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To mark its fiftieth anniversary, Gruppo COIMA put together the Inspiring Cities project. Highlighting issues such as inclusion, sustainability, and how to attract local and international investment, the project explores the city of the future and urban regeneration with a long-term perspective.
Presented under the project’s umbrella, a broad-ranging event took place on Thursday, October 10, at the Olympic Village for the 2026 Winter Games, located on the site of Milan’s former Porta Romana rail yards. The day was an important opportunity for examining and discussing models of resilient cities – that is, community spaces able to respond to the main environmental, demographic, social, and technological trends expected to characterize our future.
In the morning, the winning projects from the University Hackathon for Inspiring Cities competition were on show. This brainstorming event saw the participation of 13 Italian universities, including eight from Milan and five from Rome. In the afternoon, there was a discussion on urban regeneration. Attracting the participation of leading figures from the real estate, economics, finance, and other sectors, the session prompted some visionary reflections on the cities of the future.
>>> The Olympic Village for the 2026 Winter Games won the Environmental Social Governance / Future category of the 2023 THE PLAN Real Estate Award
Former railway workshop Squadra Rialzo opened to the public for the first time to host 130 university students and representatives from the government, academic, and architectural sectors to discuss the cities of tomorrow.
The morning opened with welcoming remarks by Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research; Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan; and Andrea Sironi, President of Bocconi University. Then, on October 5, there was a presentation of the projects created by the 130 students, from some of Italy’s most prestigious universities, who participated in the University Hackathon for Inspiring Cities. This took place in three different locations in Milan’s Porta Nuova district: BAM – Biblioteca degli Alberi Milano, COIMA’s offices, and the headquarters of Fondazione Riccardo Catella, a foundation named after the businessman and nature lover who set up COIMA in 1974
From each of the 13 participating universities, ten students envisioned new urban, community, and workplace models, imagining a future society by designing new solutions for a time horizon of the next 50 years. Each of the 13 teams then outlined its dream of the city of the future. Each presentation was introduced by the students’ respective rectors and professors, and included the thoughts of the 13 key architects who have contributed to the history of COIMA: Stefano Boeri, Boeri Studio; Christopher Choa, Outcomist; Michele De Lucchi, AMDL Circle; Bernardo Fort-Brescia, Arquitectonica; Andreas Kipar, Land; Colin Koop, SOM; Kim Herforth Nielsen, 3XN; Fabio Novembre, Fabio Novembre Studio; Lee Polisano, PLP Architects; Michele Rossi, Park Associati; Patricia Viel, ACPV; James von Klemperer, KPF; and Cino Zucchi, CZA.
After the students’ presentations, Ferruccio Resta, president of Fondazione Politecnico di Milano and Fondazione Bruno Kessler, announced the winning team, with the prize going to Vita-Salute San Raffaele University for its Organism project.
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The second part of the Inspiring Cities event began with welcoming remarks by Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of Economy and Finance; Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research; Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region; Andrea Sironi, President of Bocconi University; and Msgr. Erminio De Scalzi.
Next on the program, Andrea Bertelè (partner, McKinsey & Company) and Christopher Choa (director and founder, Outcomist) illustrated their visions of urban trends over the next 50 years. This was followed by a discussion between Francesco Rutelli (president, Anica – National Association of the Film Industry) and Andrée Ruth Shammah (director, Teatro Franco Parenti) of the book Città vince, città perde. A round table discussion followed, including Matteo Del Fante (CEO, Poste Italiane), Maria Bianca Farina (president, Fondazione ANIA – National Association of Insurance Companies), Raffaello Ruggieri (chief lending officer, Intesa Sanpaolo), and Gelsomina Vigliotti (vice-president, European Investment Bank).
By 2070, 60% of the world’s population is expected to live in urban areas (compared to 50% today), while the percentage of people over 65 will reach 20% (currently 9.6%). Based on these estimates, the session focused on energy transition, climate and demographic changes, the use of AI in urban management, social exclusion, and public health, raising important questions about the impact of these changes on urban centers.
Cities of the future will have to adapt to an on-average older population and smaller families. Redevelopment will become necessary to achieve the net zero goal by 2050. Smart cities will embrace innovative technologies to make transport, energy management, and public services more efficient, thus transforming them into interconnected and sustainable ecosystems, reducing environmental impact, and improving quality of life.
The evening concluded with a session during which architect and architectural historian Fulvio Irace spoke with Alida Forte Catella (CEO, COIMA Image), Kelly Russell Catella (head of Sustainability and Communication, COIMA SGR), and Manfredi Catella (founder and CEO, COIMA SGR).
>>> Discover COIMA Image and GIOPAGANI’s project for the interiors of an apartment in Milan’s Bosco Verticale residential towers
Individual photo credits are included in each gallery image
All images courtesy COIMA
