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.

This commitment is embedded in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly recognises the university's eight-building campus as an institutional asset serving both the academic community and the city of Milan, reflecting its broader commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

1. Free public access to university buildings and cultural spaces

Università IULM is committed to ensuring that its campus buildings, cultural facilities, monuments and outdoor spaces are freely accessible to all, including citizens, schools, local communities and visitors.

Located in Milan's Barona district, the IULM campus functions as an open cultural and educational hub, integrating academic activities with public initiatives, exhibitions, cultural events and opportunities for community engagement.

The university actively promotes public access through guided campus tours, enabling visitors to discover its architecture, history, cultural heritage and educational facilities.

These initiatives reflect IULM's commitment to making university infrastructure available beyond the academic community, strengthening its relationship with the city of Milan and contributing to the development of an inclusive, accessible and culturally vibrant urban environment.

2. Public access to events: 209 events and over 35,000 participants in 2025

In 2025, Università IULM hosted 209 major events fully open to the public, attracting a total of 35,146 participants from the wider community.

These figures provide measurable evidence of the university's commitment to opening its buildings and cultural spaces to external audiences.

Throughout the year, IULM welcomed visitors to conferences, exhibitions, artistic performances, cultural festivals, public lectures and community initiatives.

Among the most significant initiatives were:

• IULM for the City 2025, a programme designed to strengthen the university's connection with the wider community through cultural and educational activities.
• MuseoCity 2025, during which IULM organised guided visits, allowing the public to discover the university's artistic and cultural heritage.
• IULM Design Week 2025, highlighting the university's engagement with Milan's cultural and creative ecosystem.
• BookCity Milano 2025, contributing to the city's literary and cultural life through events and opportunities for public participation.
• Milano Arch Week 2025 – Urban Tour of the Romolo Neighbourhood, featuring an urban tour of the Romolo neighbourhood and encouraging exploration of the area's architectural and urban identity.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how IULM regularly opens its buildings and cultural spaces to the wider public, transforming the campus into an active centre for cultural participation and community engagement.

3. Public access to exhibitions and artistic heritage: measurable results in 2025

In addition to its extensive programme of public events, Università IULM provides access to temporary exhibitions and artistic installations, making its cultural facilities available to audiences beyond the university community.

In 2025, three particularly significant exhibitions demonstrated the reach of these initiatives:

The exhibition I sensi del giallo: il corpo del reato tra inganno ed evidenza welcomed 704 visitors, including 310 IULM students and 394 external visitors.

The exhibition Il viaggio dell'anima – Graciela Iturbide attracted 1,326 visitors, demonstrating public interest in the university's cultural and artistic initiatives.

The exhibition Leonardo alla IULM recorded 1,619 visitors, further highlighting the university's ability to attract audiences interested in artistic and cultural heritage.

Together, these three exhibitions attracted 3,649 visitors, demonstrating the contribution of IULM's exhibition spaces to public cultural participation.

These initiatives reinforce the role of university buildings as accessible cultural infrastructures, supporting the dissemination of artistic knowledge and encouraging interaction between the academic community and the wider public.

4. Silvio Federico Baridon Garden: a public green space for the community

A landmark example of IULM's commitment to public access is the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a 10,000-square-metre green space inaugurated and maintained by the university as part of its long-term commitment to urban regeneration in Milan's Barona district.

The garden is freely accessible to all, providing residents, families, children and visitors with an inclusive environment for recreation, social interaction and well-being.

Its facilities include:

• Outdoor workout equipment and a football field.
• An inclusive playground designed to accommodate children with disabilities.
• A dog-friendly area.
• Benches, tables and spaces for relaxation and community gatherings.

The garden is entirely funded by IULM and represents a concrete example of how the university contributes to restoring urban spaces for public use, supporting social inclusion and improving the quality of life in the surrounding neighbourhood.

Beyond the Baridon Garden, the entire IULM campus incorporates accessible green areas, trees, pedestrian pathways, benches and spaces for social interaction, creating welcoming environments for residents and visitors.

These areas strengthen the university's contribution to sustainable urban development by integrating cultural infrastructure with publicly accessible natural spaces.

5. TAM TAM: transforming the campus into an open-air museum

Another central component of IULM's public cultural infrastructure is TAM TAM – Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, the first museum of communication in Italy, developed within the university campus.

Unlike traditional museums, TAM TAM is conceived as a distributed, open-air cultural experience, transforming university spaces into an accessible environment dedicated to the history, evolution and significance of human communication.

The museum includes artistic installations and cultural landmarks, such as works by Ugo Nespolo, the Muro del Cinema, and La Linea del Tempo.

La Linea del Tempo is a cultural pathway comprising 52 stages illustrating fundamental milestones in the history of human communication, from the mythical Tower of Babel to the achievements of the Renaissance.

The installation combines:

• Bilingual explanatory captions.
• Images and immersive scenographic elements.
• Audio guides.
• Educational multimedia content developed with the active involvement of IULM students.

Students contributed to the creation of videos, translations and voiceovers, making the installation both a cultural resource and a participatory educational project.

La Linea del Tempo is freely accessible to individual visitors and school groups, with guided visits available upon reservation.

Supported through the Progetto Inclusione (PNRR, DM 752/2021), the initiative illustrates IULM's commitment to making cultural heritage accessible to diverse audiences while promoting inclusion, education and public engagement.

6. A permanent open-air contemporary art collection

Università IULM has also developed a permanent open-air contemporary art collection, transforming its campus into an accessible cultural environment where artworks are integrated into everyday urban spaces.

Among the most significant installations are:

• Contatti Tenaglia (1970) by Giò Pomodoro, a bronze sculpture inaugurated on campus in the presence of the artist's family.
• Porta d'oro (2009) by Marco Nereo Rotelli.
• Monumento all'Inferno (2018) by Emilio Isgrò.
• Time without end (2021) by MASBEDO.

These artworks are permanently displayed in publicly accessible outdoor areas, allowing visitors and local residents to encounter contemporary art without purchasing tickets or entering a traditional museum.

By integrating artistic heritage into the university's physical environment, IULM strengthens the relationship between culture, architecture and urban regeneration.

The permanent collection complements the university's temporary exhibitions, guided tours and public cultural events, creating a continuous and freely accessible cultural experience.

7. An open campus contributing to sustainable urban communities

Through its commitment to free public access, Università IULM demonstrates that university buildings and cultural spaces can serve a broader social purpose beyond teaching and research.

The combination of 209 public events and 35,146 participants in 2025, accessible exhibitions, guided tours, permanent artistic installations, cultural pathways and the publicly accessible Baridon Garden demonstrates the university's role as an active cultural institution within Milan.

By making its buildings, monuments, artworks and green spaces available to the wider community, Università IULM reinforces its commitment to public access, cultural participation, urban regeneration and sustainable community development.

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.

This commitment aligns with IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly recognises the university's infrastructure as an institutional asset serving both the academic community and the city of Milan (p. 57), reflecting its broader mission to promote social, economic and environmental sustainability.

1. Public access to the University Library

The IULM Library, located in the main IULM 1 building, is open to students, faculty, researchers, staff, and external visitors, ensuring that its educational and cultural resources are accessible to the wider community.

External visitors can register at the Welcome Desk to access reading rooms, consult the library's collections, and benefit from dedicated services.

By welcoming users beyond the university community, IULM promotes inclusive access to knowledge, educational resources, and cultural opportunities, reinforcing the library's role as a public resource within the city of Milan.

2. Access to library collections and publications

The IULM Library provides access to an extensive and continually updated collection of books, journals, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources.

As of 2025, the library holds 285,818 volumes and provides access to 51 electronic databases and journals, which can be consulted through multimedia stations located across the library floors.

The collection includes monographs, academic journals, audiovisual resources, and specialised publications supporting education, research, and cultural enrichment.

Prestigious or non-loanable materials can be consulted in a dedicated consultation room with assistance from library staff.

In 2025, the library acquired 1,262 new volumes, demonstrating IULM's continued investment in maintaining and expanding its bibliographic resources.

3. Lending services and public library usage

The library's lending service is available to both institutional users and external guests, providing access to its collections beyond the university community.

Users can search for publications and access library services through the DIGGER online catalogue, which supports bibliographic searches, reservations, renewals, and interlibrary loan requests.

In 2025, the IULM Library recorded 7,649 loans and consultations, while 139 external users accessed its services.

These figures demonstrate the continued use of university library resources by the wider community, confirming IULM's commitment to providing public access to books, publications, and educational materials.

4. Welcome desk, reference services and accessibility

The Library Welcome and Orientation Desk provides visitors with information about available services and personalised assistance in accessing print and electronic resources.

Librarians also offer a dedicated reference service, available by appointment, to support bibliographic research and help users navigate academic databases, journals, catalogues, and institutional repositories.

Particular attention is given to ensuring accessibility for visitors with limited mobility, with designated access routes and information about architectural features that facilitate the use of library facilities.

Through these services, IULM seeks to ensure that its library is an inclusive and welcoming environment, where external visitors can access knowledge and cultural resources with appropriate support.

5. Bookcrossing: promoting free book sharing and community engagement

In addition to its traditional library services, Università IULM promotes initiatives that encourage the free circulation of books and the sharing of knowledge within the university and the wider community.

A significant example is the IULM Bookcrossing initiative, which encourages the exchange and reuse of books, fostering a culture of reading, sharing, and sustainable consumption.

By promoting the circulation of books beyond traditional lending services, the initiative complements the university library's mission of making literature and cultural resources more accessible.

Bookcrossing also contributes to community engagement and environmental sustainability, encouraging the reuse of existing publications and extending their useful life.

6. Apeiron: open access to academic research

Università IULM further promotes public access to knowledge through Apeiron – Institutional Repository, its open-access digital repository.

Apeiron allows the public to freely consult research outputs produced by the university since 2000, making academic publications and scholarly knowledge accessible online without institutional membership requirements.

By providing unrestricted access to its research outputs, IULM supports the principles of open science, knowledge dissemination, and public access to academic publications.

The repository complements the physical library's services by extending access to educational and research resources beyond the university campus.

7. Commitment to inclusive access to knowledge

Through its publicly accessible library, extensive bibliographic collections, lending and reference services, Bookcrossing initiative, and open-access institutional repository, Università IULM demonstrates its commitment to making books, publications, and educational resources available to the wider community.

With 285,818 volumes, 51 electronic databases and journals, 7,649 loans and consultations, and 139 external users in 2025, the IULM Library represents an important educational and cultural resource serving both the university and the city of Milan.

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.

This commitment is embedded in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly recognises the university's campus as an institutional asset serving both the academic community and the city of Milan (p. 57), reflecting its broader commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

1. Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione: a permanent and freely accessible cultural infrastructure

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.

Unlike traditional museums, the Museo Diffuso integrates cultural heritage directly into the university's architectural and urban environment, transforming the campus into a living museum accessible to students, citizens, schools and visitors.

More recently, the project expanded with La Linea del Tempo, a cultural pathway comprising 52 stages tracing the history of human communication, from ancient myths to the Renaissance.

This immersive and bilingual exhibition includes explanatory captions, images, scenographic installations and audiovisual content developed in collaboration with IULM students, who contributed to translations, video production and voiceovers.

La Linea del Tempo is freely accessible to individual visitors and school groups, with guided visits available upon reservation.

The initiative was supported through the Progetto Inclusione (PNRR, DM 752/2021), demonstrating IULM's commitment to developing cultural infrastructures that combine education, public accessibility and community engagement.

By transforming its campus into a permanent exhibition environment, IULM ensures that cultural experiences are not confined to traditional museums but become an integral part of everyday urban life.

2. A permanent open-air contemporary art collection

Complementing the Museo Diffuso, IULM has developed a permanent open-air contemporary art collection across its campus, transforming the university into a public sculpture park.

The collection includes works by internationally recognised artists, such as:

• Contatti Tenaglia (1970) by Giò Pomodoro, a bronze sculpture permanently displayed on campus.
• Porta d'oro (2009) by Marco Nereo Rotelli.
• Monumento all'Inferno (2018) by Emilio Isgrò.
• Time without end (2021) by MASBEDO.

These artworks are freely accessible to visitors and permanently displayed in the university's outdoor spaces, allowing members of the public to experience contemporary art without purchasing tickets or accessing a conventional museum.

The collection strengthens the relationship between artistic heritage, architecture and urban regeneration, contributing to the idea of the IULM campus as a territory of beauty and dialogue with the city.

By integrating works of art into publicly accessible spaces, the university promotes cultural participation and encourages interaction between the academic community and the wider public.

3. Temporary exhibitions in 2025: public access and measurable cultural participation

In addition to its permanent cultural collections, Università IULM regularly organises temporary exhibitions open to the public, providing opportunities to engage with photography, visual arts, cultural heritage and contemporary creative expression.

In 2025, three significant exhibitions demonstrated the university's commitment to making artistic and cultural experiences accessible to the wider community.

Il viaggio dell'anima – Graciela Iturbide

Dedicated to the work of internationally renowned Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide, this exhibition offered visitors an opportunity to explore photographic narratives of identity, culture and human experience.

