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In large-scale projects, such as transport infrastructures, the cost-planning phase stands out as one of the most crucial for the project's success. Cost and time overruns, during the construction phase, are often the cause of project failure. A meticulous, conscious, and accurate ex-ante analysis of cost and time assessment can greatly contribute to the efficient and effective completion of a project. Various approaches have been developed to estimate and mitigate cost overruns. Such mitigation is subject to careful analysis of project risks, encompassing construction, environmental, social acceptance, and market risks. In this contribution, we propose the implementation of the risk-assessment tool, suggested by the National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC), using fuzzy logic to enhance its effectiveness. Thanks to the implementation of fuzzy prioritizations, the risk matrix and the associated risk levels, which are obtained by combining the event's probability of occurrence and its expected impact on costs, have been clearly and structurally defined. This tool can facilitate risk ranking and, therefore, the implementation of their management strategies during the design and construction phases as well as the consensus-creation process. This application can therefore be used by public authorities as a transparent and manageable tool to assess expected risk during the design and implementation phases of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing urbanization trend, projected to reach 70% of the global population residing in cities by 2050, underscores the pivotal role of cities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (UN, 2015) and combating climate change. Nonetheless, the 2023 report by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) reveals an alarming gap in achieving SDG 11 "Sustainable cities and communities" by 2030. This gap highlights the urgent need for transformative shifts in urban policies and investments to prevent cities from becoming centers of global disparities, including socio-economic inequalities, digital divide, and spatial fragmentation, particularly in marginal areas. Marginal areas suffer indeed from conditions of sub-optimality in planning capacity, valuable decision-making, and project implementation. The inadequate planning, management, and governance of marginal areas, coupled with suboptimal investments, can severely compromise their socioeconomic condition. Planning efforts frequently fall short in achieving long-term sustainability goals due to localized and short-sighted decision-making processes, particularly evident in marginal areas. It is crucial, though, to support their public administrations in the achievement of the SDG 11 targets and in their responsive participation in the calls for the allocation of public funding. In this paper, we provide a theoretical and methodological approach to evaluate urban regeneration projects in marginal areas. In detail, we develop an A'WOT approach, which combines a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to rank alternative urban development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The persistent decline in infrastructure spending, notably within the transportation sector, raises concerns about governments' capacity to meet the demands of a sustainable growing economy. The incorporation of risk assessment in the analysis and computation of potential cost overruns emerges as an effective and efficient tool, underpinning the economic and financial sustainability of infrastructure expansions. Focusing on the "State Road No. 51 of Alemagna Vittorio Veneto" (SSv-51) variant, this study analyzes and proposes a model to forecast the possible cost overruns of an infrastructure project. The application of the risk assessment tool proposed by the National Anti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) offers valuable insights into potential risks associated with project costs and their valuation. The matrix developed in the current study draws from the ANAC Matrix, which comprises four categories of risk divided into 21 risk types. The selection is based on the project's characteristics, and a matrix is compiled that forecasts the combination of the probability of risk occurrence and the cost impacts on the project. The proposed risk matrix serves as a practical tool for managing uncertainties and estimating potential cost overruns, estimating ex ante a possible cost increase of 7.53%. This projected increase differs only by 1.34% from the final execution costs, mitigating the unforeseen cost overruns not estimated by the initial project. The proposed risk assessment tool emphasizes the importance of integrating risk management into project planning and execution. The research investigated an applied case utilizing an easily adaptable tool, suitable for potential future implementation, further advancement, and broader testing across various project samples in the future. The study provides a framework to assess and mitigate risks linked to cost overruns. As nations navigate infrastructure development complexities, proactive risk management practices are indispensable for efficient resource management, ensuring the economic and financial sustainability of these complex projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A real estate asset comprises land and improvements. The proportions of these components vary over time and across locations. Notably, the land value component is consistent over time, unaffected by depreciation. Consequently, the weight of land value in determining the overall asset value is crucial, particularly in those improvements that are highly sensitive to depreciation, such as energy-efficient buildings. While several studies have explored the relationship between energy-efficient building consumption and urban density, there is currently a research gap concerning the relationship between land value and the value of efficient improvements built on it. Before investigating this potential relationship, it is imperative to preliminary examine any possible correlations between land values and land density. To verify this correlation, we captured the "Land Leverage" of a real estate property by calculating the ratio between the value of the land and the total value of the real estate property and correlating it with the allowable density. Our analysis of the Land Leverage (LL) trend in a restricted development area over a ten-year period demonstrates that LL increases with the level of permitted density in a neighborhood. This evidence will serve as the foundation to verify whether Land leverage, through urban-densification strategies, might be a pivotal factor in driving the values of energy-efficient assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Urban transitions and urban-scape have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and will likely be affected by the current Ukrainian-Russian conflict. These two major events have affected European urban regions and especially marginal regions. Indeed, these regions are mostly struggling with inequality, lack of optionality, interoperability, and resilience due to their energy dependency and digital asymmetries. The continuous demand for a green and digital transition to strengthen social and economic resilience sought and targeted by the European Community has driven the policy of recent years to new European Guidelines. Nevertheless, the digital transition will require sustainability targets in the urban context, changing economic, social, and ecological relationships and balances. In this context, faced with these new transitions, marginal urban regions must plan, design, build, and manage future urban planning choices in a new digital-hybrid space. Therefore, it is crucial to support these transitions with a multi-dimensional sustainability concept through economic, environmental, social, and digital measurements. Urban sustainability indicators (USIs) play an essential role in supporting urban choices and planning. The current study analyzes recent literature and European standards to verify if and how they have changed in embracing the European Policy Pillar under a new and different sustainability profile, which needs to include digital sustainability. As a matter of fact, even if the concept of digitization has been recognized as a pillar of ongoing transitions, the literature and even European indicators struggle to recognize it as a tangible and measurable indicator of sustainability. Seeking to bridge the gap between European requirements and urban practice, the aim of this study is to identify and suggest new key indicators of digitalization to enable the digital sustainability of urban planning to be measured. These indicators can be used to implement a new valuation tool capable of supporting marginal regions by promoting sustainable urban investments in this new hybrid space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]