Housing question

In a country where housing has always been considered a safe haven and a symbol of stability, it's no surprise that the majority of Italian families own a home. Yet this figure, while still (just) above 70%, has been steadily decreasing in recent years. This trend has numerous economic and financial explanations, starting with the lack of general wage growth and job instability among younger generations, as well as contingent factors such as rising mortgage interest rates and the conversion of residential properties into hospitality facilities, which has significantly reduced available space, especially in cities.

According to statistics, a housing crisis has already existed, and has been so for some time now affecting a significant number of people: approximately 10 million Italians find it difficult to access a home suited to their needs. This number, while clearly encompassing a wide range of situations, clearly illustrates the complexity of the problem and the need for solutions, preferably innovative ones. For a variety of reasons, much more than the construction of new homes, there's been much discussion about the redevelopment of existing buildings and urban spaces: an approach that aims to optimize the use of available resources.

This involves transforming degraded or underutilized areas into functional and sustainable spaces, improving the quality of life of citizens and promoting social inclusion and community well-being. These interventions can simultaneously serve economic regeneration (by stimulating the local economy), environmental regeneration (by promoting sustainability), and social and cultural regeneration (by improving the quality of life through art, culture, and education). The current prime example is Scalo Porta Romana in Milan, a project that aims to transform the site of a former railway yard into a sustainable neighborhood with green spaces, housing, offices, and services (it is also the site that will host the Olympic Village for the 2026 Winter Olympics). But urban redevelopment projects are widespread throughout Italy, and many of them (with PNRR funding, 271 have been financed): some focus on entire neighborhoods, affecting hundreds or thousands of residents, others focus on smaller groups, such as families in need or the homeless. Everywhere, they inspire anticipation and hope because, even in a globalized world, the physical territory we inhabit remains fundamental to the quality of our existence.

Experts say that while specific redevelopment projects have been crucial for entire neighborhoods in recent decades (and not just those; try calling Sermig for a clear example), a significant part of the future of Italian cities will depend on the good planning and success of projects that have matured in recent times, further supported by greater general awareness and the availability of public, as well as private, capital. The future of cities is being written now.


NP May 2025
Stefano Caredda