The exhibition attracted 1,326 visitors, demonstrating public interest in IULM's cultural programme.

I sensi del giallo: il corpo del reato tra inganno ed evidenza

This exhibition explored the relationship between perception, interpretation and representation through the cultural language of mystery and crime narratives.

It welcomed 704 visitors, including 310 IULM students and 394 external visitors.

The participation of external visitors provides particularly significant evidence of the university's ability to attract audiences beyond its academic community.

Leonardo alla IULM

Dedicated to the cultural and artistic legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, this initiative provided visitors with an opportunity to engage with one of the most influential figures in the history of art and innovation.

The exhibition recorded 1,619 visitors, representing the highest attendance among the three initiatives.

Overall, these three exhibitions welcomed 3,649 visitors in 2025, demonstrating the university's contribution to public access to cultural heritage and artistic experiences.

Through these initiatives, IULM makes its exhibition spaces available to the wider community, supporting cultural participation, lifelong learning and the dissemination of artistic knowledge.

4. MuseoCity 2025: opening the university’s cultural heritage to the public

Università IULM further promotes public access to its artistic and cultural heritage by participating in major city-wide cultural initiatives.

A particularly significant example is MuseoCity 2025, an initiative dedicated to promoting access to museums, cultural institutions and artistic collections across Milan.

As part of the programme, IULM organised guided visits open to the public, offering participants the opportunity to discover the university's artistic installations, cultural spaces and permanent collections.

The initiative encouraged visitors to explore IULM's campus as a cultural destination, highlighting the presence of artworks and exhibition spaces within the university environment.

By participating in MuseoCity, IULM strengthened its integration into Milan's cultural network and demonstrated its commitment to making university heritage accessible to external audiences through dedicated public initiatives.

5. Milano Arch Week 2025: connecting cultural heritage and urban identity

IULM's commitment to public cultural engagement extends beyond its campus through initiatives that encourage exploration of the surrounding urban environment.

During Milano Arch Week 2025, the university promoted an urban tour of the Romolo neighbourhood, encouraging participants to discover the area's architectural identity, urban development and cultural characteristics.

The initiative provided an opportunity to explore the relationship between the university and its surrounding neighbourhood, promoting awareness of the cultural significance of urban spaces.

By encouraging public engagement with the city's architectural and cultural landscape, IULM contributes to the recognition, appreciation and accessibility of local urban heritage.

This initiative complements the university's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions by extending cultural experiences into the wider urban environment.

6. Easy MiG: promoting inclusive access to museum collections

Beyond providing physical access to museums and exhibitions, Università IULM is committed to reducing barriers to cultural participation and making museum experiences more inclusive.

A particularly significant initiative is Easy MiG, a project developed in collaboration with MUDEC – Museo delle Culture di Milano.

The initiative focuses on improving the accessibility of museum content and cultural experiences, helping make collections more understandable and engaging for diverse audiences.

Through its contribution to the project, IULM supports the development of inclusive approaches to museum communication and cultural interpretation, promoting access to artistic and cultural heritage for visitors with different needs and backgrounds.

Easy MiG demonstrates that IULM's commitment to cultural accessibility extends beyond the physical availability of exhibition spaces to include the accessibility of information, interpretation and visitor experiences.

By combining expertise in communication, cultural heritage and inclusive practices, the university contributes to reducing barriers that may prevent individuals from fully participating in museum activities.

7. Public cultural engagement and the university’s role in Milan

Università IULM's commitment to public access to museums and artistic heritage forms part of its broader mission to promote cultural participation and community engagement.

A significant example is IULM Design Week 2025, through which the university contributed to Milan's cultural and creative landscape, offering opportunities for public engagement with design, artistic expression and contemporary creativity.

By participating in this major city-wide cultural initiative, IULM strengthens the connection between its exhibition activities and Milan's wider artistic community, reinforcing the university's role as an accessible cultural institution that promotes dialogue between academic knowledge, creativity and the public.

8. Commitment to accessible cultural heritage and sustainable communities

Through its permanent Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, open-air contemporary art collection, temporary exhibitions, participation in city-wide cultural programmes and projects promoting inclusive museum experiences, Università IULM demonstrates its commitment to providing public access to museums, galleries, works of art, cultural artefacts and exhibition spaces.

The 3,649 visitors recorded across three major exhibitions in 2025, together with the university's extensive programme of public cultural events, provide measurable evidence of its contribution to cultural participation.

Initiatives such as MuseoCity and Milano Arch Week strengthen connections between the university and the city's cultural heritage, while Easy MiG demonstrates IULM's commitment to making cultural experiences accessible to diverse audiences.

By combining free access to permanent artistic collections, public exhibitions, inclusive cultural communication and community engagement, Università IULM contributes directly to SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, promoting accessible cultural infrastructure, cultural heritage appreciation and inclusive participation in the artistic life of Milan.

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.

This commitment aligns with IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly recognises the university's campus as an institutional asset serving both the academic community and the city of Milan, reflecting its broader commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

1. Silvio Federico Baridon Garden: a public green space for the community

A flagship initiative is the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a 10,000-square-metre 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 a range of recreational and inclusive facilities, including:

• Outdoor workout equipment.
• A synthetic-turf football field.
• A playground designed to accommodate children with disabilities.
• A designated dog area.
• Shaded seating areas equipped with benches and tables.

By opening this space to all citizens, IULM has transformed a formerly underused site into a community asset that promotes social inclusion, physical activity, well-being and environmental sustainability.

The Baridon Garden represents a concrete example of how university-owned green infrastructure can benefit the wider urban community, providing opportunities for recreation and social interaction beyond the university's academic activities.

2. Accessible green spaces across the IULM Campus

In addition to the Baridon Garden, the 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.

The university's outdoor spaces are designed to encourage pedestrian circulation, relaxation and informal gatherings, contributing to the creation of a welcoming and accessible urban environment.

By incorporating publicly accessible green areas into its campus, IULM strengthens the connection between university infrastructure and the surrounding neighbourhood, making outdoor spaces available for shared use.

3. Cultural events and concerts in public outdoor spaces

Università IULM further promotes the use of its outdoor spaces by organising cultural events, concerts and community initiatives that encourage public participation.

A significant example is the concert by renowned Italian jazz pianist Danilo Rea, demonstrating how the university's spaces can become venues for artistic expression and cultural engagement.

By hosting cultural initiatives in its open spaces, IULM encourages the wider community to experience the campus not only as an educational institution but also as a place for cultural participation, social interaction and shared experiences.

These activities complement the university's commitment to maintaining publicly accessible outdoor areas and reinforce their role as active community spaces.

4. Sport, recreation and community well-being: the Role of IULM Sport

The Baridon Garden and the surrounding university spaces also play an important role in promoting physical activity, sport and community well-being.

The garden overlooks IULM Sport, a dedicated university facility that contributes to the development of a campus environment focused on healthy lifestyles, physical activity and social participation.

Throughout the year, IULM organises sporting activities and initiatives, including its Sports Festival, encouraging participation in recreational and sporting experiences.

The proximity between IULM Sport and the Baridon Garden creates opportunities to connect indoor sporting facilities with freely accessible outdoor recreational spaces, encouraging an integrated approach to physical activity and well-being.

The garden's outdoor workout equipment, football field and accessible recreational facilities further support opportunities for physical activity among students, residents and visitors.

Through these initiatives, IULM promotes the use of its green spaces as inclusive environments for recreation, social interaction and active lifestyles, strengthening the relationship between the university and the surrounding community.

5. Urban biodiversity and climate resilience

Directly in front of the main university building, two open-air water basins contribute to the environmental quality of the campus.

These features can help moderate local temperatures during warmer periods through evaporative cooling, while also providing potential opportunities for urban wildlife.

Alongside its green spaces, trees and landscaped areas, the basins contribute to the university's broader efforts to integrate environmental considerations into its campus infrastructure.

IULM is committed to protecting and fostering biodiversity within its green areas through landscape management and maintenance practices.

By integrating green infrastructure, open spaces and water features, the university contributes to a campus environment that supports urban ecological resilience and community well-being.

6. Urban regeneration and community development in the Barona District

IULM's commitment to public green spaces is closely connected to its long-term contribution to the urban regeneration of Milan's Barona district.

Over the past thirty years, the university has helped transform a formerly semi-abandoned industrial area into a more vibrant urban environment through investment in educational infrastructure, green pedestrian areas and spaces for cultural and social activities.

The creation of the Baridon Garden represents a particularly significant contribution to this process, making a substantial green area available to the surrounding community.

The university's approach reflects the principles outlined in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which recognises IULM's campus as an institutional asset serving both the academic community and the city of Milan (p. 57), within a broader commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

By combining university infrastructure with publicly accessible green spaces, IULM demonstrates how higher education institutions can contribute to sustainable urban development, social inclusion and neighbourhood regeneration.

7. Commitment to accessible and inclusive public spaces

Through the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, its publicly accessible campus green areas, cultural initiatives, sporting activities and commitment to urban regeneration, Università IULM demonstrates its contribution to the creation of inclusive and sustainable public spaces.

The 10,000-square-metre Baridon Garden, together with the university's pedestrian areas, landscaped courtyards and outdoor recreational facilities, provides opportunities for relaxation, physical activity and community engagement.

Cultural events such as the Danilo Rea concert, together with sporting initiatives and the presence of IULM Sport, further demonstrate the potential of these spaces to serve as active centres for cultural participation, recreation and well-being.

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.

This commitment is reflected in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which recognises the university's responsibility to contribute to society through the dissemination of knowledge, cultural engagement and initiatives serving the wider community. The Plan provides an institutional framework for IULM's contribution to Milan's cultural and creative life.

1. Performing Arts – Theatre and Music

Università IULM actively supports performing arts through its university theatre centre, choir and musical initiatives, encouraging participation in artistic activities and making performances accessible to audiences beyond the academic community.

The Centro Universitario Teatrale (CUT) regularly organises theatre workshops, masterclasses and performances involving students, staff and the general public.

These activities promote artistic engagement and provide opportunities to experience contemporary theatre, encouraging dialogue between the university and the wider cultural community.

In 2025, the university theatre centre further demonstrated its contribution to the performing arts through its performance at the Greek Theatre of Palazzolo Acreide.

This initiative illustrates how IULM's theatrical activities extend beyond the university campus, contributing to the preservation and contemporary interpretation of theatrical traditions.

The IULM Choir, founded in 2019 and composed of faculty members, students, alumni and staff, also contributes to the cultural life of the city through regular performances and public concerts.

A significant example from 2025 is The Sound of Resilience, demonstrating the choir's continued artistic activity and its role in bringing together different members of the university community through music.

The university also promotes musical culture through concerts and performances featuring established artists.

Examples include the concert by jazz pianist Danilo Rea and the concert-lecture featuring singer-songwriter Pippo Pollina.

These initiatives enrich Milan's cultural landscape and demonstrate IULM's commitment to providing opportunities for artistic appreciation, musical education and community participation.

2. Cinema and audiovisual arts

Cinema represents another strategic pillar of IULM's contribution to the arts and creative industries.

In June 2024, the university inaugurated the new headquarters of IULMovie Lab, an incubator and production centre dedicated to innovative audiovisual projects.

IULMovie Lab supports student creativity and collaborates on national and international projects, contributing to the development of the audiovisual sector and creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers.

Alongside IULMovie Lab, the university launched IULM Play, a digital platform freely accessible to the public, serving as both an archive and a streaming channel for audiovisual content produced at the university.

The platform hosts over 200 videos, including institutional events, masterclasses, theatre performances and original student productions, and is regularly updated with new content.

By making audiovisual productions available online, IULM extends public access to artistic and cultural content beyond the physical campus.

The university also actively participates in national and international film festivals, supporting the development and dissemination of audiovisual culture.

Each year, IULM students participate in major international cultural events, including the Venice International Film Festival, contributing to screenings, critical discussions and media projects.

In 2025, this commitment continued through Finestra sul Lido, an initiative involving IULM students in activities connected with the Venice film festival.

Further examples of IULM's contribution to film culture include its participation in the Milano Film Fest and the Sognielettrici 2025 festival, dedicated to cinematic and audiovisual creativity.

These initiatives strengthen the university's relationship with the film industry while promoting artistic expression, cultural exchange and opportunities for public engagement.

3. Audiovisual creativity and international cultural initiatives

Università IULM's contribution to the arts also extends to audiovisual storytelling developed in collaboration with international organisations and cultural initiatives.

A particularly significant example from 2025 is the presentation of the trailer for the World Food Forum 2025.

The initiative highlights IULM's involvement in audiovisual communication connected with an international event addressing food systems and global challenges.

By contributing to the creation and presentation of audiovisual content for an international audience, IULM demonstrates how creative production can support cultural communication and engagement with issues of global significance.

Such initiatives complement the university's film and audiovisual activities, connecting artistic creativity with international cooperation and public communication.

4. Radio and creative communication

Through Radio IULM, the university engages the local community in cultural and creative discussions.

The radio station produces programmes covering music, literature, cinema, sustainability and social issues, with content freely accessible online.

