SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities

Università IULM provides public access to buildings, monuments and natural heritage landscapes of cultural significance, ensuring that the campus is not only a place for learning but also a resource for the wider community.

All university buildings are open to the public through guided tours that allow citizens, schools, and visitors to understand the history, architecture, and daily life of the institution. These tours highlight the role of IULM as a hub of culture, communication, and innovation in the city of Milan.

A landmark example is the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a 10,000 square meter green space inaugurated and maintained by IULM as part of its long-term commitment to urban regeneration in the Barona district. The park is freely accessible to all and offers: workout equipment, a soccer field, an inclusive playground for children with disabilities, a dog-friendly area, and a social gathering space with benches and tables. This garden, to which the university is strongly committed and which is entirely funded by IULM, is a concrete example of how the university restores urban spaces for public use, promoting social inclusion and well-being.

In addition to the Baridon Garden, the entire IULM campus integrates green oases with trees, benches, and pedestrian zones, designed to be accessible and welcoming to residents and visitors. These areas offer opportunities for relaxation, socialization, and cultural exchange, thus reinforcing IULM’s role as a safe, open, and sustainable urban space.

Another key initiative is TAM TAM – Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, the first museum of communication in Italy, developed directly within the IULM campus. Unlike a traditional museum, it is a diffused, open-air exhibition space that transforms the university into a living narrative environment, where knowledge and beauty, information and storytelling come together.

The project includes multiple installations such as the work by artist Ugo Nespolo, the Muro del Cinema, and most recently La Linea del Tempo, a pathway composed of 52 stages that retrace the fundamental milestones in the history of human communication – from the mythical Tower of Babel to the masterpieces of the Renaissance. The route is enriched with bilingual captions, evocative images, immersive scenographies, and audio guides. Importantly, the initiative actively involves IULM students, who contributed to video content, translations, and voiceovers, making the museum not only a cultural experience but also an educational and participatory project.

La Linea del Tempo is freely open to individual visitors as well as to school groups through guided tours upon reservation. Supported by the Ministry under the Progetto Inclusione (PNRR, DM 752/2021), it represents a tangible example of how IULM transforms its campus into a public cultural infrastructure, accessible to diverse audiences and inclusive of different communities.

Complementing this, the university has also developed an open-air contemporary art collection, making its campus a true museum at open sky. Significant examples include the bronze sculpture Contatti Tenaglia (1970) by Giò Pomodoro, inaugurated on campus with the presence of the artist’s family, and previously acquired works such as Porta d’oro (2009) by Marco Nereo Rotelli, Monumento all’Inferno (2018) by Emilio Isgrò, and Time without end (2021) by MASBEDO. These artworks are publicly accessible and permanently displayed outdoors, consolidating IULM’s vocation as an artistic and cultural hub open to the city. As underlined during the inauguration, the presence of such works strengthens the bond between the academic community and the neighborhood, and regenerates the urban environment through culture and beauty.

Through these initiatives, Università IULM demonstrates its commitment to public access to cultural heritage, sustainable urban spaces, and inclusive community engagement, directly contributing to fostering sustainable, safe, and accessible public spaces for all.

Università IULM provides public access to its library including books and publications, making its resources available not only to the academic community but also to external users.

Who can access the library
The IULM Library, located in the main IULM 1 building, is open to students, faculty, researchers, and staff, as well as to guest users from outside the university. External visitors can register at the Welcome Desk to access reading rooms, consult the collections, and make use of dedicated services.

Consulting the library collections
The library offers a rich and diverse collection of 283,004 volumes, alongside 59 electronic databases and journals, which can be accessed through multimedia stations located across the library floors. Materials include monographs, journals, and audiovisuals. Prestigious or non-loanable materials can be consulted in a dedicated consultation room with staff assistance. In 2024, the library acquired 1,812 new volumes, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to updating and expanding its resources.

Loans and consultations
The lending service is available both to institutional users and to external guests. Requests can be submitted via the DIGGER online catalog, with options for reservations, renewals, and interlibrary loans. In 2024, the library recorded 7,827 loans and consultations, with 159 external users making use of its resources, confirming its role as an open educational hub for the wider community.

The Welcome and Orientation Desk
The Library Welcome Desk provides all visitors with information on available services and offers personalized guidance on how to use print and electronic resources. Librarians are available to support bibliographic research through a reference service, by appointment, helping users navigate databases, journals, and repositories. Special attention is dedicated to users with limited mobility: access routes and architectural features are clearly indicated to ensure accessibility for all.

