Milan

1. Milan is home to the world's oldest shopping mall, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which opened in 1867. It features stunning architecture and is often referred to as the "salotto di Milano" or the "drawing room of Milan." 2. The city has a unique tradition called "aperitivo," which is a pre-dinner ritual that involves enjoying drinks and light snacks at bars and cafes. This social practice is an integral part of Milanese culture and is often accompanied by a vibrant atmosphere. 3. Milan is known for its canals, which were designed by the famous engineer Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. Although not as famous as Venice's canals, Milan's Navigli district is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, featuring picturesque waterways, charming restaurants, and art galleries.

Milan's housing market is experiencing steady growth, with prices and demand on the rise. As of 2025, the average price per square meter for homes in Milan is around €5,500, reflecting a significant increase over the past few years. The rental market is also robust, with a 4% increase in demand observed in 2024. The city has approximately 194,758 housing units, with about 79.6% occupied and 20.4% vacant. While specific figures for Milan are not available, Italy generally has a high rate of homeownership, though urban areas like Milan tend to have higher rental rates. For rentals, a typical two-room apartment in the city center costs around €1,500 per month. The average daily rate for short-term rentals is €116, with a median occupancy rate of 70%. Public housing accounts for about 8% of Milan's total housing tenure, with an estimated 6,000 vacant public housing units. The city faces challenges in managing its public housing stock, including maintenance issues and long waiting lists. Cooperative housing plays a significant role in providing affordable options. The Consorzio Cooperative Lavoratori has built about 15,000 housing units in Milan and its province since 1974, offering more affordable alternatives to market rates.

The Milan city administration is actively addressing housing challenges through various initiatives and programs. The city has set ambitious targets for affordable housing, including a requirement that 40% of new residential developments over 10,000 square meters be dedicated to affordable housing, with at least 20% for rent. To create more affordable and sustainable housing, Milan has implemented several concrete activities: 1. Three-Year Housing Plan: The city approved a plan for 2023-2025 to provide public and social housing services, aiming to address high rents and housing difficulties for workers. 2. Student Housing Initiative: A project to provide 600 beds in renovated public housing units at affordable rents for students. 3. Public-Private Partnerships: The city collaborates with private operators to develop affordable housing in exchange for urban planning benefits. 4. C40 Reinventing Cities Programme: An international tender to deliver at least 500 dwellings with rent caps across six municipal areas. 5. Energy Efficiency Projects: Initiatives to improve the energy performance of existing housing stock. 6. Support for Cooperative Housing: Partnerships with organizations like CCL to develop affordable housing projects and allocate land for social housing. 7. Urban Regeneration: Incorporating affordable housing into larger urban renewal projects, such as the Porta Romana ex-railway yard development. These efforts demonstrate Milan's commitment to addressing housing affordability and sustainability through a multifaceted approach.

Housing cooperatives play a significant role in addressing affordable housing needs in Milan. The city actively supports cooperative housing models as part of its strategy to provide accessible housing options for residents. Milan's city masterplan requires that 40% of new residential buildings larger than 10,000 square meters be dedicated to affordable housing, with at least 20% for rent. The city promotes affordable housing through public-private partnerships, offering urban planning benefits in exchange for reduced prices and rents. The city collaborates with organizations like the Consorzio Cooperative Lavoratori (CCL) to develop affordable housing projects. CCL has built about 15,000 housing units in Milan and its province based on the cooperative model. The city provides land through tenders specifically for social housing and cooperative projects, and offers incentives such as urban planning benefits to cooperative housing projects meeting affordability criteria. Notable cooperative projects in Milan include the social housing in via Zoia, delivered in 2014, and the Cohabitat Lambrate project, which offers over 100 dwellings for sale at affordable prices and 50 dwellings for rent at reduced rates. Additionally, a partnership between CCL and COIMA will develop 320 housing units in the former rail yard of Porta Romana as part of a larger urban regeneration project.