Radio IULM provides students and young professionals with opportunities to experiment with broadcasting, storytelling and creative communication while ensuring that cultural content can reach audiences beyond the university.

In 2025, initiatives such as Radio IULM Incontra further demonstrated the station's role in connecting the university with cultural and creative professionals.

Through its broadcasting activities and public initiatives, Radio IULM contributes to the dissemination of artistic and cultural content and supports the development of emerging creative talent.

5. Fashion as an emerging area of artistic and cultural engagement

A significant new development in IULM's cultural activities is the growing role of fashion as a field of artistic expression, creativity and cultural production.

Building on its expertise in communication, design and the creative industries, the university has recently expanded its engagement with the fashion sector through educational initiatives, encounters with designers and cultural events.

This emerging area complements IULM's established activities in theatre, music, cinema and audiovisual production, strengthening its contribution to Milan's internationally recognised fashion and design ecosystem.

In 2025, several initiatives demonstrated this development.

IULM Fashion Week 2025

The university organised IULM Fashion Week 2025, a programme connecting fashion and cinema and exploring their relationship as forms of artistic and cultural expression.

The initiative illustrates IULM's growing commitment to fashion as a creative discipline, encouraging dialogue between different artistic sectors.

Encounters with international fashion designers

IULM hosted an event featuring Viktor & Rolf, internationally recognised for their distinctive approach to fashion design and artistic experimentation.

The university also organised an encounter with Marco De Vincenzo, Creative Director of Etro, providing an opportunity to explore the creative processes, artistic influences and cultural dimensions of contemporary fashion.

These initiatives demonstrate IULM's ability to bring leading figures from the fashion industry into the university's cultural environment.

Fashion culture, heritage and creative industries

Additional initiatives included a series of meetings dedicated to the fashion distribution chain, exploring the relationship between fashion, production and contemporary society.

The university also promoted FashionTech and innovation, connecting fashion with emerging technologies and new forms of creative entrepreneurship.

Together, these activities demonstrate how fashion is becoming an increasingly important component of IULM's contribution to the arts and cultural industries.

By creating opportunities for engagement with fashion designers, creative professionals and contemporary artistic practices, the university contributes to the cultural vitality of Milan and supports the development of new forms of creative expression.

6. Innovation in cultural heritage interpretation

IULM's contribution to local arts and culture also includes research and public initiatives exploring innovative ways to interpret and communicate cultural heritage.

A significant example is the initiative dedicated to artificial intelligence and the interpretation of cultural heritage.

The initiative explores the relationship between emerging technologies and cultural heritage, highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence to support new approaches to cultural interpretation and communication.

By connecting technological innovation with artistic and cultural knowledge, IULM contributes to the development of contemporary approaches to heritage appreciation and dissemination.

These activities reflect the university's interdisciplinary approach, combining expertise in communication, digital technologies and cultural studies to strengthen the relationship between cultural heritage and society.

7. Commitment to public access to the arts and cultural participation

Through its theatre centre, choir, musical performances, cinema and audiovisual initiatives, radio activities and emerging engagement with fashion, Università IULM actively contributes to the cultural and creative life of Milan.

Its established initiatives, including the Centro Universitario Teatrale, IULM Choir, IULMovie Lab, IULM Play and Radio IULM, provide opportunities for artistic expression, cultural participation and the dissemination of creative content.

The university's growing engagement with fashion, design and cultural heritage innovation further demonstrates its commitment to expanding the range of artistic disciplines represented in its cultural activities.

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

This commitment aligns with IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the dissemination and enhancement of knowledge as central components of the university's mission and emphasises its responsibility to contribute to society through research, education and cultural engagement.

1. Preserving local cultural traditions: Sanremo IULM Night

Università IULM contributes to the appreciation and transmission of Italian popular culture through initiatives dedicated to music, collective memory and contemporary cultural traditions.

A significant example is Sanremo IULM Night, an initiative connected with the Festival di Sanremo, one of Italy's most recognisable cultural traditions.

The Sanremo Festival represents an important expression of Italian musical heritage, bringing together generations through songs, performances and shared cultural experiences.

Through Sanremo IULM Night, the university encourages engagement with this tradition, contributing to the transmission of Italian popular music culture among younger generations.

The initiative illustrates how contemporary cultural events can contribute to the continuity of shared traditions and collective cultural identity.

By encouraging participation in and reflection on Italian musical traditions, IULM supports the appreciation of cultural expressions that form part of the country's contemporary intangible heritage.

2. Preserving cinematic heritage and collective memory: Venice International Film Festival 2025

Cinema plays a central role in the preservation and transmission of cultural memory, documenting social transformations, artistic expressions and the evolution of collective identities.

Università IULM contributes to this field through its involvement in major national and international film festivals.

In 2025, IULM students participated in the Giornate degli Autori at the Venice International Film Festival through the Finestra sul Lido initiative.

The project provides opportunities for students to engage with contemporary cinema through observation, critical analysis and cultural communication.

By encouraging the documentation, interpretation and discussion of cinematic works, the initiative contributes to the transmission of audiovisual culture and the development of professional skills related to the preservation and dissemination of cinematic heritage.

This engagement strengthens IULM's connection with the international film community and supports the role of cinema as a medium through which societies record and interpret their cultural experiences.

3. Artificial Intelligence and innovative cultural heritage interpretation

Università IULM also contributes to the development of innovative approaches to cultural heritage preservation through research and initiatives exploring the application of digital technologies.

A significant example is the initiative dedicated to artificial intelligence and the interpretation of cultural heritage.

The initiative explores how artificial intelligence can support new methods of interpreting, communicating and enhancing cultural heritage.

Digital technologies offer opportunities to improve the documentation and dissemination of cultural knowledge, making historical narratives and cultural expressions more accessible to diverse audiences.

By connecting expertise in communication, artificial intelligence and heritage studies, IULM contributes to the development of innovative approaches to cultural interpretation.

These activities demonstrate the university's commitment to exploring how technological innovation can support the transmission of cultural knowledge and the appreciation of heritage across generations.

4. Cultural heritage research and community engagement in Peru

Università IULM's commitment to cultural heritage extends beyond Italy through research and international initiatives.

An example is IULM in Peru, which highlights the university's engagement with the cultural and historical heritage of Peru.

Through international research and cultural initiatives, IULM contributes to the study and appreciation of heritage in collaboration with local contexts.

Such activities provide opportunities to investigate the relationship between archaeological evidence, historical knowledge and the cultural identities of communities.

The university's international engagement reinforces its commitment to promoting intercultural dialogue and contributing to the preservation and dissemination of cultural knowledge.

5. PAITIO: research and cultural heritage preservation

Another initiative contributing to IULM's engagement with cultural heritage is PAITIO.

The project forms part of the university's activities dedicated to the study, interpretation and enhancement of cultural heritage.

Through research and the dissemination of knowledge, initiatives such as PAITIO contribute to the understanding of historical and cultural contexts and support the transmission of heritage-related knowledge.

They also demonstrate IULM's commitment to connecting academic expertise with broader cultural and societal interests.

6. Underwater archaeology and maritime cultural heritage

Università IULM is also engaged in underwater archaeological projects that contribute to the documentation and preservation of historical maritime environments.

At  Castel dell'Ovo in Naples, archaeological investigations have contributed to the identification and study of ancient port infrastructure associated with Parthenope.

These discoveries provide valuable evidence of historical maritime activities and cultural exchanges between Mediterranean communities.

At the Castle of Baia, IULM researchers collaborate with the Parco Archeologico dei Campi Flegrei and the Italian Ministry of Culture to investigate submerged archaeological structures and their surrounding environment.

Although these projects primarily concern tangible archaeological heritage, they also contribute to the reconstruction of historical practices, maritime knowledge and cultural relationships associated with the Mediterranean.

By documenting archaeological evidence and interpreting its historical significance, IULM supports the preservation and transmission of knowledge about maritime societies and their cultural traditions.

7. Training future professionals in cultural heritage preservation

A fundamental component of IULM's long-term contribution to cultural heritage is its commitment to training professionals equipped to document, interpret, preserve and promote cultural expressions and traditions.

Through its undergraduate, postgraduate and specialised programmes, IULM develops expertise in the arts, cultural management, heritage interpretation, communication, audiovisual production and creative industries.

These programmes contribute to the development of professional skills that can support the preservation and transmission of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

Undergraduate Degree Programmes

IULM offers several undergraduate programmes relevant to the arts, cultural heritage and creative industries:

• Arts and Cultural Events – Arti ed eventi culturali, preparing students to engage with artistic production, cultural events and the communication and promotion of cultural heritage.
• Fashion and Creative Industries – Moda e industrie creative, developing expertise in fashion and creative industries, including the cultural significance of design, craftsmanship and fashion traditions.
• Tourism, Management and Culture – Turismo, management e cultura, providing knowledge and skills relevant to the sustainable development, interpretation and promotion of cultural destinations and local heritage.

Master's Degree Programmes

At postgraduate level, IULM offers programmes that further develop expertise in artistic heritage and creative industries:

• Art, Valorisation and Market – Dual Degree, focusing on the management, interpretation and promotion of artistic heritage.
• Fashion Communication and Luxury Strategies, developing expertise in fashion communication and the cultural narratives associated with fashion, design and luxury.

University Master's Programmes

IULM also offers specialised postgraduate education in fields closely connected with cultural documentation, creative production and heritage management:

• The Art of Storytelling: Literature, Cinema and Television – Arti del Racconto, supporting the development of storytelling and audiovisual skills relevant to documenting cultural narratives and collective memory.
• Management of Made in Italy: Fashion, Design and Luxury – Management del Made in Italy, contributing to the understanding and promotion of Italian creative traditions and cultural identity.
• Management of Artistic and Cultural Resources – Management delle Risorse Artistiche e Culturali, preparing professionals for the management and enhancement of artistic and cultural resources.
• Music Publishing and Production – Editoria e Produzione Musicale, providing expertise in music production and publishing, relevant to the documentation, dissemination and preservation of musical expressions.

Specialised Master's Programmes

The university also offers Contemporary Museology and Museum Communication (Online), which focuses on contemporary approaches to museum communication, cultural interpretation and the relationship between heritage institutions and their audiences.

By integrating education in cultural management, creative production, heritage interpretation and digital communication, these programmes contribute to developing a new generation of professionals capable of supporting the recording, preservation and transmission of cultural heritage.

8. Research supporting cultural heritage and knowledge preservation

Alongside its educational programmes, Università IULM contributes to cultural heritage preservation through dedicated research projects.

An additional example is the research project coordinated by De Carlo, included among the university's competitive and commissioned research activities.

The project further illustrates IULM's commitment to applying academic research to the study and enhancement of cultural resources.

Through research activities, collaboration with external organisations and the development of specialised knowledge, the university supports the production and dissemination of expertise relevant to cultural heritage.

These activities complement IULM's educational programmes and contribute to the university's broader role in promoting the understanding and preservation of cultural knowledge.

9. Preserving cultural memory through the Museum of Communication and Permanent Artworks

Università IULM contributes to the preservation and transmission of cultural knowledge through its permanent artistic installations, public artworks and Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, which transform the university campus into an accessible environment for cultural education and engagement.

Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione – TAM TAM

The  Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione (TAM TAM) is a permanent open-air museum dedicated to the history and evolution of communication.

Through installations and interpretative content distributed across the university campus, the museum documents and communicates the development of human communication, encouraging visitors to explore its cultural, technological and social significance.

By making this knowledge accessible to students, residents and visitors, IULM contributes to the preservation and intergenerational transmission of communication-related cultural knowledge.

La Linea del Tempo: Preserving the History of Communication

Another significant initiative is  La Linea del Tempo, a permanent installation presenting 52 stages in the history of communication.

The project provides an accessible narrative of the evolution of communication across different historical periods, documenting developments that have shaped human societies and cultural identities.

Through interpretative materials and educational content, the installation supports the documentation and dissemination of historical knowledge, making the history of communication accessible beyond traditional academic settings.

Permanent contemporary artworks on campus

IULM also preserves and promotes cultural knowledge through a permanent collection of contemporary artworks displayed across its campus.

Among the most significant installations are:

●        Giò Pomodoro – Contatti Tenaglia (1970), a sculptural work contributing to the university's artistic heritage.

●        Marco Nereo Rotelli – Porta d'oro (2009), an installation connecting contemporary artistic expression with cultural and symbolic communication.

●        Emilio Isgrò – Monumento all'Inferno (2018), a work establishing a dialogue between contemporary art and Italy's literary heritage, particularly Dante's Divine Comedy.

●        MASBEDO – Time without end (2021), a contemporary artwork exploring artistic expression through audiovisual and multimedia languages.

These permanent artworks contribute to the preservation and dissemination of contemporary artistic expressions, providing opportunities for visitors to engage with the cultural narratives, artistic traditions and symbolic meanings represented by the installations.

Connecting tangible artworks with intangible cultural heritage

Although the artworks themselves constitute tangible cultural assets, their interpretation and public presentation contribute to the transmission of intangible cultural knowledge, including artistic traditions, literary references, historical narratives and collective memory.

Through the Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione, La Linea del Tempo and its permanent contemporary art collection, IULM creates opportunities for the public to engage with the cultural knowledge and artistic expressions that form part of society's shared heritage.