Apeiron – Institutional Repository
Through Apeiron, IULM’s open-access institutional repository, the public can freely consult research outputs produced by the university since 2000. This resource is accessible online without restrictions, supporting the principle of open science and public knowledge sharing.

Università IULM actively provides public access to museums, exhibition spaces, art installations, galleries, works of art and artifacts and cultural events, reinforcing its commitment to creativity, cultural heritage, and community engagement.

A flagship initiative is the Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, the first museum of communication in Italy, developed as a permanent and evolving project within the IULM campus. The museum includes TAM TAM – Teatro delle Arti Mediali, an open-air cultural installation designed as a publicly accessible, permanent exhibition space dedicated to communication in its multiple forms. More recently, the project expanded with La Linea del Tempo, a path of 52 stages tracing the history of human communication from ancient myths to the Renaissance. This immersive and bilingual exhibition, enriched with audiovisual content created in collaboration with IULM students, is freely open to individuals and school groups, positioning the campus as an educational and cultural infrastructure serving the wider community.

Complementing the Museo Diffuso, IULM has created an open-air contemporary art collection across its campus, transforming it into a public sculpture park. Works include Contatti Tenaglia by Giò Pomodoro, Porta d’oro by Marco Nereo Rotelli, Monumento all’Inferno by Emilio Isgrò, and Time without end by MASBEDO. These sculptures are accessible to all visitors and contribute to the idea of the campus as a “territory of beauty and dialogue with the city.”

In addition to permanent collections, IULM also organizes temporary and itinerant exhibitions. A notable example is La Montagna al Femminile, a research-driven exhibition that highlights the economic, cultural, and social contributions of women to the Alpine territories of the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Developed in collaboration with local communities and institutions, the project has produced a digital cartographic and photographic archive and has been presented as a travelling exhibition in Livigno and Bormio, with further public showings scheduled. Through images, videos, and testimonies, the exhibition offers an alternative narrative of the Alpine world and provides access to otherwise hidden cultural heritage.
Another example from 2024 is The adventures of vision exhibition by Virgilio Villoresi about the works of contemporary audiovisual: Amid dechirican scenarios, 19th-century apparatuses such as zootropes and phenachistoscopes repurposed in a key that is both playful and disturbing, visual effects mostly created during filming without resorting to excessive post-production; the exhibited works of Virgilio Villoresi were able to create a magical theater capable of transporting viewers into a dreamlike world.

By offering free, open access to museums, exhibitions, and cultural events, Università IULM not only fosters creativity and innovation but also contributes directly to promoting inclusive cultural spaces, accessible artistic experiences, and meaningful community engagement.

Università IULM provides free public access to open spaces and green spaces, ensuring that its campus and surrounding areas contribute to the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments.

A flagship initiative is the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a 10,000-square-meter green area in the southern part of Milan. Entirely created by IULM as part of its long-term urban regeneration strategy for the Barona district, the garden has been freely accessible to the public since its redevelopment. It offers workout equipment, a synthetic turf soccer field, a playground designed for children with disabilities, a designated dog area, and shaded seating areas with benches and tables. By opening this space to all citizens, IULM has transformed a former underused site into a community asset that promotes social inclusion, well-being, and sustainability.

In addition to the Baridon Garden, the entire IULM campus integrates smaller green oases, tree-lined pedestrian areas, and open courtyards equipped with benches and rest areas. These spaces are open to residents, visitors, and the university community, providing opportunities for leisure, cultural exchange, and everyday social interaction.

Directly in front of the main university building, two open-air water basins are available to the public. These basins contribute to reducing the heat-island effect by lowering temperatures during the hottest months in Milan, while also serving as a habitat where local fauna can cool down and thrive, reinforcing IULM’s role in fostering urban biodiversity and climate resilience

Importantly, IULM has linked the creation of these public green spaces to its broader commitment to urban regeneration in Barona. Over the past thirty years, the university has contributed to turning a former semi-abandoned industrial zone into a vibrant and safe area, creating green pedestrian areas, and promoting cultural and social initiatives accessible to the local community.

As part of its sustainability strategy, IULM is committed to protecting and fostering biodiversity within its green areas. Plant selection, green maintenance, and water use are designed to support ecological resilience. By combining public access, biodiversity protection, and urban regeneration, IULM demonstrates how a university campus can serve as a living laboratory for sustainability and community well-being, directly contributing to the creation of accessible and inclusive green spaces for all.

