Geodesign iterations: relevance for planning research, education, and practice.

The geodesign methodology (Steinitz, 2012) proposes iterations as a way to develop a study from early scoping stages aimed at understanding how the study should be framed, to metaplanning, aiming at defining how the study should be implemented, to the final real-world implementation. Iterations may be part of the same study, or alternatively, it is argued here, they may be implemented in different study instances on the same study area. The latter approach may indeed have benefits with relevance for planning research, education, and practice. With reference with the Metropolitan City of Cagliari (Italy) study area, the au-thor reports on several geodesign study instances on the same area, arguing each instance may indeed be considered as an iteration at the macro level, de-scribing how between 2016 and 2021 several study instances helped first to scope which issues, opportunities, and challenges needed to be addressed in the study area, then to serve as a case study in academic planning courses, and eventually in setting the ground for a real-world strategic planning process involving local authorities.