Giulio Verdini

Giulio Verdini is Reader in Urban Planning at the University of Westminster's School of Architecture and Cities, and Visiting Professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco. Previously, he served as Associate Professor at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and co-founded its Research Institute of Urbanisation.

Education includes:

• BA/MA in Architecture (University of Ferrara)
• PhD in Economics, Urban and Regional Development (University of Ferrara)

His research examines sustainable territorial development with focus on cultural dimensions of urbanization, social innovation in rapidly developing regions, and climate-resilient transitions through participatory methodologies like foresight and community co-design.

Key projects include UNESCO's 'Culture for Sustainable Urban Development' report, EU-funded territorial empowerment initiatives, and research on urban-rural integration in China. His publications analyze the role of cultural heritage in sustainable development frameworks.

Scientific honors:

• Best Paper Award (IFoU 2011)
• Research Paper Prize (Suzhou 2015)
• Asian Townscape Finalist

He leads the MA International Planning program and has supervised seven PhD students in urban governance, cultural regeneration, and place-making. As Co-Convener of the Emerging Territories Research Group, he coordinates interdisciplinary work on migration and spatial justice. External collaborations include UN-Habitat, ICOMOS, and European Commission research evaluation panels.

Verdini co-directs knowledge-exchange initiatives like the Figuig Climate Studio in Morocco and serves as Vice-President of the International Laboratory of Architecture and Urban Design.