Università IULM actively contributes to local arts and culture through such events as annual public performances of university choirs, theatre groups, orchestras, as well as creative projects, cultural initiatives that are open to both the university community and the wider public. By combining theatre, music, cinema, audiovisual production, and radio, IULM strengthens its role as a hub for cultural participation and creative engagement in Milan.

Performing Arts – Theatre and Music
The Centro Universitario Teatrale (CUT) regularly organizes theatre workshops, masterclasses, and performances that are open to students, staff, and the general public. These activities promote artistic engagement and provide citizens with free opportunities to experience contemporary theatre. In addition, the IULM Choir, founded in 2019 and composed of faculty, students, alumni, and staff, performs regularly in public concerts, contributing to the cultural life of the city and offering an inclusive space where music becomes a shared language.

Cinema and Audiovisual Arts
Cinema is another strategic pillar of IULM’s cultural engagement. In June 2024, IULM inaugurated the new headquarters of IULMovie Lab, an incubator and production center for innovative audiovisual projects. IULMovie Lab not only supports student creativity but also collaborates on national and international projects, directly contributing to the development of the creative industries. Alongside IULMovie Lab, IULM launched IULM Play, a digital platform freely accessible to the public, which serves as both an archive and a streaming channel of audiovisual content produced at the university. The platform already hosts over 200 videos, including institutional events, masterclasses, theatre performances, and original student productions, and is updated weekly with new content.

Each year, IULM students also take part in major international cultural events, such as the Venice International Film Festival, where they contribute to screenings, critical discussions, and media projects. This participation enhances their professional experience while making IULM visible as an active contributor to the international arts scene.

Radio and Creative Communication
Through Radio IULM, the university engages the local community in cultural and creative discussions. The radio station produces programs on music, literature, cinema, sustainability, and social issues, all freely accessible online. This platform allows students and young professionals to experiment with formats of creative communication while ensuring broad access to cultural content.

By promoting local and public access to the arts across multiple disciplines – from theatre to choir, from cinema to digital platforms, from radio to international festivals – IULM demonstrates its commitment to cultural inclusion, creativity, and community participation. These initiatives reinforce IULM’s contribution to supporting the protection and promotion of cultural heritage and the arts and ensuring that culture remains an accessible and shared good for society.

Università IULM actively delivers projects to record and preserve intangible cultural heritage such as local folklore, traditions, language, and knowledge.

Preserving indigenous heritage in Peru
A flagship initiative is the long-standing mission in Peru, focused on researching and preserving the ancient Andean culture within the framework of the “Indigenous Peoples of Central and South America” program. At the Tumshukayko site (dating back to 3000 BC), IULM researchers have collaborated with local communities in excavation efforts, respecting their role as custodians of the land. The mission has contributed to documenting monumental architecture, reconstructing the ceremonial platform sequence, and identifying new archaeological areas. This work not only advances archaeological knowledge but also supports the preservation of indigenous cultural traditions and memory.

Digital preservation of local traditions in Italy
In parallel, IULM is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies for the safeguarding of intangible heritage. A recent project focuses on the cultural heritage of Roccella Jonica and the Locride area, aiming to document and valorize local folklore, dialects, legends, and artistic expressions. Through the collection of historical archives, audiovisual testimonies, and oral histories, the project develops digital tools to ensure long-term preservation and the possibility of dynamic storytelling in local languages. By involving schools, local experts, and the community, the initiative provides a replicable model of digital safeguarding of intangible culture that balances innovation with ethical and legal considerations.

Underwater archaeology and maritime heritage
IULM is also engaged in underwater archaeological projects that connect cultural preservation with environmental and social sustainability.

• At Castel dell’Ovo in Naples, excavations have uncovered ancient port infrastructures of Parthenope, offering new insights into the role of the sea in cultural exchanges between peoples.
• At the Castle of Baia, in collaboration with the Parco Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei and the Italian Ministry of Culture, IULM researchers are mapping submerged structures and geological faults to preserve both the archaeological remains and the coastal environment.

These projects highlight how intangible maritime heritage – myths, legends, and cultural memory of the sea – can be preserved alongside tangible archaeological sites.

