The Horizon 2020 framework programme is defining funding strategies for research and innovation projects in European cities and promoting policies and solutions for the transition to a competitive energy system at an urban scale. Given that Horizon Europe, thanks to the Driving Urban Transition Partnership, will fund RD&I projects regarding transitions to urban sustainability; how municipalities will implement different strategies is a relevant key to developing replicable models. We conducted this study on Italian cities through a mapping exercise on selected case studies. The aim was to provide a knowledge framework to municipalities undertaking sustainable urban development actions. We selected case studies based on energy efficiency in buildings, both in retrofits and new constructions. This highlighted how the adoption of multifaceted technological solutions blended well with each other, and led, not only, to satisfy the initial requirements, in terms of expected impacts from the single actions, but also provided relevant and replicable samples. For this, the analysis of solutions tested by different municipalities in the selected projects led to spreadsheets and indicators related to energy efficiency in buildings, which enabled a transition to a PED, which could facilitate an understanding of elements that must be clearly indicated in a preliminary design document (Directive 2014/24/UE).

Objectives: This study presents the application of post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) methodologies to facilities for palliative-hospice care, in order to directly assess the physical–spatial qualities better suited for the specific psychological needs of “fragile” users and to ensure better architectural quality in new projects and in renovation measures. Background: In international literature, there are few studies concerning the application of POEs to hospice, assessing the impact of individual environmental factors on users’ psychoemotional reactions. The set of elements that patients and their families perceive as important, defining the architectural quality of a hospice, has not been sufficiently investigated yet. Method: Therefore, a POE was performed on a sample of hospice in Italy, by preparing a self-filled questionnaire addressing patients and relatives. Indicators of perceived physical–spatial humanization, which were validated for hospital facilities (perceived hospital environment quality indicators), were used for the assessment then implemented and harmonized in relation to hospice facilities features. Results: The study revealed the indicators of architectural quality most valued by users, whose reliability was then verified, along with their average quality, by highlighting recurring shortcomings. The global quality was found to be generally high. Below-average scores were found for indicators on usability, acoustic comfort of outdoors, visual and acoustic comfort of shared indoor spaces, and artificial lighting in the recovery room. Conclusion: The study generated new knowledge on hospice and confirmed the efficacy of POEs as a tool both for purchasers and designers. Indeed, the first results of this study allow to recalibrate building programs, revisiting layouts, and elaborating appropriate technical solutions.

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