These initiatives complement the university's research, educational programmes and cultural activities, reinforcing its commitment to preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge across generations.

10. Commitment to recording and preserving intangible cultural heritage

Through its research projects, cultural initiatives, artistic installations, international collaborations and specialised educational programmes, Università IULM demonstrates its commitment to the documentation, preservation, interpretation and transmission of cultural heritage and collective memory.

Initiatives such as Sanremo IULM Night and Finestra sul Lido 2025 contribute to the appreciation and transmission of Italian musical and cinematic traditions, while projects exploring artificial intelligence and cultural heritage interpretation demonstrate the university's commitment to developing innovative approaches to safeguarding and communicating cultural knowledge.

IULM's international research activities, including its projects in Peru, PAITIO and its underwater archaeological investigations, contribute to documenting historical contexts and reconstructing the knowledge, traditions and cultural practices associated with past societies.

Furthermore, the Museo Diffuso della Comunicazione (TAM TAM), La Linea del Tempo, which documents 52 milestones in the history of communication, and the university's permanent collection of contemporary artworks contribute to preserving and transmitting artistic expressions, historical narratives, literary traditions and collective cultural memory. By making these cultural resources accessible to the wider community, IULM promotes public engagement with the knowledge and traditions that shape cultural identity.

Alongside these initiatives, IULM's extensive educational offering in arts, cultural heritage management, fashion, cinema, music, tourism and museology supports the development of future professionals equipped to record, preserve, interpret and promote cultural heritage, ensuring the continuity and transmission of cultural knowledge across generations.

Università IULM measures, monitors, and sets targets for more sustainable commuting, aligning with its Strategic Plan and sustainability commitments.

Within its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, IULM identifies reducing the environmental impact of its campus as a strategic objective. The Plan explicitly includes the development and implementation of the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL), the university's sustainable commuting plan, alongside measures to improve energy efficiency and expand renewable energy production. The implementation of the PSCL is therefore embedded in IULM's institutional strategy, with the adoption and implementation of its actions identified among the university's performance targets.

1. Mobility Manager and sustainable commuting governance

Università IULM has appointed a dedicated Mobility Manager, establishing a clear institutional responsibility for the coordination, monitoring and development of sustainable commuting policies.

The Mobility Manager plays a central role in integrating mobility considerations into university planning and coordinating initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of journeys to and from campus.

In particular, the Mobility Manager supports:

• The development and implementation of the PSCL, ensuring that sustainable commuting is addressed through a structured institutional planning process.
• The collection and analysis of mobility data, including commuting habits, transport preferences and opportunities to encourage more sustainable travel choices.
• Engagement with the university community, involving students, academic staff and administrative personnel in mobility-related assessments and initiatives.
• The identification and promotion of sustainable transport solutions, including public transport, shared mobility and alternatives to private car use.
• The monitoring of mobility needs and evaluation of potential improvements, supporting the progressive development of the university's sustainable commuting strategy.

The appointment of the Mobility Manager demonstrates that sustainable mobility is not limited to individual incentives or isolated initiatives but is addressed through a dedicated governance structure.

2. The Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL): measurement, monitoring and targets

A central component of IULM's sustainable commuting strategy is its Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL), developed to provide an evidence-based framework for understanding commuting patterns and identifying opportunities to reduce their environmental impact.

The PSCL process includes a structured assessment of how members of the university community travel to campus. It considers different categories of users, including students, academic and research staff, and technical-administrative personnel. As part of this process, IULM conducted a dedicated mobility survey to collect information on commuting behaviour, including the transport modes used, travel frequency, journey characteristics and perceptions of alternative transport options. The survey provides a baseline for analysing mobility patterns and supporting the development of targeted interventions. The assessment demonstrates the university's systematic approach to collecting and analysing commuting data.The analysis examined individual transport choices and combinations of different modes, allowing the university to assess the role of public transport, private vehicles, walking, cycling and intermodal journeys.

The PSCL provides a framework for monitoring commuting patterns over time and assessing the effectiveness of sustainable mobility measures. Its overall objectives include encouraging a progressive shift towards public transport, shared mobility and active travel, while reducing reliance on private vehicles and the environmental impact of commuting. The plan also supports the identification of practical improvements to accessibility, transport options and the commuting experience of the university community.

Through this structured approach, IULM connects data collection, analysis, planning and the evaluation of potential interventions, establishing a basis for the continuous improvement of its sustainable commuting policies.

3. Agreements, partnerships and sustainable mobility services for students

Alongside its institutional mobility planning, Università IULM has established several agreements and partnerships for students to encourage the use of public transport, shared mobility and alternatives to private vehicles. These initiatives aim to make sustainable transport options more accessible and affordable, supporting students in their daily journeys to and from campus.

IULM Life – Free bicycle-sharing service

As part of the IULM Life initiative, Università IULM introduced a free bicycle-sharing service, further strengthening its commitment to sustainable commuting and active mobility. The service is available to students, academic staff and university employees holding an IULM Sport Card, encouraging cycling as an accessible, zero-emission alternative for short-distance journeys.

This university-led initiative complements the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL) by providing a practical solution to encourage sustainable commuting and reduce reliance on motorised transport.

Agreements with transport and shared mobility providers

IULM has also established partnerships with several transport operators to encourage more sustainable travel choices:

• Trenitalia: Through the Welfare PLUS 10% programme, students benefit from a 10% discount on eligible rail tickets, encouraging train travel as an alternative to private vehicles.
• Wayla: A 10% discount on app-based urban mobility services, supporting flexible transport options.
• Pikyrent: A 50% discount on vehicle unlocking fees and 30% on rental, reservation and parking charges for shared scooters and microcars.
• Drivalia E+Share: Preferential rates for 100% electric car-sharing services, promoting lower-emission mobility.
• Enjoy: Discounted vehicle-sharing rates, providing an alternative to individual car ownership.

Through these partnerships and its free bicycle-sharing service, IULM provides students with a range of affordable mobility options, encouraging public transport, active travel, shared vehicles and electric mobility as part of its broader commitment to sustainable commuting.

4. Student housing and accommodation support to reduce commuting needs

Università IULM recognises that sustainable commuting is influenced not only by transport choices but also by the distance between students' accommodation and the university campus. For this reason, the university provides accommodation support and housing-related initiatives that can help students identify suitable places to live in Milan.

Through its student accommodation partnerships, IULM facilitates access to housing opportunities for students moving to the city. These partnerships help students explore accommodation options that may allow them to live closer to campus or within convenient reach of public transport connections.

In addition, IULM provides a dedicated student accommodation service and call for bed places, supporting eligible students in accessing university-related accommodation opportunities.

Together, these measures can contribute to:

• Reducing the need for long-distance commuting, where students can find accommodation closer to campus.
• Encouraging the use of public transport, walking and other sustainable travel options.
• Improving accessibility and affordability, particularly for students who relocate to Milan for their studies.
• Supporting student well-being, by potentially reducing the time and costs associated with daily travel.

By addressing accommodation needs alongside transport incentives, IULM adopts a broader approach to sustainable mobility that considers both how students travel and the distances they need to cover.

5. Agreements and sustainable commuting incentives for staff

Università IULM also supports more sustainable commuting among its academic and administrative staff, recognising that employees' daily journeys contribute to the university's overall environmental footprint. The university provides a range of incentives and organisational measures intended to facilitate the use of public transport and shared mobility.

Public transport incentives

Università IULM promotes sustainable commuting among its academic and administrative staff through agreements with ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and Trenitalia, encouraging the use of public transport as an alternative to private vehicles. Through its agreement with ATM, IULM offers employees discounted annual public transport passes, with the possibility of paying in instalments through payroll deductions. Staff can also benefit from the Trenitalia Welfare PLUS 10% programme, which provides a 10% discount on eligible rail tickets. Together, these agreements cover a substantial part of the public transport network connecting Milan with its surrounding metropolitan area and other Italian cities, including urban transport services, suburban connections and regional and national rail services. By facilitating access to both local and longer-distance public transport, IULM supports sustainable commuting for employees travelling from different geographical areas, helping to reduce reliance on private cars and encouraging more environmentally responsible travel choices.

Remote working and flexible work arrangements

Università IULM also promotes remote working and flexible working arrangements, where compatible with employees' responsibilities and applicable institutional provisions. By reducing the need for certain journeys to campus, these arrangements can contribute to lower commuting frequency, reduced transport-related emissions and improved work–life balance.

6. Integration with IULM's environmental sustainability strategy

IULM's sustainable commuting initiatives form part of a broader institutional strategy aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of university operations.

As outlined in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, the university has identified several complementary areas of intervention.

These include:

• Expansion of photovoltaic installations, with the aim of increasing the share of energy generated directly by the university.
• Energy-efficiency improvements across campus buildings, designed to reduce electricity and gas consumption.
• Introduction and development of intelligent technologies for lighting, climate control and the management of university spaces.
• Measures to reduce water consumption and promote responsible resource use.
• Implementation of the PSCL and its associated actions, supporting the progressive improvement of commuting sustainability.

The Strategic Plan also identifies equipment to promote sustainable mobility and the adoption and implementation of PSCL actions among the indicators used to assess progress towards reducing the campus's environmental impact.

Institutional awareness-raising and sustainable behaviour

Alongside infrastructural improvements and sustainable mobility initiatives, Università IULM promotes environmentally responsible behaviour through its Practical Guide to Energy-Saving Actions. Addressed to students, academic staff and university employees, the guide provides practical recommendations for reducing the environmental impact of everyday activities, including responsible energy consumption, efficient use of university facilities and sustainable movement within campus buildings.

In particular, it encourages the use of stairs instead of lifts for short journeys, where appropriate and accessible, combining energy conservation with the promotion of physical activity. The document also explicitly references IULM's bicycle-sharing service as part of the university's initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Through this guidance, IULM complements its strategic environmental commitments with practical awareness-raising measures, encouraging members of the university community to contribute actively to sustainability objectives.

Although energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives are distinct from commuting policies, their inclusion alongside the PSCL demonstrates IULM's commitment to an integrated approach to environmental sustainability, combining campus infrastructure improvements with measures addressing transport-related impacts.

7. Supporting a more sustainable urban environment

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 a framework for monitoring commuting patterns, identifying opportunities for improvement and coordinating measures to reduce the environmental impact of daily travel, in line with IULM's ambition to become a car-free university.

Mobility Manager and sustainable commuting strategy

The appointment of a dedicated Mobility Manager represents a central element of IULM's commitment to promoting sustainable commuting. This institutional role supports the development and coordination of mobility initiatives, encouraging alternatives to individual car use and facilitating the integration of university mobility policies with the wider urban transport system.

The Mobility Manager's activities are closely connected to the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL), which provides the university with a structured framework for understanding commuting behaviour and identifying measures to encourage more sustainable transport choices.

The PSCL considers commuting needs and opportunities for improvement, with particular attention to public transport, shared mobility, cycling and other alternatives to private vehicles. Its proposed actions provide a basis for progressively improving commuting practices and assessing the effectiveness of sustainable mobility initiatives.

Importantly, sustainable commuting is explicitly addressed in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the development of the PSCL and the implementation of related actions among the university's environmental sustainability priorities. This integration strengthens the institutional framework supporting sustainable mobility and connects commuting initiatives with IULM's broader sustainability objectives.

Partnerships and financial incentives for sustainable mobility

To translate its mobility strategy into practical opportunities, Università IULM has established a network of agreements and partnerships designed to encourage more sustainable alternatives for daily journeys.

For students, these initiatives include:

• Trenitalia Welfare PLUS: a 10% discount on eligible train tickets, encouraging rail travel as an alternative to private vehicles.
• Wayla: a 10% discount on app-based urban mobility services.
• Pikyrent: preferential rates for shared scooters and microcars, including a 50% discount on unlocking fees and 30% on rental, reservation and parking charges.
• Drivalia E+Share: preferential access to 100% electric car-sharing vehicles, promoting lower-emission transport options.
• Enjoy: discounted car-sharing services, encouraging shared vehicle use as an alternative to individual car ownership.

For academic and administrative staff, IULM promotes sustainable commuting through agreements with ATM (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) and Trenitalia. The ATM agreement provides employees with access to discounted annual public transport passes, with the possibility of payment through payroll instalments, while the Trenitalia agreement offers dedicated benefits for rail travel. Together, these agreements cover a substantial proportion of the public transport connections to and from Milan, combining urban public transport with regional and national rail services. By facilitating access to these transport networks, IULM encourages employees travelling from both the metropolitan area and other Italian cities to choose public transport over private vehicles.

IULM Life – Free Bicycle-Sharing Service

Università IULM has further strengthened its sustainable mobility initiatives through the introduction of a free bicycle-sharing service under the IULM Life programme.

Available to students, academic staff and university employees holding an IULM Sport Card, the initiative provides free access to bicycles and encourages cycling as an environmentally sustainable means of transport.

The service supports IULM's mobility objectives by promoting active, zero-emission mobility, facilitating short-distance journeys and encouraging alternatives to motorised transport.