Open cultural education for local citizens
IULM also contributes to the dissemination of cultural memory through open-access educational programs. The initiative Fondamenta offers free online courses for both students and citizens, with lessons on historical figures such as Cicerone, Shakespeare, Maria Montessori, and Alan Turing. This project combines academic learning with public cultural participation, ensuring that the wider community can access knowledge about the legacies that have shaped global cultural identity.

Arts and memory through cinema and festivals
Each year, IULM supports cultural preservation through student participation in the Venice International Film Festival, contributing to critical reflection on cinema as an art form and as a vehicle of collective memory. This engagement strengthens the university’s link with the broader creative industry and ensures that the recording of contemporary cultural expressions remains accessible for future generations.

By integrating archaeological missions, digital preservation, underwater research, open education, and active involvement in international festivals, Università IULM demonstrates a holistic commitment to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. These initiatives reinforce the protection of traditions and knowledge while ensuring they remain accessible and relevant to communities today and in the future.

Università IULM measures, monitors, and sets targets for more sustainable commuting, aligning with its Strategic Plan and sustainability commitments. Within the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, IULM has established as a macro-objective the redaction and implementation of a new “Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL)”, which will guide future actions to reduce the environmental footprint of commuting. A dedicated Mobility Manager has been appointed to oversee this process, ensuring that sustainable mobility becomes a structural component of university governance.

Agreements and partnerships for students
IULM has activated several partnerships to incentivize low-emission and shared mobility for more sustainable commuting among students:

• Trenitalia: special discounts (Welfare Plus 10%) on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca tickets, valid for students and up to six companions, encouraging the use of rail over private cars.
• Wayla: 10% discount on app-based sustainable urban transport services.
• Pikyrent: 50% discount on unlock fees and 30% discount on scooter and microcar sharing, supporting flexible and electric mobility.
• Drivalia E+Share: discounted access to a fleet of 100% electric vehicles, with free parking in city zones and dedicated airport spaces.
• Enjoy (ENI): discounted car-sharing rates for students, promoting shared vehicle use.
• Student housing partnerships: to further reduce commuting needs, IULM has established a network of partners to help students find affordable housing in Milan close to the campus. By facilitating accommodation near IULM, the university directly reduces the need for long-distance commuting, thus lowering emissions and improving quality of life for its students.

Agreements and incentives for staff
The university has also extended sustainable commuting incentives to its academic and administrative staff:

• ATM (Milan Transport Company): discounted annual public transport passes, with the option to pay in installments via payroll.
• Trenitalia Welfare Plus 10%: the same 10% discount available to students is extended to staff.
• Wayla and Pikyrent: discounts on sustainable urban mobility services (10% and 30–50% respectively).
• Drivalia E+Share and Enjoy: staff can access discounted electric car-sharing solutions for commuting and urban travel.
• Corporate Welfare scheme: IULM has extended its welfare program to all employees, allowing them to purchase weekly, monthly, or annual public transport passes through their welfare credits, thus structurally supporting a shift from private vehicles to public transport.
• In addition, IULM promotes remote working and flexible work arrangements for staff, reducing the need for commuting and directly contributing to lowering emissions.

Strategic commitment
The University’s PSCL policy is not only a monitoring tool but also a roadmap for the progressive implementation of green commuting policies, in synergy with other measures such as:

• expansion of photovoltaic installations and energy-efficient infrastructure;
• awareness campaigns on responsible resource use;
• continuous partnerships with public and private actors to broaden access to low-carbon mobility options.

By combining monitoring, governance, incentives, welfare policies, housing support, and community-wide participation, IULM demonstrates its commitment to becoming a car-free, sustainable campus. These efforts contribute to reducing the environmental impact of commuting, promoting sustainable transport, and ensuring equitable access to safe and affordable mobility solutions for both students and staff.

Università IULM actively undertakes actions to promote the % of more sustainable commuting, supported by a structured governance system. The university has appointed a Mobility Manager and introduced the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL) within its 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. These policy tools provide measurable targets, continuous monitoring, and coordinated strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of commuting, aligned with IULM’s ambition of becoming a car-free university.

