Anticipating the Impacts of Urban Design Projects Starting from the Pedestrians’ Experience

Abstract

This paper presents a four-year study developed by a university research laboratory on anticipating the outcomes of urban transformations, focusing on pedestrians’ perceptual experience. The research explored how different simulation tools can anticipate visual and environmental impacts, such as composition and shadowing conditions, in a theoretical and experimental framework. A major urban project in Milan was analysed both at the local and urban scale to understand cumulative effects on the environment and skyline. Various types of simulations were tested and compared, showing that combined use provides more comprehensive insights. A survey comparing real outputs with simulated ones confirmed the usefulness of these tools, offering feedback to refine the approach and supporting negotiation between public and private stakeholders for better public spaces.