By providing a practical mobility service directly to its community, IULM reinforces its commitment to sustainable commuting beyond financial incentives alone.

Smart working and flexible working arrangements for employees

In addition to promoting sustainable transport alternatives, Università IULM supports the reduction of commuting-related environmental impacts through smart working arrangements for eligible administrative staff, in accordance with institutional policies and operational requirements.

By enabling employees to carry out their professional activities remotely when permitted, these arrangements can reduce the frequency of home-to-work journeys, helping to limit commuting-related emissions, traffic congestion and dependence on private vehicles.

Smart working therefore complements the university's sustainable mobility strategy by addressing not only the environmental impact of commuting, but also opportunities to reduce the need for daily travel.

Combined with the public transport benefits offered through the ATM and Trenitalia agreements, these arrangements contribute to a more flexible and environmentally responsible approach to employee mobility.

Pedestrian- and cycling-friendly campus

IULM's campus infrastructure also contributes to sustainable commuting by facilitating access on foot, by bicycle and through public transport.

The university benefits from a pedestrian-friendly campus environment, including Via Carlo Bo and pedestrian routes connecting the main university buildings.

The campus is well connected to Milan's public transport network, particularly through:

• Romolo metro station (M2) and the adjacent railway station.
• Nearby bus and trolleybus services.
• Pedestrian connections between transport stops and university buildings.
• Bicycle access and parking facilities supporting cycling as an alternative to motorised commuting.

These features encourage walking, cycling and public transport use, helping students and employees reach the campus without relying exclusively on private cars.

The introduction of IULM's free bicycle-sharing service further complements this infrastructure by offering an additional option for active mobility.

Student accommodation and reduced commuting needs

IULM also supports students in identifying accommodation opportunities close to the university through its housing partnerships and accommodation services.

The university additionally provides accommodation support within its student assistance initiatives.

Facilitating access to accommodation near campus can help students reduce the distance and frequency of longer commuting journeys, while encouraging walking, cycling and public transport use.

Awareness and communication

Università IULM promotes awareness of sustainable commuting opportunities through its institutional website, student information services and internal communication channels.

Information about public transport agreements, shared mobility services and other available incentives helps students and employees identify alternatives to private vehicle use.

The university's Practical Guide to Energy-Saving Actions also contributes to this awareness-raising approach by highlighting the availability of the bicycle-sharing service as part of IULM's broader environmental sustainability efforts.

Supporting sustainable urban mobility

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 commitment to environmental sustainability, employee wellbeing and responsible mobility, supporting the reduction of unnecessary travel and encouraging more flexible working arrangements.

1. Remote working policy and employee benefits

Università IULM has established a formal framework for remote working through its institutional employment arrangements, recognising smart working as an established organisational practice. According to the university's collective labour agreement, employees can benefit from remote working arrangements for up to two days per week, subject to the applicable contractual provisions and organisational requirements.

This policy provides employees with the opportunity to perform eligible professional activities remotely, reducing the need to travel to campus every working day.

The adoption of smart working offers several benefits:

• Reduced commuting frequency: Employees working remotely can avoid home-to-work journeys on designated days, helping to reduce commuting-related environmental impacts.
• Lower transport-related emissions: Fewer journeys to campus can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with employee commuting.
• Reduced traffic congestion: Remote working can help decrease the number of vehicles travelling to and from the university during peak commuting hours.
• Improved work-life balance: Greater flexibility in organising professional activities can support employees in balancing work and personal responsibilities.
• Organisational flexibility: Remote working arrangements support more adaptable working practices while maintaining the continuity of university services.

By incorporating smart working into its employment framework, IULM provides a practical mechanism for reducing the frequency of employee commuting while supporting staff wellbeing.

2. Integration with IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027

The university's commitment to reducing commuting-related environmental impacts is consistent with the objectives outlined in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027. In the section dedicated to resources, infrastructure and technology (pp. 56–59), the Strategic Plan identifies reducing the environmental impact of the campus as one of IULM's institutional priorities.

Among the measures envisaged, the university explicitly includes the development of the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL) and the implementation of related sustainable mobility actions.

The Strategic Plan also identifies the adoption and implementation of PSCL measures as an indicator for monitoring progress towards the university's environmental objectives. In this context, smart working represents an additional organisational measure that supports the broader goal of reducing the environmental footprint of university-related mobility.

3. Remote working as part of IULM's sustainable mobility framework

Università IULM's approach to reducing commuting-related impacts combines measures that encourage more sustainable transport choices with organisational arrangements that can reduce the need to travel. The university has appointed a Mobility Manager and developed the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL) to support the assessment of commuting patterns and the identification of sustainable mobility measures.

Within this broader framework, remote working provides a complementary approach to sustainable commuting. While public transport agreements, cycling initiatives and shared mobility services encourage employees to adopt alternatives to private vehicles, smart working can eliminate the need for commuting on designated working days.

This distinction is particularly relevant to the university's environmental objectives, as reducing the number of journeys represents an additional opportunity to limit transport-related emissions. The combination of sustainable mobility initiatives and remote working arrangements therefore supports a more comprehensive approach to reducing the environmental impact of employee travel.

4. Supporting employee wellbeing and sustainable working practices

Beyond its environmental benefits, IULM's remote working policy contributes to the promotion of employee wellbeing and more sustainable working practices. By allowing eligible employees to work remotely for part of the working week, the university supports greater flexibility in managing professional responsibilities and personal commitments. Reducing the time spent commuting can also contribute to improved quality of life, particularly for employees travelling longer distances to reach the Milan campus. These arrangements reflect IULM's commitment to developing an organisational environment that combines operational efficiency, staff wellbeing and environmental responsibility.

5. Commitment to sustainable working arrangements

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 No. 20704 of 23 May 2024, which establishes eligibility requirements, accommodation conditions, services and preferential rates.

Through its university residences and employee financial support arrangements, IULM contributes to making accommodation and housing-related expenses more manageable for members of its academic and professional community.

1. University guest accommodation: the Foresteria service

Università IULM operates a dedicated Foresteria service, providing temporary accommodation for eligible members of the university community, including academic staff, researchers, visiting professors, professionals and guests involved in institutional, teaching and research activities.

The service supports academic mobility, international cooperation and professional exchanges, offering furnished accommodation at preferential rates.

Accommodation is available in two university residences located in Milan, both situated near the IULM campus and accessible by public transport.

Residenza Santander

The Residenza Santander, located at Via Santander 5, Milan, provides fully equipped accommodation within walking distance of the university campus and close to the Romolo M2 metro and railway station.

Rooms include private bathrooms, kitchen facilities, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, television, a safe and bed and bath linen.

Additional services include:

• 24-hour reception and assistance.
• Coin-operated laundry facilities.
• Coffee corner.
• Weekly linen changes.
• Room cleaning every two weeks.
• Daily cleaning of common areas.

These facilities offer visiting academics, researchers and university guests a practical accommodation solution that reduces the need to arrange short-term housing independently on the Milan rental market.

Residenza Cascina Moncucco

The Residenza Cascina Moncucco, located at Via Moncucco 29/31, Milan, offers accommodation in a restored 18th-century historical building.

The residence holds LEED Silver certification, reflecting the integration of environmental sustainability principles into the conservation and redevelopment of the property.

Rooms include private bathrooms, mini-fridges, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, safes and bed and bath linen.

Residents also benefit from:

• 24-hour reception.
• Shared kitchen facilities.
• Coin-operated laundry.
• Coffee corner.
• Weekly linen changes.
• Room cleaning every two weeks.
• Daily cleaning of common areas.

By combining the preservation of architectural heritage with modern accommodation facilities, Cascina Moncucco provides a comfortable and environmentally responsible housing option for the university's visiting community.

Both residences are located near the campus and connected to Milan's public transport network, facilitating access to university facilities without requiring daily travel by private car.

2. Affordable accommodation rates and transparent conditions

The university's Foresteria Service provides accommodation at preferential rates intended to offer an affordable alternative to short-term accommodation on the local market.

The applicable tariffs, approved by the IULM Board of Directors on 30 January 2024, are established in the Foresteria Service Regulations.

The pricing structure progressively reduces the nightly cost for longer stays, making accommodation more accessible for researchers, visiting lecturers and other eligible guests undertaking extended academic or professional activities.

These rates include management costs and accommodation services, providing guests with transparent and predictable expenses.

The availability of university-managed accommodation is particularly relevant in Milan, where accommodation costs can represent a significant financial consideration for visiting academics and professionals.

3. Booking procedures and institutional regulations

Access to the Foresteria Service is governed by established institutional procedures designed to ensure transparency, equal treatment and appropriate management of university accommodation resources.

Reservations must be submitted by the relevant IULM faculty or department at least seven days before the intended stay.

Requests are addressed to the Ufficio Residenze at [email protected], and confirmation is subject to availability.

Accommodation costs may be covered directly by the guest or, where authorised, by the university.

Payments made by guests are processed in advance through bank transfer or credit card, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Guests are also required to comply with the University Residence Regulations, which establish rules concerning safety, appropriate conduct and the use of shared facilities.

This regulatory framework ensures that accommodation is provided through a structured institutional service with clearly defined conditions and responsibilities.

4. Financial support for employees: advance payment of severance entitlements (TFR)

In addition to providing university-managed accommodation, Università IULM supports employees through financial arrangements that can help them meet significant housing-related expenses.

One such measure is the possibility of requesting an advance payment of accrued severance entitlements (Trattamento di Fine Rapporto – TFR), including for the purchase of a first home.

Under the applicable provisions, employees may request an advance payment once during their employment, for an amount not exceeding 70% of the TFR accrued at the time of application.

Employees must generally have completed at least eight years of service and demonstrate an eligible reason for requesting the advance.

Eligible purposes include:

• Purchase of a first home, either for the employee or their children.
• Extraordinary medical expenses for the employee or a family member.
• Expenses arising during parental leave.
• Education and training expenses for the employee or their children.

For first-home purchases, employees must provide appropriate documentation demonstrating the intended acquisition, such as a preliminary purchase agreement, followed by the final deed of sale once the transaction has been completed.

Applications are reviewed by the IULM Board of Directors during the month in which they are submitted. Following approval, the advance is paid through the employee's salary in the subsequent month.

Where an employee has existing financial obligations secured against their severance entitlements, the advance can be granted only if the accrued TFR exceeds the outstanding liabilities.

This arrangement provides eligible employees with access to financial resources already accrued during their employment, potentially facilitating the purchase of a first home and reducing the immediate financial burden associated with home ownership.

Although the TFR advance is not a direct housing subsidy, it represents a relevant form of housing-related financial assistance available to eligible university employees.

5. Employee access to salary-backed financing

Università IULM also administers arrangements associated with cessione del quinto dello stipendio, a form of salary-backed personal financing available to eligible employees under Italian legislation.

This financing mechanism allows employees to obtain a personal loan and repay it through deductions made directly from their monthly salary.

The repayment amount cannot exceed one-fifth of the employee's salary, providing a regulated repayment structure.

Eligibility requirements generally include:

• A permanent employment contract.
• Residence in Italy.
• An age between 18 and 63 years.
• Compliance with the financing provider's insurance and eligibility requirements.

Loan amounts depend on the employee's salary, while repayment periods range from two to ten years.

The financing arrangement requires insurance coverage and is subject to the protections established by Italian consumer credit legislation.

The employee's accrued TFR may serve as collateral, and any subsequent request for a TFR advance must take account of outstanding liabilities.

This mechanism can provide employees with access to regulated financing for significant personal expenses, potentially including housing-related costs, depending on the individual's needs.

While salary-backed financing is not specifically a university housing programme, it complements the financial support mechanisms available to employees.

6. Supporting housing accessibility and sustainable urban integration

Università IULM's approach combines direct accommodation provision with financial arrangements that can support employees in managing housing-related expenditure.

The university's Foresteria Service offers an established accommodation solution for visiting academics, researchers, professionals and other eligible guests, with transparent rates and access to essential services.

The proximity of Residenza Santander and Cascina Moncucco to the university campus also supports more sustainable mobility by making it possible for residents to reach university facilities on foot or through public transport.

For employees, the possibility of requesting TFR advances for first-home purchases provides an additional mechanism for accessing financial resources when undertaking significant housing investments.

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.

1. Strategic commitment to affordable student housing

The provision of affordable student accommodation is an explicit institutional priority, as established in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027 (pp. 53–54).

Under the strategic objective “Right to education: increasing the availability of student accommodation”, the university recognises access to affordable housing as an essential condition for ensuring equal educational opportunities, particularly for students relocating to Milan from other regions or countries.

The Plan specifically commits IULM to providing accommodation at preferential rates for students living away from home, while ensuring comfortable residential environments that encourage social interaction and participation in university life.

Furthermore, IULM identifies the development of a comprehensive student housing strategy as a priority, considering both the potential creation of additional university residential facilities and the establishment of agreements with external housing providers.

By incorporating student accommodation into its institutional strategic objectives, IULM demonstrates that affordable housing is not simply an ancillary student service, but an integral component of its commitment to the right to education, accessibility and student wellbeing.

2. University residences and subsidised accommodation

Università IULM directly manages two university residences, Residenza Santander and Cascina Moncucco, both located close to the university campus and well connected to Milan's public transport network.