Partnerships and incentives for sustainable mobility
Derived from this governance framework, IULM has established a wide network of agreements to support sustainable commuting for both students and staff:

• Trenitalia Welfare Plus: discounts (10%) on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, and Frecciabianca trains, available to students and staff, valid also for up to six companions.
• ATM (Milan Transport Company): annual public transport passes for staff at discounted rates, with the option of payroll-based installment payments.
• Wayla: 10% discount on app-based sustainable urban transport services for both students and staff.
• Pikyrent: discounts of 50% on unlock fees and 30% on rentals for scooters and microcars, extended to students and staff.
• Drivalia E+Share: discounted access to a fleet of 100% electric vehicles, with free parking in city zones and electrified airport spaces.
• Enjoy (ENI): discounted car-sharing rates for students and employees, encouraging shared mobility.
• Corporate Welfare scheme: IULM has extended welfare benefits to all staff, allowing the purchase of weekly, monthly, or annual public transport passes through welfare credits, structurally promoting the use of public transport.

Pedestrian- and cycling-friendly campus design
 IULM has invested in infrastructure that facilitates sustainable access to the campus:

• The entire perimeter of the campus and Via Carlo Bo have been made pedestrian-friendly, ensuring safe and attractive walking routes.
• All pedestrian routes provide direct, consistent access to building entrances.
• Routes are designed to connect with public transport nodes, including the Romolo metro and railway station, the Viale Cassala bus stop, and the trolleybus line, ensuring seamless integration between university and city transport.
• Cycling access and parking facilities are provided and integrated into Milan’s wider urban cycling network.

Awareness and communication
IULM regularly informs its community of these opportunities through its official website and internal communication channels. Awareness campaigns highlight the environmental benefits of sustainable commuting and encourage the adoption of eco-friendly travel habits.

Strategic impact
This integrated approach – combining policy (PSCL, Mobility Manager), financial incentives (discounts, welfare), infrastructural improvements (pedestrian and cycling access), and awareness campaigns – demonstrates IULM’s structured commitment to reducing the reliance on private cars and undertaking actions to promote the % of more sustainable commuting .

By implementing these actions, Università IULM contributes to promoting sustainable transport, reducing commuting-related emissions, and ensuring safe, accessible, and eco-friendly connections to the campus for both students and staff.

Università IULM actively promotes and allows telecommuting and remote working for employees as a matter of policy and standard practice to reduce employee commuting-related impacts. This measure is part of the university’s broader sustainability strategy and is therefore not only a contractual benefit but also a recognized action within the university’s official sustainable commuting framework.

Remote working policy
According to the latest collective labor contract, all employees are entitled to work remotely for up to two days per week. This policy aims to reduce the need for daily commuting. By reducing the frequency of physical presence on campus, IULM significantly lowers the carbon footprint of its workforce, while at the same time improving the work-life balance and productivity of its employees.

Strategic impact
By embedding telecommuting into its official commuting plan, IULM directly contributes to reduced commuting emissions, lower traffic congestion, and improved quality of life for staff. The university thus demonstrates its alignment with SDG 11, ensuring that sustainability is pursued through both infrastructural measures and innovative work policies.

Università IULM provides affordable housing for employees, faculty, researchers, professionals, and visiting students, ensuring that academic and research activities can be carried out in Milan with accessible accommodation solutions. This service is formally regulated under the Regolamento Servizio di Foresteria, most recently updated by Rectoral Decree n. 20704 of 23 May 2024, which defines the conditions of access, services offered, and reduced rates compared to the local housing market.

Accommodation is provided in IULM’s two main residences:

• Residenza Santander (Via Santander 5, Milan – MM2 Romolo):
  Rooms include private bathroom, kitchen, air conditioning, Wi-Fi connection, TV, safe, and bed/bath linen. Services include 24-hour reception, coin-operated laundry, coffee corner, weekly linen change, biweekly room cleaning, and daily cleaning of common areas.
• Residenza Cascina Moncucco (Via Moncucco 29/31, Milan – MM2 Romolo):
  Located in a restored 18th-century building certified LEED Silver, the residence combines cultural heritage with sustainability. Rooms include private bathroom, mini-fridge, air conditioning, Wi-Fi connection, safe, and linen. Services include 24-hour reception, shared kitchens, coin-operated laundry, coffee corner, weekly linen change, biweekly room cleaning, and daily cleaning of common areas.

Both residences offer safe and inclusive environments, located near the campus and well connected by public transport, making them ideal for visiting scholars and students.

Affordable pricing and conditions
The housing service is provided at reduced rates compared to local market prices. Current tariffs, approved by the IULM Board of Directors on 30 January 2024, are as follows:

• 1 to 6 nights: €50 per person/night
• 7 to 14 nights: €45 per person/night
• 15 to 29 nights: €40 per person/night
• From 30 nights: €35 per person/night

These rates are inclusive of all management costs and services, ensuring affordability and transparency.

