Terrain Vague via Applied Ontology

about

Type of Event

COST Action Training School
Organised under OBSERVISTA – COST Action CA24134: Observatory of Innovative Strategies for
Repurposing Terrain Vague

Location and Date

Florence, Italy
Faculty of Architecture - Santa Teresa
Via della Mattonaia n.14

22–23 January 2026

Topic

Applied Ontology for Terrain Vague Terminology Development
The Training School introduces participants to the use of Applied Ontology (AO) as a methodological
framework for structuring, analysing, and harmonising terminology related to Terrain Vague / urban
voids in support of the OBSERVISTA glossary and conceptual foundations.

DESCRIPTION

Scope

The event is designed to:

• Build foundational understanding of applied ontology concepts,
• Introduce methodological pathways for conceptual analysis in urban studies,
• Establish a shared terminology dataset for the Initiated Glossary Development,
• Integrate AO perspectives with conceptual, methodological, and literature-based approaches
to Terrain Vague research, and
• Support WG1 objectives within the MoU, particularly RCO1, CBO1, T1.2, and T1.3.

Expected Outcomes

Participants will:

• Acquire methodological skills in Applied Ontology for conceptual analysis,
• Contribute to the first iteration of the OBSERVISTA glossary,
• Engage in the collaborative refinement of terminology across disciplines.

Programme Synopsis

The two-day Training School on Applied Ontology brings together conceptual, methodological and
literature-based approaches to advance the development of a shared terminology for Terrain Vague
within the OBSERVISTA COST Action CA24134. Through a sequence of plenary sessions jointly delivered

with the host institution, the programme introduces participants to foundational concepts of terrain

vague and urban voids, methodological principles of applied ontology, and the integration of AI tools in academic research.

The first day focuses on conceptual analysis and applied ontology, providing theoretical grounding,
methodological demonstrations, and hands-on analytical exercises. The programme also includes a
thematic session on AI for research practices and an interactive evening activity exploring semantic
interpretation.

The second day is dedicated to systematic literature review methods tailored to terrain vague/urban
voids studies, equipping participants with analytical tools needed to support the glossary development.
The Training School concludes with a collaborative conceptual analysis lab conducted by the
OBSERVISTA research team, consolidating insights and contributions toward the initial glossary
dataset.

FULL PROGRAMME

Registration

Information on the registration, participation, and reimbursement process for the Training School will
be published soon, in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the COST Action
regulations.

Organising Team

Organizing Scientific Committee and Invited Scholars

Camilla Perrone - Università degli Studi di Firenze (coord.)
Giulia Guadagnoli - Università di Firenze
Lorenzo Stefano Iannizzotto - DINÂMIA'CET-Iscte, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon
Stefano Borgo - ISTC, CNR

Maria Rosaria Stufano Melone - Politecnico di Bari
Riccardo De Benedictis - ISTC, CNR
Roberta Ferrario - ISTC, CNR

with

Greta Adamo - Libera Università di Bolzano
Krystallia Kamvasinou - University of Westminster (Action Chair CA24134 - OBSERVISTA)
Alexandra Paio - ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon
Max Willis - Polytechnic University of Valencia

Local Organizing Team

Giulia Guadagnoli (coordinator), Margot Diradourian, Edison França, Bianca Galmarini, Eni Nurihana and Stefania Zaccaro - Università degli Studi di Firenze, Maria Rosaria Stufano Melone - Politecnico di Bari with the support of Benedetta Masiani - Università degli Studi di Firenze

OBSERVISTA

About OBSERVISTA

CA24134 - Observatory of Innovative Strategies for Repurposing Terrain Vague (OBSERVISTA)
OBSERVISTA aims to innovate our approach to urban vacant spaces, commonly known as ‘terrain
vague’, by creating a pan-European knowledge hub for innovative repurposing strategies. In an era of
rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges, these overlooked spaces present unique
opportunities for addressing pressing urban issues such as climate resilience, biodiversity loss, and

social inequity. However, current approaches to terrain vague are fragmented across disciplines and
sectors, limiting their potential impact.
This Action will bridge these knowledge gaps by:

1) Investigating diverse definitions, interpretations and forms of terrain vague across Europe;
2) Exploring innovative repurposing models;
3) Analysing legal and policy frameworks across different countries, scales and contexts;
4) Developing impactful activities, toolkits and frameworks;
5) Forging a Pan-European ‘community of practice’

OBSERVISTA will establish a collaborative network infrastructure, bringing together planners,
ecologists, social scientists, artists, architects and community organisers from at least 10 European
countries. The Action will facilitate knowledge exchange through a dynamic online platform, case study
visits, interdisciplinary training workshops and networking events. It aims to develop a common
language around terrain vague, create best practice guidelines for repurposing projects, and train a new
generation of researchers and practitioners in innovative approaches to urban vacant spaces. By linking
academic research with on-the-ground initiatives, OBSERVISTA will generate actionable insights for
stakeholders such as policymakers, urban designers, and community groups to catalyse a paradigm
shift in how we perceive and utilise urban vacant spaces from neglected areas into valuable hubs of
social inclusion, health restoration, ecological regeneration, and climate adaptation.

Action keywords
Terrain Vague - Landscape Ecology - Applied Ontology - Community of Practice - Participatory Design

WEBPAGE