Research, Innovation, and Society Research UnitINN-LINK-S

INN-LINK-S

 

The INN-LINK-S Research Unit (INNovation in Local and INdigenous Knowledge Systems) promotes collaboration between various departments at the University of Florence to develop national and international research activities dedicated to the enhancement, management, transmission and innovation of local and indigenous knowledge, recognised as an expression of cultural diversity and a strategic resource for addressing the challenges of resilience, climate change and the sustainable management of the built environment.

Through a systemic and transdisciplinary approach, INN-LINK-S integrates quantitative scientific and experimental methods with qualitative approaches, participatory processes and digital tools, to promote sustainable innovation and facilitate the transition towards regenerative and inclusive development models.

Main areas of research:

• Identification, documentation, modelling and codification of local knowledge and traditional know-how as a living component of tangible and intangible heritage;
• Management and communication of knowledge through digital platforms and collaborative tools;
• Co-design and testing of sustainable solutions, inspired by vernacular knowledge, to strengthen the environmental, social and cultural resilience of local areas;
• Innovation in construction systems based on local materials with low environmental impact, to contribute to the decarbonisation of the construction sector and the transition to a circular economy.
• Assessment of the sustainability and impacts of transformations, using systemic indicators and integrated analytical tools – such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) – to support decision-making processes geared towards ecological transition, heritage protection and the promotion of local knowledge and cultural identity;
• Analysis and management of risk, vulnerability and safety, through integrated approaches to define prevention and adaptation strategies;
• Enhancement and regeneration of cultural and natural landscapes and sustainable resource management, through design practices inspired by vernacular knowledge and Nature-Based Solutions;
• Designing innovative learning and communication systems aimed at disseminating knowledge and fostering active community participation.

Selection of research projects

2025 | 2027
EVER EARTH - Valorizzare il patrimonio in terra cruda: strategie per promuovere la conservazione, il riutilizzo e il nuovo sviluppo
Finanziato dal MUR nell’ambito del bando PRIN22.
Responsabile di Unità DIDA-UNIFI: Giulia Misseri. Team di ricerca: L. Dipasquale, G. Misseri, L. Rovero, L. Mannucci, C. Casini.
Project leader: Politecnico di Torino (coordinamento). Partners: CNR Consiglio Nazionale Ricerche, DIDA UNIFI.

2019| 2023
VerSus+ | Heritage for PEOPLE
Finanziato dal Programma europeo Creative Europe.
Responsabile di Unità DIDA-UNIFI: Letizia Dipasquale. Team di ricerca: L. Dipasquale, S. Mecca, A. Merlo, G. Lavoratti, L. Montoni, E. Ferrari.
Project leader:  Polytechnic University of Valencia UPV (ES). Partners: University of Florence UNIFI (IT), Escuela Superior Gallaecia ESG (PT), Università degli Studi di Cagliari (IT), CRAterre-Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Grenoble (FR). 
Web:  https://versus-people.webs.upv.es/

2016 |2020

3D Past. Living & virtual visiting European World Heritage
Finanziato dal Programma europeo Creative Europe.
Responsabile di Unità DIDA-UNIFI: Saverio Mecca.  Coordinamento: L. Dipasquale. Team di ricerca: L. Dipasquale, S. Mecca, A. Merlo, G. Lavoratti, L. Montoni.
Project leader: ESG (PT). Partner: Università Politecnica di Valencia (ES), Università degli studi di Firenze.
Web: https://esg.pt/3dpast/

2014| 2016
3D Design pour le Développement Durable des Productions Artisanales Locales
TEMPUS programma Trans-European Mobility scheme for University Studies 
Responsabile e coordinatore scientifico: Giuseppe Lotti
2012|2014
VERSUS Lessons from Vernacular Heritage for Sustainable Architecture
Programma EU Cultura 2007-2013
Responsabile scientifico: Saverio Mecca
www.esg.pt/versus
2010|2012
ARTIMED Sviluppo dei Saperi artigianali tradizionali e integrazione dei sistemi produttivi in Marocco e in Italia
Programma di Sostegno alla Cooperazione Regionale, finanziato dal Ministero degli Affari Esteri e dal Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico - sottoprogetto coordinato dalla Regione Toscana.
Responsabile scientifico: Giuseppe Lotti
2009|2011
Terra [In]cognita. Earthen architecture in Europe
Programma EU Cultura 2007-2013
Responsabile scientifico: Saverio Mecca
http://www.culture-terra-incognita.org/
2007|2009
Coupoles & Habitat Une tradition constructive entre Orient et Occident
Programma EU Cultura 2000
Responsabile e coordinatore scientifico: Saverio Mecca

 

Selected publications

Giuffrida, G., Dipasquale L., Pulselli R., Caponetto M.R.2024, Compared Environmental Lifecycle Performances of Earth-Based Walls to Drive Building Envelope Design, in «SUSTAINABILITY »  vol. 16, doi: 10.3390/su16041367.

Dipasquale L., Mecca. S. (a cura di) 2023, Heritage for people: sharing traditional knowledge to build the future, DIDAPRESS, Firenze, pp. 256, ISBN: 9788833382005

Dipasquale L., Montoni L., Correia M., Mecca S. 2022,  Vernacular and World Heritage sites: criticality and challenging for the conservation, awareness, and transmission of heritage values, in «Restauro Archeologico -  special issue 2-2022 World Heritage in transition. About management, protection and sustainability »  Vol. 2, ISSN 2465-2377, pp. 440-445

Dipasquale L., Mecca S., Correia M. (a cura di) 2020, From Vernacular to World heritage, FUP, Firenze, pp.240. ISBN: 978-88-5518-292-8. DOI: 10.36253/978-88-5518-293-5

 Dipasquale L., Montoni L., Montacchini A. & Mecca S. 2022, Vernacular and World Heritage Impact Assessment: the case study of Patmos, in «Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development», Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 150-170. DOI: 10.1108/JCHMSD-06-2021-0105

Dipasquale L. 2020, Understanding Chefchaouen. Traditional knowledge for a sustainable habitat, FUP, Firenze, pp.340. DOI: 10.36253/978-88-5518-178-5.

Dipasquale, Letizia; Ammendola, Jacopo; Montoni, Lucia; Ferrari, Edoardo Paolo; Zambelli, Matteo 2024, Harnessing Vernacular Knowledge for Contemporary Sustainable Design through a Collaborative Digital Platform. HERITAGE, vol. 7, pp. 5251-5267, ISSN:2571-9408 DOI  10.3390/heritage7090247

Fioravanti, M., Mecca, S. (eds.) (2011). The safeguard of Cultural Heritage. A challenge from the past for the Europe of tomorrow, Firenze: FUP.

Correia, M., Dipasquale, L., Mecca, S. (a cura di) (2011). Terra Europae, Earthen Architecture in the European Union, Pisa: Edizioni ETS.

Lotti,G., Kabbaj, K., Serpente, I. (a cura di) (2011). A quatre mains et plus. Design per la ceramica della regione di Tanger-Tétouan in Marocco. Pisa: Edizioni ETS

Lotti, G. (2010). Territori & Connessioni. Design come attore della dialettica tra locale e globale. Pisa: Edizioni ETS, ISBN:9788846726179.