Booking process and regulations
Reservations must be requested by the relevant IULM faculty or department at least seven days before the intended stay, via email to the Ufficio Residenze ([email protected]). Confirmation is subject to availability. Payments are made in advance by bank transfer or credit card (if borne by the guest), or directly by IULM (if costs are covered by the university).

Guests are required to respect the Regolamento delle Residenze Universitarie (Santander and Cascina Moncucco), which outlines behavioral norms, safety rules, and community life provisions, ensuring a safe and respectful environment.

Strategic impact
Through the Foresteria Service, IULM guarantees affordable, fully equipped, and well-connected housing to support international exchange, research collaborations, and visiting activities. By offering reduced rates and structured services, the university ensures that economic barriers do not prevent scholars, professionals, and visiting students from joining its academic community.

This initiative contributes directly to the provision of affordable and accessible housing options for members of the university and visiting community, supporting cultural exchange, academic collaboration, and sustainable integration into the city of Milan.

Università IULM provides affordable housing for students, combining university-managed residences with a robust network of housing partners to ensure accessible, safe, and cost-effective accommodation. This multi-layered approach helps mitigate the burden of housing costs and supports sustainable student life in Milan.

University residences and subsidized housing
IULM directly offers student housing in its two university residences, Santander and Cascina Moncucco, equipped with essential amenities such as Wi-Fi, common kitchens, laundry facilities, 24-hour reception, and regular linen and cleaning services. Rental rates are significantly lower than Milan’s average. Moreover, IULM ensures free accommodation for low-income and refugee students, ensuring no one is excluded for financial reasons.

Network of housing partners
To expand options and reach more students, IULM promotes a selected network of housing providers and platforms, making available a variety of housing offers verified and often discounted for the IULM community. These include:

• Milan Housing: a portal tailored to IULM students, offering verified offers, support from check-in to check-out, and emergency assistance.
• Spacest: medium-to-long term furnished rooms and apartments, with verified listings and a guarantee system; IULM students can access a 20% discount via a promotional code.
• Cerco Alloggio: a platform matching student demand and supply; IULM students receive a 10% discount on service fees by presenting their enrollment certification.
• Collegio di Milano: a multi-university residence offering student housing with a cultural program and strong community life, in partnership with Milanese institutions.
• Collegiate: a high-standard student housing provider; IULM students receive a discount of €200 under certain conditions (e.g. booking ≥ 12 months) at the “Milan North” residence.
• Dotstay: platform that proposes up to 5 homes and supports students with a personal assistant (“Angel”) from arrival to check-in; IULM students receive a 10% discount via code IULM10.
• Zappyrent: verified property rentals, with “virtual visits”; IULM students can apply a 25% discount on booking fees using code IULM25.
• Erasmusu: European student housing community platform, offering over 1,900 listings in Milan; students enjoy a 30% discount on commission via code IULM30.
• HousingAnywhere: international booking platform for student housing; IULM students access a 30% discount on the booking fee and priority in listings.
• Italianway: short-to-medium term furnished apartments and homes; IULM students get a 10% discount on stays (1 to 18 months) using code IULM10.
• Residenza Chiaralba Milano: apartments in Via Pomponazzi, with a reduction of 19%–24% off the standard regional rent rate for IULM students, depending on availability.
• Progetto “Prendi in casa uno studente” (MeglioMilano): an intergenerational housing program where students live with elderly homeowners who have spare rooms. Students pay modest expenses and often help with household tasks; this reduces rental burdens and strengthens social inclusion.

IULM also maintains a bacheca alloggi (housing bulletin board) available in the university (in IULM 1, corpo C) and online, where students and private landlords or sublessors can post or consult housing offers.

Institutional collaboration and strategic engagement
To address systemic housing challenges in Milan, IULM engages in periodic meetings with the Municipality of Milan and other universities, advocating for increasing the supply of student residences and improving regulatory frameworks for affordable housing in the city. This strategic dialogue complements IULM’s internal measures and partner network.

Strategic impact
By combining university-managed residences, free housing for vulnerable students, an expanding partner network with verified discounts, and institutional engagement, IULM ensures a comprehensive and scalable housing system for its student body. These efforts provide access to safe, affordable, and inclusive housing, reducing the financial and geographic barriers to education and supporting sustainable student life in urban contexts.

