The Social Policy Lab has been active since 2001 at the Department of Architecture and Planning of the Polytechnic of Milan. While the Lab research activity was initially oriented to social policies, now the research has developed to include also the analysis and interpretation of social changes affecting contemporary society and particularly urban contexts. Through research, training and advice, the Lab is a point of reference for scholars, policy makers, operators called up to cope with different kinds of social needs, rapidly evolving. Therefore the Lab offers a range of research competences, but also a place of discussion, production and sharing knowledge, both theoretical and policy-oriented.