This article was originally published on Domus 1031, january 2019 issue.
An unusual mayor for an unusual city, Giuseppe “Beppe” Sala is a company executive temporarily turned politician. His administration reflects expertise in the spheres of finance valuation, strategic planning and business development.
Sala is the man who must be credited with the success of Expo 2015. Before that he was appointed city manager by the former Mayor of Milan Letizia Moratti back in 2009, leading him to work for 18 months on the strategic renovation of Lombardy’s highly strategic capital: the least Italian and most European of all Italian cities.
On 21 June 2016 Sala took office as Mayor of Milan, the city he describes to Domus in this conversation.
What is Milan for you?
Milan is a contemporary city that’s open and international in every respect. It has a firm grasp of its present and successfully interprets it through diverse fields – fashion, design, architecture, food, culture and business. And it does so with style and creativity, never overlooking matters such as civil rights and solidarity.
What kind of city did you inherit? And what kind of city would you like to hand over?
When I was elected Mayor in 2016, Milan was a proud city that was aware of its value. It was determined to grow in all sorts of ways. I believe that this positive outlook, which many have dubbed “Milan’s Renaissance”, can be credited to the success of Expo 2015 and Milan’s great performance in terms of hospitality during the six months of that event. I think another factor was also the fruitful collaboration between the city’s various players – institutions, associations, companies and citizens – which over the years have each found their own ways of participating in the city’s development. Milan aspires to be a leading city; we can’t just settle for an efficient city. That’s why my administration aims to strengthen Milan’s international and national position, continuing along this path and enhancing it with new initiatives that can uphold the city’s worldwide standing in many spheres: environmental policies, innovation, human rights...
What are Milan’s problems?
There are a couple of areas in particular that require increasing attention. For example, environmental issues and a better balance of living conditions between the city centre and the outskirts.
How do you plan to tackle them?
With a practical and serious approach, that’s for sure. With our “Piano Case” (“Housing Plan”) and “Piano Quartieri” (“Neighbourhoods Plan”) we’re striving to meet our “no empty houses” objective. At the same time we’re promoting and carrying out public interventions as well as public-interest urban projects implemented by private companies in every district, for a total 1.6 billion euros. These projects, together with the initiatives already underway to counter air pollution, clearly reflect our determination.
Being an open and international city also means being able to welcome those who leave their country to escape war, or who come here to build a better future for themselves and their families. This quality is one of the strong points of Milan, where 19 per cent of the population has foreign origins, compared to 9 per cent on a national level.
And what about pollution?
We’re working on different fronts to improve Milan’s air quality. Our goal is to free the city of diesel vehicles by 2025. To this end, starting next spring, Milan will become a no-entry zone for Euro 0, 1, 2 and 3 vehicles from Monday to Friday. This will create a huge Low Emission Zone which we’ll call “Area B”. In time, this limitation will also be extended to Euro 4 vehicles, and eventually to Euro 5 diesel vehicles by 2025. To enforce this target, 188 video cameras will be placed around the city’s entry points. Additionally, over the next seven years, our subsidiary public transport company ATM has agreed to invest 2 billion euros to replace all existing buses with electrical ones. We’re also supporting car and bicycle sharing and we’re completing the M4 underground railway line to connect Linate Airport to the city.
What about traffic congestion?
The introduction of “Area B” will also have the result of reducing the number of vehicles in the city. This reduction will also be aided by improvements to the underground system, including the previously mentioned lengthening of the M4 line, as well as the extension of the M5 line all the way to Monza, whose funding was recently confirmed by the Italian Government. The wider area covered by the subway will significantly reduce the volume of cars on the city’s roads. In addition, we’re investing in sustainable mobility with more 30-kilomtre-per- hour speed-limit zones. This somewhat revolutionises the idea that traffic should only be limited in the old city centre, and instead extends the limit to all areas of Milan, where there will also be more and more liveable squares. This type of project has already been experimentally tested in Piazza San Luigi (Corso Lodi), Piazza Angilberto II (Corvetto) and Piazza Dergano.
Is there an immigration issue?
Being an open and international city also means being able to welcome those who leave their country to escape war, or who come here to build a better future for themselves and their families. This quality is one of the strong points of Milan, where 19 per cent of the population has foreign origins, compared to 9 per cent on a national level. We have to be aware that our city would grind to a halt without immigrants. This is partly why a national plan is needed to implement social and inclusive policies that allow immigrants to contribute to their host city’s growth.
Is Milan still known for its solidarity?
Yes. The old saying “Milano con il cuore in mano” (“Milan with its heart in its hand”) is still true. Milan is Europe’s capital of volunteering, with over 240,000 volunteers operating in the Metropolitan City area. Milan is home to one fifth of all registered associations in Lombardy. But apart from the numbers, what makes the difference is people’s determination not to leave behind those who are weaker and less fortunate. This is a shared feeling that shines through in Archbishop Delpini’s intention to organise a “secular synod”, which represents an extraordinary opportunity to meet the city’s demands for reception and solidarity towards immigrants.
What trajectories are you working on for Milan’s development?
On one hand, the development of Milan presently translates into its urban expansion, with initiatives that will change its appearance, such as the conversion of former rail yards and the reopening of the Navigli canals. Another direction is the city’s capacity to attract tourism and foreign investment. To this end, together with the Chamber of Commerce, we have founded the Smart City association, whose mission is to work towards Milan’s international development by establishing collaborations between public and private institutions operating in the city’s area.
Is Milan an Italian or a European city?
Milan is certainly a European city. It’s open, innovative, environmentally aware and has a top-level cultural offering. In terms of attractive power, it can compete with all European capitals even though it’s not a capital.
What kind of relation is there between Milan and Rome?
If by Rome you mean the Government, Milan is certainly a key interlocutor in terms of national growth, precisely because of its ability to attract investors.
Milan has a prestige that all Italy can benefit from. If instead you’re referring to Rome the capital, I’d say that Milan and Rome are two complex cities with specific characteristics that aren’t always comparable.
Milan is in step with the times and it’s definitely the city for anyone who wants to prove their worth.
Do you feel an affinity with other mayors around the world? And if so, why?
Milan is part of international networks, so I’m constantly in contact with the mayors of important cities worldwide, including the Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, just to mention a few. I share ideals and battles with them, such as initiatives to deal with climate change and migrant reception.
What would say to convince someone to come from abroad and live in Milan?
Milan is experiencing a very lively period at the moment.
It’s an efficient city with well- organised services, and it has so much refined and contemporary culture to offer. Milan can be welcoming, entertaining and fun, and it also offers opportunities to further one’s education.
Milan is in step with the times and it’s definitely the city for anyone who wants to prove their worth.
Opening picture: Francesco Radino, Scalo Porta Romana, 2018.