Assessing Impact: IN-HABIT’s Path to Inclusive Urban Policy

Why Is Impact Assessment Important in Urban Innovation Projects?
In urban innovation projects, assessing impact is essential for understanding what works, for whom, and under what conditions. It ensures that interventions are not only visionary but also grounded in evidence, guiding better decisions and more inclusive urban development.

What Is the Purpose of This Evaluation and What Assumptions Guide It?
The main objective of the evaluation component in this project is to assess the short- and medium-term effects of IN-HABIT’s Visionary and Integrated Solutions (VISs) on Inclusive Health and Well-being (IHW) across four pilot cities: Córdoba (Spain), Lucca (Italy), Riga (Latvia), and Nitra (Slovakia). The evaluation is built on the understanding that well-being is a complex and context-sensitive concept influenced by social, economic, environmental, and psychological factors.
To guide this assessment, a combined framework has been used, drawing from the World Health Organization’s social determinants of health, the OECD’s well-being indicators, and the principles of Gender, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (GDEI). This approach ensures that the impacts are evaluated fairly and inclusively.
The task is being led by the University of Turin, specifically the research team at Collegio Carlo Alberto, who coordinate this work package. The findings are intended to serve both as a basis for understanding the interventions in the pilot cities and as a resource for other cities looking to replicate similar strategies to support urban innovation.

What Is Being Measured and How Is the Data Collected?
The specific goal is to explore how the VISs are affecting physical and mental health, social well-being, and economic opportunities—both at the individual level and within the broader community.
To capture a full picture of the impacts, a mixed-method approach has been applied. A structured questionnaire, combining both scaled items and open-ended questions, was distributed among residents and local stakeholders in each pilot city. This was carried out with the support of Local Community Activators (LCAs), who helped ensure a wide range of perspectives were included. The resulting data offer both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights into perceived changes linked to the interventions.

Who Participated in the Survey and What Does the Sample Represent?
Around 250 responses were collected in each of the four cities, with participants equally divided between those directly involved in the interventions (intervention group) and those not involved (control group).
Although the sample is not statistically representative, it includes people of diverse ages, genders, and social backgrounds. As such, it provides a meaningful snapshot of how the population is experiencing the initial effects of the VISs.

What Are the Initial Findings and What Do They Suggest?
Initial results suggest that the VISs are generally perceived in a positive light, especially in areas such as emotional well-being, social participation, and access to new economic or vocational opportunities.
At the same time, some participants expressed concerns, likely connected to delays in implementation or unmet expectations for specific activities.
Overall, the preliminary evidence points to the potential of the VISs to enhance inclusive urban well-being, contributing to more equitable, healthy, and connected urban communities.

Why Do These Evaluations Matter for the Future of Urban Innovation?
These evaluations mark an essential first step in understanding how urban interventions affect real communities. But their significance goes far beyond initial results. They offer a practical foundation for cities seeking to adapt and replicate successful strategies, turning lessons learned into actionable pathways for innovation.
By capturing lived experiences and measurable outcomes, these assessments help ensure that urban transformation is not only visionary but also sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in what communities truly need.