The essay reflects on the relationship between design and social research. Three case studies are discussed, and the practices of cultural mapping and co-design are used to exem-plify the possible continuity between empirical research and design. The three case studies are strategic actions coordinated by the authors in various contexts, both national (Altamura) and international (Malta; Palestinian Territories).
Keywords: Urban sociology, design, social innovation, co-design, cultural mapping, research-action