Buoyant bologna ‘one to watch’

Bologna’s exciting plans for growth could impact positively on the local housing market.

According to the local agency in charge of promoting investment in the city, Promo Bologna, there is nearly €21 billion currently set aside for investment in and around the city: €6.5 billion of listed investments for projects in the metropolitan area and province of Bologna over the coming years and €15 billion for national infrastructural investment in transportation networks converging on Bologna.

The expansion of the city’s Marconi Airport is a key part of the infrastructure regeneration. Giuseppina Gualtieri, the chairwoman of the airport, commented: "The airport is the door to the world and can act as the motor for all of Bologna's other infrastructure projects from housing to public transportation. It's important that the airport expansion happens, all the rest will follow."

Some of the other improvements are housing and downtown development, including residential units around the University of Bologna. If all the plans are approved, then apartment buildings valued at about €1.2 billion will be constructed in three different areas, including a new neighborhood called Bertalia-Lazzaretto.

A spokesperson for Promo Bologna enthused: “With all the investment in the city, it looks to be a good place for those interested in international real estate. The key to its investment is also a key for property seekers, as it is easy to get to just about anywhere in the northern half of Italy from here”