Università IULM prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist access on campus, embedding this policy into its broader commitment to sustainable urban regeneration and low-carbon mobility. These actions are part of a strategic effort to create a car-free campus and to contribute to the transformation of the surrounding Barona district into a safe, inclusive, and accessible area for both the university community and local residents.

Urban regeneration and campus planning
Over the past thirty years, IULM has played a leading role in the regeneration of the Barona district, once a semi-abandoned industrial zone. Through investments in green areas, pedestrian infrastructure, and cultural initiatives, the university has turned its campus and its surroundings into a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable urban environment. This commitment is aligned with the university’s long-term goal of reducing environmental impacts and fostering social well-being.

Pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly campus

• The entire perimeter of the campus and Via Carlo Bo have been made fully pedestrian-friendly, ensuring safe walking routes throughout the area.
• All pedestrian routes provide clear and direct access to building entrances, guaranteeing barrier-free circulation for students, staff, visitors, and residents.
• Cycling and pedestrian routes are connected to public transport nodes, including the Romolo subway and railway station, the Viale Cassala bus stop, and the trolleybus line, reinforcing multimodal access to campus.
• Dedicated bicycle parking facilities and safe pedestrian crossings encourage sustainable mobility and reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Green oases and climate resilience
The pedestrian areas are enriched with green oases, tree-lined spaces, and public seating, offering areas for relaxation, socialization, and cultural exchange. In front of the main university building, two open-air water basins are accessible to the public: they contribute to lowering urban heat during summer months and provide a micro-habitat for local fauna, enhancing biodiversity and climate resilience. Together with the 10,000 m² Silvio F. Baridon Garden, these open spaces form a network of inclusive and sustainable public areas, designed for shared use by the academic community and citizens.

Strategic outcomes
By prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist access, IULM supports environmental sustainability, reduced commuting emissions, and improved urban air quality. These interventions foster healthier lifestyles, strengthen the link between campus and city, and showcase how universities can act as drivers of sustainable urban transformation.

Università IULM works actively with local authorities and stakeholders to address planning issues and development, including ensuring that local residents are able to access affordable housing, embedding these actions in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027 as part of its institutional mission to create a sustainable and inclusive campus integrated with the city.

Long-term commitment to urban regeneration
For over thirty years, IULM has been a central actor in the transformation of the Barona district, once a semi-abandoned industrial area. In partnership with the Municipality of Milan, the university has promoted a large-scale regeneration project that includes:

• the construction of a pedestrian-friendly, car-free campus serving as a cultural and social hub;
• the creation of the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a 10,000 m² public green space with inclusive and recreational facilities;
• the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, now a LEED Silver–certified student residence and cultural hub, combining heritage conservation with sustainability;
• the development of green oases and pedestrian areas, together with public water basins that mitigate heat waves and support urban biodiversity.

These initiatives demonstrate how IULM’s campus has become a laboratory of sustainable urbanism, accessible not only to students and staff but also to the wider community.

Housing and urban planning partnerships
IULM plays an active role in addressing the housing challenge in Milan, collaborating with the Municipality and other universities. Regular strategic meetings with the Mayor of Milan and the Conference of Rectors aim to increase student housing by 10,000 units across the city, while containing rental costs and improving related services such as public transport.
At the same time, IULM has expanded its network of housing partners (Collegiate, Zappyrent, Erasmusu, HousingAnywhere, Milan Housing, MeglioMilano and others), offering discounted and verified accommodation solutions. For low-income and refugee students, housing in IULM’s own residences is provided free of charge, eliminating barriers to access.

Strategic urban revitalization projects
Beyond its own campus, IULM contributes to wider urban revitalization strategies. Through the Fabbrica di Quartiere initiative with the Politecnico di Milano, local authorities and businesses, IULM supports the redevelopment of southeastern districts of Milan, focusing on:

• ecological connectivity and public green spaces,
• cultural and economic vitality,
• inclusive services for residents and students.

These projects are aligned with the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies urban regeneration, sustainability, and the improvement of student housing and services as core institutional goals.

Strategic impact
IULM’s engagement in housing, public space renewal, and collaborative planning with the Municipality of Milan demonstrates how the university is not only a higher education institution but also a driver of sustainable urban transformation. These initiatives directly ensure inclusive access to affordable housing, creating safe and accessible public spaces, and fostering long-term social and ecological well-being in Milan.

