The project
Closer to neighbourhoods and communities
OFF CAMPUS is an initiative promoted with the aim of strengthening the presence of Politecnico in the city of Milan. The underlying concept is that of a more engaged University, targeting social challenges and closer to neighbourhoods and communities.
The initiative was launched in 2018 and the first Off Campus space was opened in the San Siro neighbourhood in April 2019, followed by new spaces in the Nolo district (September 2020), in the San Vittore detention centre (October 2022) and in the former farmhouse Cascina Nosedo (December 2022).
Activities
Co-research, education, neighbourhood services
Within the Off Campus spaces, teachers, researchers and students are engaged in the following activities: innovative learning, focused on work in real contexts as a means to develop new skills; responsible research, seeking a greater inclusiveness of knowledge production processes; co-designing with local stakeholders, to implement projects with a positive impact on the community. Local services are also offered, along with a cultural and educational agenda aimed at communities nearby.
Institutional Framework
New Governance
Since January 2026, the “Organizational and Operating Regulations for the Politecnico di Milano Off Campus Spaces” have been in force, establishing the new governance structure:
- The Rector
- The Scientific Committee
- The Scientific Director
- Scientific Coordinators of the individual Off Campus Spaces
- The Off Campus Administrative Coordinator
The Regulations place the Off Campus Programme within a structured three-year planning framework, based on two main instruments:
- Three-Year Guidelines: define the strategic objectives, priorities and development directions of the Programme;
- Three-Year Activity Plans: set out the activities, projects and expected outcomes for each Off Campus Space, in line with the Three-Year Guidelines.
Off Campus Committee
| Alessandro Perego | Vice Rector for Sustainable Development and Societal Impact |
| Antonella Bruzzese | Director, Off Campus Committee – Department of Architecture and Urban Studies |
| Lorenza Petrini | Deputy Head, Off Campus Committee – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| Irene Bengo | Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering |
| Laura Galluzzo | Department of Design |
| Gisella Tomasini | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Silvia Barattieri | Head of Innovation and Social Responsibility Unit – Campus Life Division |