The impact of common space on neighbourhood communities

• Better understanding of how design, aesthetics and functional features of common spaces shape inhabitants’ behaviours: social interactions, recognition, civic participation, use of spaces/buildings, health, sense of belonging, diversity and inclusion, security, resilience, and socio-cultural and local economic value

• Enhanced capacities of stakeholders (public administrations, planners, community actors) to integrate research insights into policies, strategies, plans and measures for neighbourhood common space regeneration

• Multi-country empirical study: at least three EU Member States or Associated Countries

• Analysis of medium- and long-term impacts on:
– Community cohesion and social interactions
– Active civic participation
– Resilience and diversity
– Sense of security and belonging

• Comparative assessment across neighbourhood types (varying social infrastructure, economy, housing patterns, services)

• Investigation of design and maintenance processes (including participatory methods), bordering environment degradation and heritage preservation effects

• Evaluation of how the three core NEB values (inclusion, sustainability, beauty) integrated in design influence social impacts

• Study of diverse user group experiences (women, children, youth, older adults, persons with disabilities, underrepresented, vulnerable, marginalised groups, LGBTIQA+)

• Examination of seasonal/use-time variations on social outcomes

• Development of targeted recommendations for policy-makers and urban regeneration practitioners

• Mandatory participatory, transdisciplinary methodology involving specified actors and disciplines

• Effective integration of social sciences and humanities expertise