Politics · Italy · 10 hrs ago
Urbanists warn Milan’s development model is weakening planning rules
Urbanists and researchers criticized Milan’s development model at a conference in the city, saying it has spread across Italy.
They argued that public authorities have reduced their role in guiding development, leaving more influence to private real-estate operators.
Speakers said the transformation sped up after Expo 2015, as Milan became more of a global city.
They linked that change to rising prices and greater income inequality, warning that this could harm the city’s social cohesion.
Researchers also warned that social housing is attracting financial investment, turning homes into financial products.
Urbanist Paolo Berdini said court rulings, some favorable and others not, have opened a new path for debate, and speakers called for development to serve residents and the public good.
Urbanists and researchers say Milan’s development model has weakened planning rules and spread across Italy.
They argue that public authorities have ceded control of urban change to private operators.
Speakers at a Milan conference linked the model to rising prices, income inequality and pressure on social cohesion.
They said the city’s transformation accelerated after Expo 2015.
Some speakers called for development to serve residents and the city as a common good.
- Who
- Urbanists, researchers and other speakers at a conference organised by Il Fatto Quotidiano and Altreconomia.
- What
- They warned that Milan’s development model has weakened planning rules and given private operators greater influence over urban change.
- When
- Not stated. The article was published on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- At the Acli hall in Milan.
- Why
- Speakers said public authorities had reduced their role in regulating development, while private operators and financial interests gained influence.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Speakers said Milan’s transformation accelerated after the event.
Il Fatto Quotidiano published a report on a two-day conference about Milan’s development model.
- Conference
- Modello Milano, Anatomia di un sistema-città
- Organisers
- Il Fatto Quotidiano and Altreconomia
- Venue
- Acli hall, Milan
- Expo
- Speakers said the city’s transformation accelerated after Expo 2015
- Article publication
- October 16, 2026
What people are saying
The Milan model has destroyed every liberal rule of land governance, not only here but throughout Italy, because it has now spread across the whole country.
They have gradually reduced the weight of their intervention in regulating the dynamics of development, given up guiding transformations, effectively handing control to private operators and surrendering to the financialisation of housing and the city.
This financialisation is happening above all through social housing, and social housing is becoming a Trojan horse for the entry of finance and real-estate funds.
We want the material transformation of this city to be directed in another way, in favour of citizens and not in favour of those who pass through.