Italian military real estate assets re-use issues and opportunities in three capital cities

Abstract

The article, through a number of case studies, aims at exploring difficulties and opportunities affecting Italian military real estate assets re-use and, also, at developing an analysis of 1990s and 2000s military assets management. After an introduction of the theme, it will critically analyze the connection between legislative framework (divide it into two periods, firstly, between 1989 and 2013 and, secondly, starting from 2014) and reuse procedures, delineating the relationship between the actors involved in the process, such as Ministry of Defense, State Property Agency, and local authorities. Afterwards, it will focus the attention on three case studies of military installations re-use processes in the Italian capital cities of Milan, Rome, and Turin, investigating a “new” actor task in the procedures, real estate fund “Investment facility for the enhancement of public assets - Extra Fund (F.I.V.)”, belonging to Investment Management Company “Cassa Depositi e Prestiti”. The paper demonstrates, on one hand, Italian public policies inertia to link military properties alienation and urban regeneration issues and, on the other hand, opportunities in a context of public financial crisis.