Green Density. Interdisciplinary education and research project for the design of sustainable neighborhoods

In a context of reconsideration of urban sprawl, there is certain consensus on the necessity to promote densification processes in European urban territories. Faced with this challenge, the architectural and urban project is called to play an essential role to promote the evolution of the built environment towards increased sustainability. The GREEN DENSITY interdisciplinary education and research project provides an innovative framing of these complex issues. It aims at designing, optimizing and assessing urban and architectural visions by exploring novel ways to integrate interdisciplinary and evaluative approaches in the project’s process. By strengthening the links between the often separate worlds of teaching and research, it enriches the education of future architects. This paper presents an application of the GREEN DENSITY experience to six original visions developed for the Waldstadt site (Bern, Switzerland). A synthetic, graphical representation of the results of the multi-criteria assessment establishes the sustainability profile of each vision, highlighting their respective assets and limitations. By its effectiveness and clarity, this interdisciplinary approach provides a critical analysis, decision-making and communication tool. It represents a baseline from which other sustainable neighbourhoods, located in other urban territories, can be developed, compared and assessed, whether in academic or operational contexts.