The INN-LINK-S Research Unit has the purpose of integrating skills and abilities that are present horizontally in various Departments of the University in order to develop more efficiently research activities in projects and programmes, both at the national and international levels, devoted to the development of innovative systems for the conservation, valorisation and management of local systems of knowledge as expressions of the cultural relation between society and nature, as well as of a sustainable management of natural resources.

Research activities are characterised by a systemic approach directed to the integration of quantitative scientific-experimental research methods and tools with qualitative research tools for knowledge management.

This translates into the development of activities such as:

• the localisation, identification, representation, modelling and codifying of local and implicit knowledges;
• classification, organization and communication;
• design of innovative learning and communication skills;

• design and experimentation concerning sustainable innovation of local and implicit knowledges.

5 recent research projects

2014| 2016
3D Design pour le Développement Durable des Productions Artisanales Locales
TEMPUS programme Trans-European Mobility scheme for University Studies 
Head and coordinator of the project: Giuseppe Lotti
2012|2014
VERSUS Lessons from Vernacular Heritage for Sustainable Architecture
EU Culture Programme  2007-2013
Head of the project: Saverio Mecca
www.esg.pt/versus
2010|2012
ARTIMED Sviluppo dei Saperi artigianali tradizionali e integrazione dei sistemi produttivi in Marocco e in Italia
Programme for the Support to Regional Cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development – sub-project coordinated by the Tuscan Region.
Head of the project: Giuseppe Lotti
2009|2011
Terra [In]cognita. Earthen architecture in Europe
EU Culture Programme 2007-2013
Head of project: Saverio Mecca
http://www.culture-terra-incognita.org/
2007|2009
Coupoles & Habitat Une tradition constructive entre Orient et Occident
EU Culture Programme  2000
Head and Coordinator of the project: Saverio Mecca

5 recent publications

Fioravanti, M., Mecca, S. (eds.) (2011). The safeguard of Cultural Heritage. A challenge from the past for the Europe of tomorrow, Florence: FUP.
Correia, M., Dipasquale, L., Mecca, S. (eds.) (2011). Terra Europae, Earthen Architecture in the European Union, Pisa: Edizioni ETS.
Lotti,G., Kabbaj, K., Serpente, I. (eds.) Edizioni ETS
Lotti, G. (2010). Territori & Connessioni. Design come attore della dialettica tra locale e globale. Pisa: Edizioni ETS, ISBN:9788846726179.
Mecca, S., Dipasquale, L. (2009). Earthen Domes and habitats. The Villages of Northern Syria. An architectural tradition shared by east and west, Pisa: Edizioni ETS.
Mecca, S., Dipasquale, L., Rovero, L., Tonietti, U. E Volpi, V. (eds.) (2010). Chefchaouen, Architettura e cultura costruttiva. Pisa: Edizioni ETS.