Editorial: Few considerations on the effectiveness of the evaluation in the architectural projects and territorial plans

Even though decision makers, designers, planners and controllers should face problems which require strong, efficient, and specialized evaluation, it is only rarely performed within decision-making processes. As a consequence, evaluation often results in excluded, undervalued and manipulated activity. The evaluators should understand why public institutions and other actors consider evaluation less useful than it actually is, but they also should question both the usefulness of the actual evaluations and the adequacy of their theoretical and practical models while addressing the complexity of the contemporary urban context. This means that evaluators need to discuss and realize on what basis and with what objectives they may more effectively cooperate, integrate knowledge and establish methods to carrying out their social tasks. Another problem is related to the weak link between research and practice. In recent years, research has aimed to address the complexity of a more equitable and sustainable urban development and provided effective support for the connected decision making processes. However, the evaluation tools developed have had very limited circulation and a large gap exists between the available knowledge and its actual practical implementation. Evaluation of territorial transformation is at an important stage of its growth which requires a broad and deep reflection Our journal, “Valori e Valutazioni” with the support of SIEV association and the collaboration of the Department of Architecture of the University of Florence is promoting a process ‒ involving outstanding national international, scientists, experts, and professionals in evaluation and other related and close sectors ‒ aimed to analyse, compare, and investigate the main problems arising in the evaluation of architectural design and urban and territorial planning decision-making.