Italy's Polycentric Identity Drives New Urban Organization Models Beyond Regeneration

A decade after the New Urban Agenda was established, Monsignor Murphy highlights the urgent need for housing strategies that cater to the population's requirements, moving away from a focus solely on urban regeneration. Since its inception in 2016, urbanization has accelerated, with the number of megalopolises rising from 20 in 2000 to a projected 33 by 2025. This rapid expansion has resulted in growing discontent due to poor living conditions in major cities. In Italy, a high rate of homeownership exists alongside a housing affordability crisis, while rural areas suffer from depopulation and vacant properties. The article proposes a 'città diffusa' approach, linking towns and cities through improved infrastructure, potentially with backing from the European Community and the European Investment Bank, positioning Italy at the forefront of urban innovation.