The renewed Piazza della Scienza at the heart of the University of Milano-Bicocca was inaugurated today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Rector Giovanna Iannantuoni, in the presence of Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region, and Giancarlo Tancredi, Milan’s Councillor for Urban Regeneration. Designed to foster functional biodiversity, the area features green spaces aimed at reducing urban heat islands, enhancing the ability to capture atmospheric pollutants, and attracting pollinating insects through a selection of plants with staggered flowering periods.
"We have returned this space to students, the academic community of Milan-Bicocca, and the broader public," explained Rector Giovanna Iannantuoni. "Professors, researchers, fellows, and doctoral students collaborated on its regeneration, guided by principles of environmental improvement, biodiversity enhancement, and human well-being. It will also function as an open-air laboratory, equipped with sensors to monitor noise pollution, detect particulate matter, and assess the impact of airborne pollutants using biological sensors. Additionally, insect movements will be tracked, with connectivity to nearby green areas specifically designed to facilitate this."
This event marked the beginning of the inauguration day for the 2024-2025 Academic Year, followed by an official ceremony in the university’s main hall. Attendees included Alessandro Morelli, Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Milan’s Mayor Giuseppe Sala, and urban planner Carlos Moreno, who delivered a keynote lecture titled “Proximity and Urban Regeneration: 15-Minute Cities for a More Inclusive Future.”
Mayor Sala praised the university’s achievements: "In just over 25 years, Bicocca has become a leading academic institution, thanks to its innovative projects and strategic, often international, collaborations. The study underpinning the regeneration of Piazza della Scienza exemplifies the thoughtful, competent, forward-thinking approach Bicocca brings to all its initiatives. It’s a method rooted in precision and sensitivity to global developments, which the university imparts to its students and young researchers."
Attilio Fontana highlighted the collaboration between institutions: "The project to regenerate Piazza della Scienza, funded by the Lombardy Region alongside the Ministry of University and Research, aims to renew the area with measures promoting environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation. The Region has committed to developing innovative infrastructures, and this square becomes a 'living lab' for the university, equipped with cutting-edge technologies for sustainable urban planning."
A Laboratory for Learning and Freedom
The new space symbolises freedom—not only of movement but also of learning, discovery, and self-expression. Rector Iannantuoni shared her aspirations for the university community: "Freedom is the most fertile ground for knowledge to grow, and it is knowledge that ultimately sets us free, as Socrates reminds us every day."
She also reflected on the university’s growth: Bicocca, Milan’s youngest public university, now boasts 40,000 enrolled students, an 11% increase in the past five years, with rising numbers of international students. Its academic offerings include 80 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, 12 of which are taught in English. Bicocca also leads in graduate employability, with 80% of bachelor’s graduates and 82% of master’s graduates employed within a year, outperforming national averages.
Postgraduate opportunities continue to expand, with 22 doctoral programmes, 39 specialisation schools (37 in medicine, two in psychology), and 88 advanced training courses, a 44% increase since 2022. Over 2,000 students and 850 faculty members are involved in advanced training, with growing participation from working students in first- and second-level master’s programmes.
Global Engagement and Cutting-Edge Research
Bicocca is increasingly global, with rising numbers of incoming and outgoing students. The university’s BRIDGE project (Bicocca Research and Innovation for Development and Global Health) offers medical students, nurses, midwives, and specialists the chance to train at one of the leading non-profit healthcare centres in sub-Saharan Africa, the Lacor Hospital in Uganda, where Bicocca established an outpost in September.
Bicocca’s research is thriving, with 541 projects initiated in the past five years, totalling €158 million. The university’s 307 major research facilities, 200 of which are accessible to external organisations, have strengthened its ability to meet research demands and foster synergies with the region.
Carlos Moreno’s Vision for 15-Minute Cities
Urbanist Carlos Moreno concluded the ceremony with a compelling lecture on his concept of the 15-minute city, a model of urban development where residents can access essential services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. "Dramatic events like the recent floods in Valencia underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift in urban planning," said Moreno. "Providing essential services such as education, healthcare, food, and green spaces in polycentric, interconnected 'short-distance cities' redefines urban spaces, making them more equitable, accessible, and inclusive."
Moreno’s vision aligns with the principles of proximity and circularity highlighted at the recent World Urban Forum. "This revolution in proximity is not only a response to environmental challenges but also a driver of urban regeneration and social inclusion. We are at the heart of this transformation, and we must commit to making it a reality."
Materials, photos, and videos from the event can be accessed via this link.