Thirtyfive Projects to Improve the City

STUDENTS IN THE COURSE ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT COMPANIES HAVE REALIZED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE SOME CITY PROBLEMS. SOME DEALT WITH SOCIAL ISSUES, OTHERS WITH CULTURAL ONES, OTHERS WITH SERVICES: ALL IN THE HOPES OF REALIZING THEIR PLAN

Start from an issue concerning the city and work out a solution. This is the objective of the projects realized by students for the Economics of Public and Non-Profit Companies course, taught by Alex Turrini (Department of Policy Analysis and Public Management). Some of the projects were presented during the last class in order to analyze their main aspects before the end of the semester. "The projects range through social, cultural and environmental issues and many could actually be feasible. This is the aim of the course: to make students responsible citizens and to push them to design realistic solutions", says Turrini.

Some came up with plans to improve traffic problems, the extension of public transport services at night time and even the so-called "contamination" that affects celiac citizens. Many thought about solutions to solve cultural issues such as the reconstruction and redevelopment of abandoned or neglected spaces (such as lots, theaters, museums) or the promotion of cultural events for the citizens of Milan. Other students instead have focused on non-profit organizations: a group has examined the case of the Pane Quotidiano Onlus in order to implement fundraising. "The projects are real in the sense that we really contacted the authorities to gather information and study solutions which are applicable to reality," says Matilde Sparagna, a student of Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication (CLEACC).

"These projects will constitute the 30% of the final grade, and will be assessed on the basis of originality, completeness, feasibility, impact on the city and organizations and also on the quality of the presentation", says Piergiacomo Mion Dalle Carbonare, the professor who will teach the second part of the course. "In the past there have been projects developed by students which have become real cases of collaboration between students and the city administration, such as the redevelopment of the Isola Carolina Park in Lodi," he continues, "This year there are several potentially feasible projects".

by Benedetta Ciotto