The residences offer fully furnished accommodation, including private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, shared kitchens, laundry facilities, study areas and 24-hour reception services, providing students with safe and comfortable living environments.

Residenza Santander, located at Via Santander 5, offers modern accommodation within walking distance of the campus, while Cascina Moncucco, located at Via Moncucco 29/31, is housed in a restored 18th-century building with LEED Silver certification, combining historical preservation with environmental sustainability.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, IULM's official accommodation call provides 183 student accommodation places, distributed between the two residences:

• 110 places at Residenza Santander, including four accessible single-room places.
• 73 places at Cascina Moncucco, including ten accessible places in double rooms.

Of these, 85 places are offered at subsidised rates, while the remaining 98 places are available at standard university residence rates.

This allocation demonstrates IULM's commitment to making accommodation accessible to students with different economic circumstances, while providing dedicated facilities for students with disabilities.

3. Annual housing calls and affordable accommodation rates

Università IULM allocates student accommodation through a formal annual selection procedure, managed by the university's Right to Study Office (Ufficio per il Diritto allo Studio).

The 2026/2027 Student Accommodation Call establishes transparent eligibility requirements, selection criteria and accommodation fees.

For the 11-month accommodation period from September 2026 to July 2027, the applicable rates are:

The subsidised rate provides eligible students with an annual saving of €1,430, corresponding to approximately 27% less than the standard university residence fee.

Eligibility and selection criteria

Access to subsidised accommodation is determined through a combination of economic circumstances, academic merit and geographical distance from the university.

Economic eligibility is assessed through the Italian ISEE Universitario and ISPE indicators, while academic requirements take account of students' enrolment status and progression in their studies.

The programme primarily supports students living away from home, for whom daily commuting to Milan would be impractical.

Applications are submitted through the university's dedicated online portal, and the selection procedure includes the publication of provisional and final rankings, ensuring transparency and fairness in the allocation of residential places.

The accommodation call also includes specific provisions for students with disabilities, supporting equal access to university housing.

4. Free accommodation for refugee students and students facing vulnerability

Università IULM's housing commitment extends beyond its standard accommodation programme through dedicated initiatives supporting refugee students and students affected by international crises.

These students benefit from full tuition fee exemptions and free accommodation in university residences, enabling them to continue their education in a safe and supportive environment.

By providing free residential places alongside educational support, the university contributes to social inclusion, educational accessibility and the integration of vulnerable students into the academic community.

5. Network of housing partners and preferential accommodation agreements

To complement its university-managed residences and expand the range of accommodation opportunities available to students, Università IULM promotes a selected network of housing providers and accommodation services.

This network provides students relocating to Milan with access to student residences, furnished apartments, shared accommodation and alternative housing arrangements, including several opportunities offering preferential rates, discounted booking fees or dedicated services for IULM students.

The network includes:

• Milan housing: a dedicated accommodation portal for IULM students, offering verified housing options and assistance throughout the rental process, from check-in to check-out, including emergency support.
• Spacest: a platform specialising in medium- and long-term accommodation, providing furnished and verified rooms and apartments. IULM students can obtain a 20% discount on booking costs through a dedicated promotional code.
• Cerco Alloggio: a platform connecting students with accommodation providers through detailed property listings and virtual tours. IULM students benefit from a 10% discount on service commissions upon presentation of their enrolment certificate.
• Collegio di Milano: an inter-university residential institution established through cooperation between Milan's universities, the Municipality of Milan, the Lombardy Region and private organisations. It combines student accommodation with an interdisciplinary cultural and educational programme.
• La Ringhiera – Fondazione SUN: a university housing provider offering residential accommodation solutions for students through the Fondazione Servizi Universitari.
• La Cordata Accommodation: an organisation providing accommodation solutions for university students, expanding the range of residential options available in Milan.
• Collegiate: a student residence provider offering furnished accommodation and communal facilities. IULM students booking accommodation at Collegiate Milan North for at least 12 months can benefit from a €200 discount.
• Tribera Milan: a student residence located in Sesto San Giovanni, connected to Milan by metro. It provides furnished accommodation, study areas, shared kitchens, recreational facilities and communal spaces. A dedicated promotional code is available to IULM students.
• Dotstay: a housing platform offering verified accommodation options and personalised assistance through its dedicated Angel service, supporting students from their arrival in Milan to check-in. IULM students can access preferential conditions using the IULM10 promotional code.
• Zappyrent: a digital rental platform providing verified accommodation listings, in-person visits and virtual property tours. IULM students receive a 25% discount on booking costs using the promotional code IULM25.
• Erasmusu: an international student accommodation platform offering access to more than 1,900 housing listings in Milan, including rooms, apartments and residences. IULM students benefit from a 30% discount on booking commissions using the code IULM30.
• HousingAnywhere: an international accommodation platform providing verified rental listings and secure booking procedures. IULM students receive a 30% discount on booking fees, reimbursed according to the provider's conditions.
• Italianway: a provider of furnished apartments and accommodation for short- and medium-term stays. IULM students benefit from a 10% discount on stays of 1–29 nights and a 10% discount on the first month for stays of 1–18 months, subject to the applicable booking conditions.
• Prendi in Casa uno Studente – MeglioMilano: an intergenerational housing initiative connecting university students, doctoral candidates and researchers with older residents who have spare rooms. Students contribute to household expenses rather than paying conventional market rents, while promoting intergenerational solidarity and social inclusion.
• RentalMilan.com: a provider of fully furnished apartments in Milan, offering accommodation with all-inclusive pricing, virtual property tours and assistance throughout the stay, particularly supporting international students.
• Welcome Home: a housing provider offering furnished apartments and shared accommodation, with assistance in rental administration and property maintenance. IULM students receive a 30% discount on service fees using the promotional code IULMSTUD30.
• Campus CX: a student accommodation provider offering residential facilities at CX Milan Bicocca, including furnished rooms, study areas, shared kitchens and communal spaces. The provider offers dedicated quarterly and semester accommodation promotions.
• Residenza Chiaralba Milano: a residential facility located in Via Pomponazzi, within walking distance or a short bus journey from IULM. It offers furnished apartments and dedicated assistance, with a 10% discount on the applicable rental rate for IULM students, subject to availability and apartment type.

Through this extensive network, Università IULM facilitates access to a diverse range of housing opportunities suited to different financial circumstances, accommodation needs and lengths of stay. The availability of preferential rates and discounted booking fees helps reduce some of the costs associated with securing accommodation in Milan, while dedicated student housing services support those relocating from other Italian regions or abroad.

6. Intergenerational housing: "Prendi in casa uno studente"

Among the housing initiatives promoted through IULM's accommodation network is "Prendi in casa uno studente", an intergenerational housing project developed by MeglioMilano.

The initiative connects students seeking affordable accommodation with older residents who have spare rooms in their homes.

Students can access accommodation through arrangements involving modest contributions towards household expenses, while participating in an intergenerational living environment based on mutual respect and social interaction.

This model provides an alternative to conventional rental accommodation, helping to reduce housing costs, promote intergenerational solidarity and strengthen social inclusion.

7. Housing information and student support services

In addition to university-managed accommodation and external partnerships, IULM provides information and assistance to students searching for housing in Milan.

The university maintains a housing bulletin board (Bacheca Alloggi), accessible both online and on campus, where students and accommodation providers can publish or consult housing offers.

Through its student accommodation information services, IULM also provides access to information about university residences, accommodation applications, external housing providers, preferential agreements and alternative housing arrangements.

These resources help students navigate the local housing market and identify accommodation options suited to their individual needs and financial circumstances.

8. Institutional collaboration and student housing development

Università IULM recognises that affordable student housing is a major challenge in Milan and that addressing it requires cooperation between universities, public authorities and housing providers.

The university participates in institutional dialogue concerning student accommodation, including discussions involving the Municipality of Milan and other higher education institutions.

This engagement complements IULM's internal accommodation services and supports wider efforts to improve the availability and accessibility of student housing in the city.

Importantly, the Strategic Plan 2025–2027 explicitly identifies the expansion of student residential capacity as a strategic priority.

The Plan envisages developing a housing strategy that considers both the potential creation of additional university residential spaces and the establishment or expansion of agreements with external accommodation providers.

9. Supporting affordable and inclusive student housing

Through its 183 university residence places, including 85 subsidised places, formal accommodation selection procedures, accessible residential facilities and extensive network of external housing partnerships, Università IULM provides a structured approach to supporting student accommodation.

The university further strengthens this commitment through free accommodation for refugee students, preferential housing agreements, intergenerational living initiatives and dedicated accommodation information services.

By integrating affordable student housing into its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, IULM recognises accommodation as an essential component of the right to education.

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.

1. Strategic commitment to sustainable and accessible campus mobility

The promotion of pedestrian and cyclist access is consistent with the environmental sustainability objectives established in IULM's Strategic Plan 2025–2027 (pp. 56–57).

Under the strategic objective “Reducing the environmental impact of the campus”, the university identifies sustainable mobility as an institutional priority, alongside energy efficiency, renewable energy and responsible resource management.

In particular, the Strategic Plan explicitly includes the development of the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL) and the implementation of related measures to promote more sustainable commuting practices.

The Plan also identifies equipment and facilities supporting sustainable mobility and the adoption and implementation of PSCL measures among the indicators used to assess progress towards its environmental objectives.

This strategic framework demonstrates IULM's commitment to progressively improving campus accessibility through sustainable transport alternatives, with particular attention to reducing reliance on private vehicles and encouraging more environmentally responsible mobility choices.

2. Urban regeneration and pedestrian-oriented campus development

Over the past thirty years, Università IULM has contributed significantly to the urban regeneration of Milan's Barona district, transforming a formerly industrial area into an accessible environment integrating university facilities, cultural spaces, green areas and public amenities.

A defining feature of IULM's campus is Via Carlo Bo, a fully pedestrianised street that runs through the heart of the university and connects all its main buildings. As a pedestrian-only thoroughfare, closed to regular motor vehicle traffic, Via Carlo Bo provides a safe, continuous and accessible route for students, academic staff, employees, visitors and local residents.

This pedestrian corridor serves as the central axis of the campus, allowing members of the university community to move between academic buildings, libraries, cultural facilities and shared spaces entirely on foot, without encountering regular vehicular traffic.

By prioritising pedestrians over motorised vehicles, IULM creates a car-free central campus environment that encourages walking, improves pedestrian safety and facilitates access to university facilities.

The pedestrianisation of Via Carlo Bo also strengthens connections with the surrounding neighbourhood and nearby public transport services, particularly Romolo metro and railway station, supporting sustainable journeys to and from campus.

Together with the university's green spaces, bicycle facilities and public areas, this pedestrian-only street represents a concrete example of IULM's commitment to sustainable urban mobility, accessibility and pedestrian-oriented campus planning, contributing to a safer and more inclusive urban environment.

3. Pedestrian-friendly and cycle-friendly campus infrastructure

Università IULM supports pedestrian and cyclist access through campus infrastructure designed to facilitate safe and convenient movement without reliance on private motorised vehicles.

The principal features include:

• Pedestrian-only central campus: Via Carlo Bo forms the main pedestrian axis of the university, connecting its buildings and shared facilities through a continuous route reserved for pedestrians.
• Direct access to university buildings: Pedestrian routes connect the main entrances, facilitating movement for students, academic staff, employees and visitors.
• Connections to public transport: The campus is accessible from Romolo metro station (M2) and the adjacent railway station, as well as nearby bus and trolleybus services.
• Bicycle access and parking facilities: Dedicated spaces for bicycle parking encourage students and employees to cycle to the university.
• Integration with the surrounding urban network: Pedestrian and cycling access connects the campus with nearby streets, public transport services and residential areas.

These features support walking, cycling and multimodal transport, helping make sustainable mobility a practical option for reaching and moving around the university.

The proximity of public transport connections is particularly important, as it allows students and employees travelling from other parts of Milan and the metropolitan area to complete their journeys on foot rather than relying on private cars.

4. IULM Life – Free bicycle-sharing service

Università IULM has further strengthened its commitment to cycling through the introduction of a free bicycle-sharing service as part of the IULM Life programme.

Announced in December 2025 and subsequently confirmed as operational in the university's Practical Guide to Energy-Saving Actions, the initiative provides free access to bicycles for students, academic staff and employees holding an IULM Sport Card.

The service encourages the use of bicycles for short-distance journeys and supports the adoption of active, environmentally sustainable transport.

By making bicycles available directly to members of its community, IULM promotes cycling not only through physical infrastructure but also through a dedicated mobility service that removes the cost of bicycle rental for eligible users.

The initiative complements existing pedestrian and cycling facilities and contributes to the university's broader objective of encouraging alternatives to private motorised transport.

5. Green spaces and pedestrian-oriented public areas

IULM's pedestrian environment is complemented by green spaces, landscaped areas and outdoor facilities that contribute to the accessibility and attractiveness of the campus.

A central feature is the 10,000 m² Silvio F. Baridon Garden, a green area developed as part of the university's commitment to improving the quality of its campus environment.

