communication/exploitation plan of sustainable waste management within a SWITCH-Asia Country (EU Program) by combining engagement tools and participatory processes for the collaborative design of a waste management masterplan. This paper explores the spatialization of resources/waste flows in the formal and informal settlements, while also considering cultural traditions, social structures, and community habits, in terms of a purposely designed combination of spatial planning, governance modeling, and capacity building activities. Starting from a preliminary communication plan, this paper sets the frame for discussing the role of community engagement tools and protocols in producing an effective and generalizable collaborative waste management masterplan.

With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events in cities, it is essential to develop multi-scale and multi-hazard design tools to ensure urban climate resilience. A designed approach to urban development across spatial scales offers the opportunity to integrate diverse fields to create a strong multidisciplinary knowledge base and avoid fragmented planning approaches. This paper proposes a process-based methodological framework for climate resilient urban design-integrating analysis of climate impact with concerns of local communities. A combined focus on climate impact and co-benefits enables a design process with the ability to promote adaptation and mitigation while also addressing diverse urban challenges and responding to local needs and priorities. The proposed methodological framework is applied in the context of the climate resilient urban redevelopment of the Porte de Montreuil district in Paris, France. The results show that the Porte de Montreuil area is at risk from heat waves as a result of the urban characteristics of the area. However, it is possible to suggest specific design measures that integrate local planning priorities with climate resilient design measures to decrease the risk and improve climate resilience in the area.

Despite expanded municipal climate commitments, many cities continue to struggle with translating carbon-neutrality, resilience, and equity goals into coordinated implementation. Persistent governance fragmentation, institutional inertia, and limited technical capacity undermine the development of integsrated climate strategies. This article evaluates the Urban Design Climate Workshop (UDCW) methodology—developed within the UCCRN network—as a structured, multi-scalar approach to bridge these gaps. UDCWs couple interoperable Simulation and Facilitation toolkits to support evidence-based, participatory co-design processes. We draw on eight case studies across Europe, Africa, and South America to examine how UDCWs operate within diverse governance and planning contexts. Findings show that the UDCW framework supports climate-responsive design by spatializing community needs, quantifying adaptation and mitigation benefits, and enabling interdepartmental collaboration. The methodology reveals systemic barriers, including siloed planning, policy misalignment, and the absence of procedural mechanisms to enforce cooperation. At the same time, it provides context-sensitive tools that support embed socio-spatial and climate-justice considerations into decision-making. Results indicate that upscaling climate action requires more than technical solutions: it demands adaptive governance cultures that align scientific evidence, community aspirations, and enforceable policy instruments. UDCWs experience offer a replicable pathway to unlock stalled transitions and institutionalize just, climate-resilient transformations, providing a practical response to the multilevel barriers that continue to undermine sustainable urban climate governance.