Living on the water. Sustainability assessment on a project of student housing in Padua

The concept of "living on water" offers a convincing answer to the problems associated with urban development in light of the growing population and environmental concerns. This thesis examines the viability and advantages of building water-based houses as a sustainable substitute, using Padua as a case study city that welcomes more than 7,000 foreign exchange students each year. This study examines the environmental effects of living near water by examining urban areas and ecological factors including water and land use. The study clarifies the possible environmental advantages of embracing aquatic ecosystems as a fundamental form of urban living by comparing these indicators to conventional land-based buildings, focusing on improving social cohesion. The Padua case study provides a stimulating perspective for assessing whether or not water-based homes are appropriate for addressing specific urban problems, such as accommodating an increasing number of international students. By creating a model for water-based student housing, this initiative aims to minimize the load on the current infrastructure, improve the shortage of affordable housing, and enhance the general quality of student life. In the conclusion section, the thesis makes a case for water-based living as a sustainable urban development strategy, emphasizing its ability to improve social cohesion, reduce environmental degradation, and address the growing housing scarcity in fast-urbanizing areas. Empirical evidence and an interdisciplinary study demonstrate how useful this novel strategy will be in building the cities of the future.