The Baridon Garden provides an outdoor setting for relaxation, informal meetings and social interaction, contributing to the availability of accessible green spaces within the surrounding urban area.

Additional landscaped spaces, trees and public seating areas throughout the campus encourage pedestrian circulation and provide opportunities for students, employees and visitors to spend time outdoors.

In front of the main university building, two open-air water basins contribute to the campus landscape, complementing its pedestrian areas and outdoor public spaces.

Together, these features create an environment that supports walking, outdoor activities, social interaction and access to urban greenery, reinforcing the relationship between the university campus and the surrounding neighbourhood.

6. Sustainable mobility governance: Mobility Manager and PSCL

The promotion of pedestrian and cyclist access is also supported by IULM's institutional mobility governance.

The university has appointed a dedicated Mobility Manager, responsible for supporting the coordination of sustainable mobility initiatives and encouraging alternatives to individual car use.

This role is closely connected to the Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL), which provides a structured framework for assessing commuting patterns and identifying opportunities to improve sustainable transport accessibility.

The PSCL considers measures to encourage alternatives to private vehicle use, including public transport, cycling, walking and shared mobility solutions. Its proposed actions provide a basis for progressively improving mobility practices and supporting the university's environmental objectives.

The inclusion of the PSCL within the Strategic Plan 2025–2027 reinforces the connection between campus accessibility, institutional planning and sustainable mobility governance.

By combining pedestrian-oriented infrastructure with mobility planning and dedicated cycling initiatives, IULM demonstrates a coordinated approach to promoting sustainable access to its campus.

7. Supporting an accessible and sustainable urban environment

Through its pedestrian-only central campus, bicycle parking facilities, free bicycle-sharing service, accessible green spaces and connections to public transport, Università IULM encourages walking and cycling as practical alternatives to private vehicle use.

The pedestrianisation of Via Carlo Bo, which connects all the university's main buildings, is particularly significant: it ensures that pedestrians take priority over motorised traffic throughout the central campus, providing a safe and continuous walking environment.

These initiatives are supported by the university's Mobility Manager, PSCL and Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which provide an institutional framework for progressively improving sustainable mobility.

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.

1. Strategic commitment to sustainable urban development

Università IULM's engagement with local authorities and stakeholders is supported by the institutional priorities established in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which integrates sustainable campus development, environmental responsibility, student housing and community engagement into the university's long-term objectives.

The Plan identifies several priorities directly relevant to sustainable urban planning:

• Expanding affordable student accommodation: Pages 53–54 establish the objective of increasing the availability of student housing to support the right to education, including accommodation at preferential rates and potential agreements with external housing providers.
• Developing the university's infrastructure: The Plan identifies the preparation of an operational development project for the newly acquired IULM 8 building as a strategic priority.
• Reducing the campus's environmental impact: The Plan establishes objectives concerning energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, responsible resource management and the implementation of the university's Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL).
• Strengthening connections with the surrounding neighbourhood: The Plan describes the university's cultural spaces as part of an urban regeneration initiative intended to connect the campus with the Barona district and encourage public participation.

These objectives demonstrate IULM's commitment to integrating its institutional development with the broader environmental, social and urban needs of Milan.

Rather than treating campus expansion as an isolated infrastructure project, IULM promotes an approach that considers urban accessibility, sustainable mobility, public spaces, housing availability and community participation.

2. Long-term commitment to urban regeneration in the Barona District

For more than thirty years, Università IULM has contributed to the urban regeneration of Milan's Barona district, transforming a formerly industrial area into an accessible urban environment integrating educational facilities, cultural spaces, green areas and public amenities.

The university's development has contributed to the revitalisation of the surrounding neighbourhood through investments in infrastructure, the restoration of existing buildings and the creation of spaces accessible to the wider community.

Among the most significant interventions are:

• A pedestrian-oriented university campus: Via Carlo Bo, the central street connecting IULM's main buildings, is entirely pedestrianised and closed to regular motor vehicle traffic. This provides a continuous, safe walking route through the campus and facilitates access to university facilities and surrounding public spaces.
• The creation of the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden: The university developed a 10,000 m² green space, contributing to the availability of landscaped outdoor areas for recreation, social interaction and community activities.
• The restoration of Cascina Moncucco: IULM recovered a historic agricultural complex and transformed it into a university residence, combining architectural conservation with contemporary accommodation facilities and environmental sustainability.
• The development of green and pedestrian areas: Landscaped spaces, pedestrian connections, public seating and outdoor water basins contribute to the quality and accessibility of the campus environment.
• The integration of cultural facilities with the neighbourhood: The university's cultural spaces, including the TAM TAM museum and its exhibitions, support interaction between the academic community and the surrounding city.

These interventions demonstrate how IULM contributes to urban regeneration through the reuse of existing buildings, the improvement of public spaces and the development of pedestrian-oriented infrastructure.

The university's Strategic Plan 2025–2027 also describes the connection between its cultural facilities and the Barona neighbourhood as an urban regeneration initiative aimed at creating opportunities for education and public participation.

3. Collaboration with the Municipality of Milan on Sustainable Mobility Planning

An important component of IULM's engagement with local authorities is its contribution to sustainable urban mobility planning.

The university has appointed a dedicated Mobility Manager and developed its Piano Spostamenti Casa-Lavoro (PSCL), a structured mobility plan addressing commuting patterns and opportunities to encourage more sustainable transport choices.

IULM has shared its PSCL with the Municipality of Milan, making the university's mobility planning available to the local authority responsible for coordinating urban transport and sustainable mobility policies.

This represents a concrete example of institutional cooperation between the university and the municipal administration.

The PSCL provides a framework for assessing commuting needs and identifying measures to encourage alternatives to private car use, including:

• Greater use of public transport, particularly metro, railway and bus services.
• Promotion of walking and cycling as sustainable commuting options.
• Development of shared mobility solutions.
• Improvement of sustainable mobility information and accessibility for the university community.

The university's location near Romolo metro and railway station, combined with its pedestrian-oriented campus and bicycle facilities, supports the practical implementation of these objectives.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 explicitly identifies the adoption and implementation of PSCL measures and the provision of facilities supporting sustainable mobility among the university's environmental priorities.

By sharing its mobility plan with the Municipality of Milan, IULM contributes to the coordination of institutional commuting initiatives with wider urban transport planning.

4. Restoration and sustainable reuse of Cascina Moncucco

The restoration of Cascina Moncucco represents a significant example of IULM's contribution to sustainable urban development, architectural conservation and student accommodation.

Originally an eighteenth-century agricultural complex, Cascina Moncucco was restored and repurposed as a university residence, preserving the historical character of the building while adapting it to contemporary educational and residential needs.

The project combines three important dimensions of sustainable urban planning.

Conservation of architectural heritage. Rather than replacing the existing structure with an entirely new development, IULM invested in the recovery and adaptive reuse of a historic building, contributing to the preservation of Milan's architectural heritage.

Environmental sustainability. The renovated complex obtained LEED Silver certification, reflecting the integration of environmental sustainability principles into the redevelopment project.

Expansion of student accommodation. Cascina Moncucco provides 73 student accommodation places, including accessible accommodation, contributing to the university's residential capacity and supporting students relocating to Milan.

The residence also benefits from its proximity to the university campus, reducing the need for long-distance daily commuting for residents.

The redevelopment of Cascina Moncucco illustrates how historic building conservation can be combined with sustainable construction practices and the provision of student housing.

It therefore represents a concrete contribution to the regeneration of the surrounding urban environment and the more efficient use of existing building resources.

5. Campus development and the new IULM 8 Building

IULM's commitment to sustainable urban development also includes the expansion and improvement of its educational infrastructure.

A significant component of this process is the new IULM 8 building, located in Via Russoli, which represents an important addition to the university's campus facilities.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 identifies the development of an operational project for IULM 8 as a specific institutional objective.

In particular, the Plan establishes the need to define:

• An overall development and operational project for the building.
• Its future functional integration into the university's infrastructure.
• The implementation phases and timetable for its development.

The building is part of IULM's broader strategy to strengthen its infrastructure and respond to the evolving needs of its academic community.

Its development provides an opportunity to consider how new university facilities can contribute to the surrounding urban environment through improved accessibility, efficient use of space and integration with existing campus services.

The project complements IULM's wider approach to campus development, which combines investment in university infrastructure, sustainable mobility and urban accessibility.

The Strategic Plan identifies IULM 8 as a recently acquired building for which an operational development project is to be defined. Accordingly, this planning commitment should be distinguished from any construction or redevelopment works already completed.

6. Housing and urban planning partnerships with local authorities

Università IULM recognises the importance of addressing housing affordability and accommodation availability in Milan, particularly for students relocating from other Italian regions or abroad.

The university participates in institutional dialogue concerning student accommodation, including discussions involving the Municipality of Milan and other higher education institutions.

These discussions form part of broader efforts to respond to the growing demand for student housing and to improve the accessibility of accommodation within the city.

The Municipality of Milan has outlined initiatives and discussions concerning the development of student residences, reflecting the importance of cooperation between universities and local authorities in addressing housing challenges.

Collegio di Milano: Inter-university cooperation with local and regional authorities

A significant example of institutional cooperation in student housing is IULM's involvement in the Collegio di Milano initiative, an inter-university residential project established through collaboration between eight universities in Milan, the Municipality of Milan, the Lombardy Region and private organisations.

As documented on IULM's official Collegio di Milano webpage, Collegio di Milano provides a residential environment bringing together students from different universities, academic disciplines and countries, combining accommodation with an interdisciplinary cultural and educational programme.

The initiative demonstrates how universities, municipal and regional authorities, and private stakeholders can cooperate to develop shared student accommodation infrastructure and services, contributing to the wider residential needs of Milan's university population.

This initiative complements IULM's university-managed residences and external housing agreements, reinforcing its commitment to collaborative urban development, accessible student accommodation and the integration of higher education institutions within Milan's urban environment.

7. Strategic urban revitalisation projects and collaboration with local stakeholders

Beyond the physical development of its campus, Università IULM contributes to broader urban revitalisation initiatives through cooperation with other universities, local authorities, businesses and community stakeholders.

Fabbrica di Quartiere – Inter-university urban regeneration

An example is the Fabbrica di Quartiere initiative, developed in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano and other local stakeholders.

The initiative promotes an interdisciplinary approach to urban development, combining different academic perspectives to address the needs of Milan's neighbourhoods.

Its areas of interest include:

• Ecological connectivity and urban green spaces, contributing to more environmentally sustainable neighbourhoods.
• Cultural and economic revitalisation, strengthening the relationship between urban development and local communities.
• Inclusive services and community participation, supporting more accessible and socially connected urban environments.

Through these activities, IULM contributes its expertise in communication, culture and social engagement to collaborative approaches to urban development.

FILI – Tessere il Futuro della Lombardia: Stakeholder Engagement in Large-Scale Urban Regeneration (2025)

In 2025, Università IULM contributed to “FILI – Tessere il Futuro della Lombardia”, a major urban and regional regeneration programme promoted by FNM, covering approximately 2 million m² and aimed at transforming key FERROVIENORD transport hubs into more sustainable, accessible and liveable urban spaces.

The IULM research and communication project, coordinated by Professor Francesco Massara, focuses on community engagement and stakeholder consultation in the areas of Busto Arsizio, Saronno and Milano Bovisa.

Through stakeholder mapping, interviews, focus groups, surveys and participatory workshops, the project aims to identify local needs, anticipate potential concerns and inform the development of a strategic communication plan.

The initiative demonstrates IULM's contribution to participatory urban regeneration and knowledge transfer, supporting dialogue between infrastructure operators and local communities and helping integrate social perspectives into large-scale territorial development.

Strategic alignment with the university’s urban development objectives

Both Fabbrica di Quartiere and FILI – Tessere il Futuro della Lombardia demonstrate IULM's commitment to collaborative urban development through research, interdisciplinary cooperation and engagement with local communities.

These initiatives are consistent with the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which emphasises the importance of strengthening relationships with the surrounding territory and promoting opportunities for public participation.

They also demonstrate how IULM's contribution to sustainable urban development extends beyond campus infrastructure to include community engagement, knowledge transfer and collaboration on regional regeneration projects.

8. Strategic impact: collaborative planning and sustainable urban transformation

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 installations to additional university buildings, increasing the potential for on-site renewable electricity generation.
• Energy efficiency interventions aimed at improving building performance and reducing unnecessary electricity and gas consumption.
• The introduction of intelligent technologies for managing lighting, heating and air conditioning, supporting more efficient building operations.
• Water-saving technologies and awareness campaigns to promote responsible resource use.
• The progressive improvement of university infrastructure in accordance with environmental sustainability objectives.

These measures form part of IULM's broader strategy to integrate environmental sustainability into campus planning, building management and infrastructure development.

1. Cascina Moncucco – sustainable heritage restoration

An exemplary project is the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, a historic agricultural complex transformed into a university residence.

The redevelopment demonstrates how IULM combines architectural heritage conservation with sustainable building practices, preserving the historical identity of the structure while adapting it to contemporary environmental and residential standards.

The project achieved LEED Silver certification, providing internationally recognised evidence of its environmental sustainability performance.

