At Expo Osaka, MUSA presents the Milan model with “4UniverCity Futures – The City of the Future”, a day of international discussions focused on the strategic role of university districts in urban regeneration, with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and academic cooperation.

At Expo 2025 Osaka, a two-day event is dedicated to the strategic role of university neighborhoods in urban regeneration processes. The initiative will open with “4UniverCity Futures – The City of the Future: Designing and Transforming University Neighborhoods”, promoted by MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action, which places Milan at the center of an international dialogue on new models of sustainable urban development.

The event will take place at the Auditorium of the Italy Pavilion and marks the first in a series of sessions exploring how university districts can evolve into true laboratories of innovation, inclusion, and sustainability. Leading the way is Milan, the flagship city of the MUSA project and a symbol of integrated, forward-thinking urban regeneration.

PROGRAM – May 30, 2025

Chair and Moderator:
Gabriella Pasi, Vice-Rector for International Relations – University of Milano-Bicocca

2:30 PM – Institutional Greetings

  • Giovanna Iannantuoni, CRUI President, Rector of the University of Milano-Bicocca, President of MUSA

  • Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025

3:00 PM – Roundtable
“Academic Innovation for Inclusive, International, Connected and Sustainable Universities”

Chair and Moderator:
Gabriella Pasi, Vice-Rector for International Relations – University of Milano-Bicocca

Speakers:

  • Alessandro Fermi, Councillor for University, Research and Innovation – Lombardy Region

  • Fabio Bottero, Deputy Mayor of Milan for Public Housing [online]

  • Paola Catenaccio, Vice-Rector for Internationalization – University of Milan

  • Emilio Faroldi, Executive Vice-Rector – Politecnico di Milano

  • Francesco Saita, Dean for International Affairs – Bocconi University

  • Gabriella Pasi, Vice-Rector for International Relations – University of Milano-Bicocca

4:00 PM – Coffee Break

4:15 PM – Roundtable
“The MUSA Project for the Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability of Milan’s University Districts”

Chair and Moderator:
Salvatore Torrisi, Vice-Rector for Research Valorization – University of Milano-Bicocca, Scientific Coordinator of MUSA

Speakers:

  • Salvatore Torrisi, Scientific Coordinator – MUSA

  • Vittorio Biondi, General Manager – MUSA

  • Ernesto Damiani, Spoke 2 Leader – University of Milan

  • Edoardo Croci, Spoke 1 Leader – Bocconi University

  • Andrea Sianesi, Project Coordinator – Politecnico di Milano