Università IULM builds new buildings and renovates its infrastructure to sustainable standards, ensuring that both new construction and heritage restorations are aligned with environmental efficiency and resilience. These commitments are embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which prioritizes the reduction of the campus’s ecological footprint through:

• the extension of photovoltaic coverage on additional buildings, increasing the share of self-produced renewable energy;
• energy efficiency interventions to reduce electricity and gas consumption;
• water-saving technologies and awareness campaigns to promote responsible resource use;

Cascina Moncucco – sustainable heritage restoration
An exemplary project is the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, a 17th-century farmhouse transformed into a student residence and cultural hub. The project achieved LEED Silver certification, reflecting high standards of environmental performance. Specific measures include:

• 50% reduction in potable water consumption through low-flow fixtures;
• a 90 m³ rainwater collection system, which eliminates the use of potable water for irrigation;
• significant energy efficiency upgrades to the building envelope and systems, introduced while preserving historical integrity.

This project illustrates IULM’s ability to combine heritage conservation with sustainable building practices, creating spaces that are both culturally valuable and environmentally responsible.

IULM 8 – future-oriented sustainable development
In line with the Strategic Plan, IULM is planning the construction of IULM 8, a new building designed according to the sustainable standards of the Municipality of Milan. It will feature:

• expanded photovoltaic capacity, increasing renewable energy production;
• intelligent systems for lighting, air conditioning, and space management;
• interventions to reduce energy and gas consumption across operations;
• advanced water-saving systems integrated with awareness campaigns.

Campus-wide outcomes
The university’s efforts are already producing measurable results:

• in 2024 the total electricity consumption of the campus decreased by 9.5% compared to 2023;
• in the same period, gas consumption decreased by 5.2%, despite a colder winter, demonstrating improved energy management and system efficiency;
• with the planned expansion of photovoltaic systems across additional campus buildings, solar energy production is expected to increase by 17%, raising the share of clean, self-produced electricity.

Strategic impact
By embedding sustainability into its strategic governance and delivering projects such as Cascina Moncucco and IULM 8, the university demonstrates a systemic approach to infrastructure. These initiatives not only reduce emissions and resource consumption but also serve as a model for integrating heritage preservation, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

Through these efforts, IULM strengthens its role as a laboratory of sustainable urban development, by creating resilient, efficient, and inclusive urban environments.

Università IULM builds on brownfield sites where possible, prioritizing the regeneration of underutilized and degraded areas in Milan to create sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant urban spaces. This approach reflects the university’s long-term commitment to urban renewal and sustainable development, particularly in the Barona district, where IULM has acted as a driver of transformation over the last three decades.

Urban regeneration of the Barona district
When IULM first established its campus in Barona, the area was a semi-abandoned industrial zone. Through successive redevelopment projects, the university has contributed to turning the district into a safer, greener, and culturally vibrant community. Investments have included new university buildings, pedestrian and cycling routes, green oases, and open cultural spaces accessible to citizens. These initiatives exemplify IULM’s vision of combining academic functions with urban sustainability.

Cascina Moncucco – from abandoned farmhouse to sustainable residence
A flagship example is the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, a 17th-century farmhouse in disrepair that IULM has completely rehabilitated. Now a student residence and cultural hub, the building is LEED Silver certified and integrates energy and water efficiency measures, including low-flow fixtures and a 90 m³ rainwater collection system. This project, supported by the Ministry of Education, the Lombardy Region, and the Municipality of Milan, demonstrates how heritage sites can be repurposed into sustainable infrastructure while serving both students and the local community.

IULM 6 – new development on a brownfield site
Another key initiative is IULM 6, a building developed on a brownfield site to expand the campus with multifunctional and energy-efficient spaces. Designed with sustainable construction materials and systems, IULM 6 reflects the university’s strategy of using underutilized land for low-impact, future-oriented architecture.

Strategic impact
Through the redevelopment of brownfield sites in Barona, IULM has transformed abandoned or degraded spaces into living, functional, and environmentally sustainable facilities. These projects strengthen ecological connectivity, support alternative mobility (with pedestrian-friendly routes and bicycle storage instead of new parking), and enrich the community with accessible green and cultural areas.

By embedding brownfield regeneration into its planning, IULM reinforces its role as a responsible actor in urban sustainability, by converting underused areas into inclusive and resilient spaces that benefit both students and the wider city.