This study aims to explore the ways international university students perceive and use public spaces in the Aurora and Vanchiglia neighborhoods of Turin. Turin, as a former industrial city, has started its transformation through 3 strategic plans from the 90s to 2015 towards a knowledge-based city as one of the main aspects of introducing a new identity of the city. In accordance with this, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo) and the University of Turin (Unito) have been identified as two major actors in revitalizing urban development. These institutions have started to promote the new image of the city in relation to social interactions, student housing, economy, services, and international enrollments.