The Urban Check-Up model developed by Insubria’s Smarter Research Centre wins the 2026 “Lorenzo Cagnoni” Award for green innovation.

The urban assessment model Urban Check-Up Model, Ucum, promoted by the Italian National Agency Enea and developed by the Smarter Research Centre of the University of Insubria, directed by Professor Roberta Pezzetti, in collaboration with the Energy Service Company City Green Light, has won the 2026 “Lorenzo Cagnoni” Award for Green Innovation, in the “Sustainable Cities” category.

The award, presented on the opening day of Key – The Energy Transition Expo 2026, taking place in Rimini, recognises the innovative value of an original digital tool designed to support local public administrations in assessing the level of “smartness” of urban public infrastructure and services.

The Ucum assessment model makes it possible to map, analyse and evaluate heterogeneous static and dynamic data from individual infrastructure and public services operating within a municipal area, within a robust methodological framework validated by Enea. In this way, it provides municipalities with a clear mapping of critical issues and specific intervention priorities, which are necessary to support the energy and digital transition pathways of each urban context.

The experimental research project that led to the development of the Ucum model was funded by the National Electricity System Research programme, as part of the three-year research plans promoted by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.

“The award represents a prestigious recognition of the quality of the experimental research carried out within the Smarter Research Centre to develop innovative analysis tools and methodologies useful for guiding the transition of urban contexts towards the sustainable city model,” says Roberta Pezzetti, Scientific Director of the Centre, who coordinated the multi-year research project.

“The Urban Check-Up Model provides cities and local areas, including smaller ones, with an innovative tool for assessing the level of digitalisation of urban services that are strategic for the digital transition, guiding innovation choices and the intervention priorities needed to close the gaps identified,” says Enrica Pavione of the Department of Economics at the University of Insubria, a member of the research group.

“The first prize awarded to the Urban Check-Up Model confirms the value of an approach that integrates scientific research, technological innovation and practical application in local areas,” says Nicoletta Gozo, project manager for the Italian National Agency Enea. “Together with the Smarter Research Centre, we have developed an innovative tool that helps public administrations to ‘read’ the level of digitalisation and sustainability of urban services in a systemic way, offering a robust methodological framework capable of supporting municipalities in making strategic decisions and planning interventions and related investments.”

“This award recognises the value of work built in close collaboration between public research and industrial expertise,” says Alessandro Bortoletto, Innovation Manager at City Green Light. “In Ucum, we have brought together our technological experience to develop a tool capable of translating data analysis into concrete operational guidelines for public administrations. The methodological robustness of the tool and the replicability of the assessment model are now key elements in supporting local areas in their transition pathways, expanding the knowledge base of the urban context.”

The effectiveness of the model is already demonstrated by pilot projects launched in the municipalities of Trani, Palermo, Reggio Emilia and Pitigliano.

“The virtuous collaboration established within the project between research bodies, public administrations and industrial partners also enhances the impact of high-quality basic research activities in pursuing the University’s Third Mission and Public Engagement objectives,” concludes Professor Pezzetti.