Planning Tools and University Cities: How Can Urban Regeneration be Driven by Students’ Growth? the Case of the City of Turin

The urban history of the city of Turin is significantly influenced by its industrial past, which has led to the existence of numerous brownfield sites that require regeneration. This research examines the interrelationship between urban regeneration and student growth in a post-industrial city. This relationship is investigated within the city's Strategic and Urban Plans, which provide the basis for the future urban planning. The two main universities in Turin, i.e. the Polytechnic and the University of Turin, have been identified as pivotal stakeholders in the processes of urban regeneration and economic development. This is due to two main factors: firstly, the growth of the student population has led to an increased demand for dedicated educational spaces; secondly, these institutions have the potential to exert influence over the city's planning decisions. The expansion of these entities in brownfield areas demonstrates how universities have reused these sites, thereby contributing to the dynamics of urban renewal and the revaluation of real estate assets. These dynamics have also impacted property values, increasing rental prices, particularly in neighbourhoods close to campuses. Within this context, strategic plans should be able to analyse the positive and negative effects of urban regeneration in view of the development of a new General city Plan.