Specific measures include:

• 50% reduction in potable water consumption through the installation of water-efficient fixtures.
• A 90 m³ rainwater collection system, designed to supply irrigation needs without relying on potable water.
• Energy efficiency improvements to building systems and infrastructure, implemented while respecting the architectural characteristics of the historic complex.
• The integration of sustainable design principles into the restoration and management of the residence.

Cascina Moncucco also contributes to the sustainable reuse of existing urban infrastructure. By restoring an established building rather than replacing it, IULM has preserved an important element of Milan's architectural heritage while creating accommodation for students.

The project therefore combines environmental sustainability, heritage preservation, accessibility and responsible urban development, demonstrating IULM's commitment to renovating infrastructure according to recognised sustainability standards.

2. IULM 8 – sustainable campus development

The development of IULM 8, located in Via Russoli, represents an important component of the university's infrastructure strategy.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 identifies the definition of an operational development project for the recently acquired building as a specific institutional priority.

This project forms part of IULM's broader commitment to improving university infrastructure while integrating environmental sustainability into campus development.

The Plan establishes several environmental objectives relevant to the future development and management of university buildings, including:

• Expansion of photovoltaic installations, supporting greater on-site renewable electricity generation.
• Integration of intelligent building technologies, particularly for lighting and climate-control systems.
• Improvement of energy efficiency, with measures intended to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
• Reduction of water consumption, through technological interventions and responsible resource management.

These priorities provide a strategic framework for the sustainable development of IULM's infrastructure, including the planning of IULM 8.

The project also contributes to the university's wider objective of improving the functionality and accessibility of its campus facilities while supporting the long-term needs of its academic community.

The Strategic Plan identifies IULM 8 as a development project rather than a completed sustainable building. Its environmental performance and the implementation of specific technologies should therefore be assessed against the approved design and subsequent construction documentation.

3. Campus-wide energy efficiency and progressive electrification of heating

Università IULM is pursuing a progressive transition towards more energy-efficient building systems, with particular attention to reducing dependence on fossil fuels for heating.

An important component of this strategy is the gradual replacement of conventional gas-fired heating with electricity-powered heat pump systems, wherever technically feasible.

Heat pumps provide a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional gas boilers and support the progressive electrification of building heating and climate-control systems.

The university has increasingly prioritised heat pump heating systems over conventional gas boilers, using gas-fired systems primarily when required by technical conditions, maintenance needs or particularly low outdoor temperatures.

The transition represents an important component of IULM's broader approach to improving building energy performance and reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based heating.

4. Energy consumption monitoring and 2025 results

IULM systematically monitors its energy consumption, through the preparation of periodic analyses of electricity, natural gas and district heating use across the university's buildings.

The main findings include:

• Natural gas consumption decreased by approximately 7% compared with 2024, reflecting the university's increasing use of electric heat pumps instead of conventional gas boilers.
• The analysis identified opportunities to improve energy management, consumption monitoring and the operational efficiency of building systems.

These results highlight the importance of evaluating energy performance across different energy sources rather than considering electricity or gas consumption separately.

The reduction in gas consumption represents progress towards less fossil-fuel-dependent heating, while the increase in electricity demand reinforces the need for continued investment in energy efficiency and improved building management.

5. Intelligent building management and energy efficiency improvements

In addition to the progressive electrification of heating systems, IULM's sustainability strategy includes measures to improve the efficiency of existing university buildings.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 explicitly identifies the introduction of intelligent technologies for controlling lighting and air-conditioning systems as part of the university's environmental objectives.

These technologies are intended to improve the management of energy-intensive building services and support more efficient use of resources, such as the development of a centralised energy management and monitoring system, capable of distinguishing consumption by building and by major categories of use, including:

• Lighting systems, to identify opportunities for reducing unnecessary electricity consumption.
• Heating and air-conditioning systems, to improve operational efficiency and optimise energy demand.
• Other electrical equipment and building services, to identify potential inefficiencies and avoidable consumption.

The report also identifies the importance of monitoring electricity consumption outside normal operating hours, particularly where significant demand may indicate opportunities for operational improvements.

These recommendations complement the Strategic Plan's objectives and provide a technical basis for future investments in smart building management, energy efficiency and resource optimisation.

The implementation of such measures would support a more systematic approach to managing the environmental performance of university infrastructure.

6. Renewable energy and photovoltaic expansion

Università IULM's commitment to sustainable infrastructure also includes the progressive expansion of renewable energy generation.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 identifies the extension of photovoltaic installations to additional university buildings as a priority for reducing the campus's environmental footprint.

The objective is to increase the share of electricity generated directly by the university, contributing to a more sustainable energy supply.

This strategy is particularly relevant in the context of IULM's progressive electrification of heating systems, which increases the importance of improving the sustainability of electricity consumption.

The combination of renewable electricity generation, efficient heat pump systems and improved building management provides a strategic approach to reducing the environmental impact of university infrastructure.

The expansion of photovoltaic capacity remains an institutional development objective, and its contribution to energy production will depend on the installation and operation of additional systems.

7. Water efficiency and responsible resource management

Water conservation represents another important component of IULM's sustainable building strategy.

The university's commitment is demonstrated by the Cascina Moncucco restoration, where water-efficient fixtures and rainwater collection technologies were integrated into the redevelopment project.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 further identifies water-saving interventions and awareness initiatives as institutional priorities.

By combining water-efficient infrastructure, consumption monitoring and responsible resource management, IULM aims to progressively reduce the environmental impact of its campus operations.

8. Promoting Energy-Saving Behaviour Across the University Community

IULM complements its infrastructure and energy management objectives with initiatives encouraging responsible energy consumption among students, academic staff and employees.

IULM published a Practical Guide to Energy-Saving Actions, providing recommendations to support more sustainable everyday practices.

The initiative promotes awareness of the environmental impact of energy consumption and encourages the university community to contribute to more efficient resource use.

By combining technical interventions with behavioural awareness, IULM recognises that sustainable building management requires both efficient infrastructure and the active participation of building users.

This approach complements the university's longer-term objectives concerning energy efficiency, renewable energy and responsible resource management.

9. Strategic impact: sustainable infrastructure and environmental responsibility

Università IULM's commitment to sustainable infrastructure is demonstrated through the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, the strategic development of IULM 8, the progressive electrification of heating systems and the systematic monitoring of campus energy consumption.

These initiatives reflect a coordinated approach to integrating sustainability into the planning, renovation and management of university buildings. Through these measures, IULM demonstrates its commitment to sustainable building renovation, improved energy management, renewable energy development and the preservation of architectural heritage.

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.

1. Urban Regeneration of the Barona District

Università IULM's campus development represents an example of urban regeneration through the redevelopment of previously developed and underutilised land.

When IULM established its campus in Milan's Barona district, the surrounding area was characterised by former industrial activities and underused urban spaces. Over the following decades, the university contributed to the transformation of the neighbourhood into an accessible environment integrating educational facilities, cultural infrastructure, pedestrian areas and green spaces.

Rather than pursuing development exclusively on previously undeveloped land, IULM has progressively expanded and improved its campus through the redevelopment, restoration and adaptive reuse of existing urban sites.

Key interventions include the development of university buildings, the pedestrianisation of Via Carlo Bo, the creation of landscaped areas and the restoration of historic structures.

Particularly significant is the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, a green space covering approximately 10,000 m², which contributes to the environmental quality of the campus and provides opportunities for recreation and social interaction. Further information is available in the university's announcement concerning the Baridon Garden.

The university has also developed cultural facilities accessible to the wider community, strengthening the relationship between the campus and its surrounding neighbourhood.

These interventions demonstrate how the redevelopment of previously developed urban areas can contribute to more sustainable land use, improved accessibility and the revitalisation of existing neighbourhoods.

IULM's commitment to the Barona district is also recognised in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the university's contribution to the regeneration of the surrounding urban area and promotes further integration between the campus and the city.

2. Cascina Moncucco – adaptive reuse of a historic building

A flagship example of IULM's commitment to regenerating previously developed sites is the restoration of Cascina Moncucco, a historic farmhouse that had fallen into disrepair and was subsequently transformed into a modern university residence.

Rather than demolishing the existing structure, IULM invested in its architectural restoration and adaptive reuse, preserving the building's historical identity while introducing contemporary residential facilities and environmental sustainability measures.

The project achieved LEED Silver certification, demonstrating the application of internationally recognised sustainable building standards.

The restoration incorporated several environmental improvements, including:

• Water-efficient fixtures, reducing potable water consumption by approximately 50%.
• A 90 m³ rainwater collection system, supplying water for irrigation.
• Energy efficiency improvements to the building's infrastructure and technical systems.
• The preservation and reuse of the existing architectural structure, limiting the need for entirely new construction.

The restored complex now provides 73 student accommodation places, contributing to the university's residential capacity and supporting students relocating to Milan.

The project was developed with support from public institutions, including the Ministry of Education, the Lombardy Region and the Municipality of Milan, demonstrating the importance of institutional cooperation in the recovery of existing urban heritage.

Cascina Moncucco illustrates how previously developed and underused sites can be transformed into functional, environmentally responsible infrastructure, combining heritage conservation with contemporary social needs.

3. IULM 6 – redevelopment of previously developed urban land

Another important example of IULM's campus regeneration strategy is IULM 6, developed as part of the university's expansion within the Barona district.

The building contributes to the transformation of a previously developed urban area into a multifunctional academic and cultural facility, supporting the university's educational activities and its relationship with the surrounding community.

Its development reflects IULM's broader approach to reusing urban land and integrating new university infrastructure into an established metropolitan environment.

IULM 6 provides spaces for academic, cultural and institutional activities, contributing to the concentration of university functions within the existing campus.

This approach supports more efficient land use by strengthening educational infrastructure within an already urbanised area rather than encouraging dispersed development.

The building also forms part of the university's wider network of pedestrian-accessible facilities, reinforcing the connection between academic spaces, public areas and sustainable transport infrastructure.

Together with other campus developments, IULM 6 illustrates the university's long-term contribution to the regeneration and functional improvement of previously developed urban land.

4. IULM 8 – continued ldevelopment within the existing urban fabric

IULM's commitment to sustainable campus development continues through the acquisition and planned development of IULM 8, located in Via Russoli.

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027 identifies the definition of an operational development project for this recently acquired building as a specific institutional priority.

The project involves the future integration of an existing building into the university's infrastructure, contributing to the consolidation of campus activities within Milan's established urban fabric.

The Strategic Plan also establishes broader objectives concerning:

• Improving the environmental performance of university buildings.
• Expanding photovoltaic installations across additional campus facilities.
• Introducing intelligent technologies for lighting and climate-control systems.
• Reducing the environmental footprint of university operations.

These priorities provide a framework for considering sustainability in future infrastructure development.

The acquisition of IULM 8 demonstrates the university's continued investment in the adaptation and improvement of existing urban infrastructure, consistent with its broader approach to sustainable campus expansion.

As the operational development project remains a strategic planning commitment, the building should not yet be presented as a completed sustainable redevelopment.

5. Sustainable land use, green spaces and pedestrian accessibility

The regeneration of previously developed land at IULM has been accompanied by investments in green infrastructure and pedestrian-oriented campus design.

The university's main buildings are connected by Via Carlo Bo, a fully pedestrianised street closed to regular motor vehicle traffic.

This central pedestrian route supports safe movement between university facilities and contributes to the integration of the campus with the surrounding neighbourhood.

The development of the Silvio Federico Baridon Garden, together with landscaped areas, pedestrian connections and outdoor cultural spaces, has further improved the environmental and social quality of the campus.

These interventions demonstrate that IULM's approach to urban regeneration extends beyond the construction or renovation of buildings.

The university seeks to create an integrated environment combining:

• Efficient use of previously developed urban land.
• Accessible pedestrian connections between university facilities.
• Green spaces supporting recreation and community interaction.
• Publicly accessible cultural infrastructure, strengthening the relationship between the university and the city.

The campus's proximity to Romolo metro and railway station also supports access through public transport, helping integrate university development with Milan's existing transport network.

Through these measures, IULM contributes to the development of a more accessible, connected and environmentally responsible urban environment.

6. Strategic commitment to sustainable urban regeneration

IULM's approach to brownfield redevelopment is consistent with the objectives established in its Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies environmental sustainability, infrastructure development and territorial engagement as institutional priorities.

The Plan recognises the university's contribution to the regeneration of the Barona district and promotes further integration between academic facilities, cultural spaces and the surrounding community.

Its environmental objectives include improving energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy generation and introducing more intelligent building management systems.

These priorities complement the university's existing regeneration projects by supporting the long-term environmental sustainability of buildings developed or restored within previously urbanised areas.

The university's wider infrastructure strategy also includes the progressive modernisation of building systems, including the transition towards more efficient electricity-powered heating technologies.

By combining adaptive reuse, infrastructure modernisation, environmental efficiency and community accessibility, IULM demonstrates a comprehensive approach to the sustainable management of its urban campus.

7. Strategic Impact

Through its commitment to brownfield regeneration and the adaptive reuse of existing urban spaces, Università IULM promotes sustainable land use, environmental responsibility and inclusive urban development.