The University and the City

Abstract

Drawing from the results of a recent research project, this article seeks to reconstruct the logic and effect of the ongoing relocation processes of strategic urban functions, such as the university, within the specific spatial, social, economic, and institutional context of the Milan region. The paper argues that it is possible to interpret the new geographies of the city–university relationship as both the cause and effect of an emerging post-metropolitan condition (Soja 2011). At the same time, it shows that this relationship, although challenged and stressed over time, has nevertheless remained significant and indeed has played an important role in the production and reproduction of forms of “cityness” (Sennet 2007) and urbanity (Keil, Addie 2012).

Acknowledgement

Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5 by Emanuele Garda; figures 3 and 6 by Anna Moro.

Notes

1 In order to contribute to an updated representation of this still unexplored relationship in the literature, researchers have produced different materials, collected and published them in a book edited by Alessandro Balducci, Francesca Cognetti and Valeria Fedeli, Milano, città-università. Storia, geografia e politiche delle università milanesi, AIM, Milano 2010.

• A quantitative and qualitative picture: a) a collection of data and production of maps with a quantitative approach to the representation of the phenomenon, with special attention to the selection and production of some indicators for the assessment and description of the multidisciplinary nature of the university system (seats, students, staff, courses, internationalization, etc.); b) a collection of data and images for a qualitative approach. In order to describe some dimensions of the phenomena, research investigated the practices and actors of the university world within the city. In addition to that, they collected qualitative data with a survey involving students of all main Milan universities.

• Case studies of innovation processes in the relationship between cities and universities: The research project has produced a series of short case studies on the main Milan universities, with four main research focuses, regarding the role played by universities in the local context with respect to the production of knowledge and human capital, technology transfer, internationalization, and urban transformation. Cases explore the universities strategies and rationales, the processes they are engaged in and with what results. Short texts produced by university rectors or delegates comment upon the above-mentioned research questions with regard to the current strategies and histories of their institutions.

• Emerging key issues and challenges: The research project is completed by a series of insider perspectives produced by different Italian experts in the field or locally relevant actors, who have been asked to produce critical contributions, or main stakeholders who raise critical contributions with respect to the changing relationship between cities and universities, with reference to the Milan case, but also in a broader perspective.

2 Only one new private university was founded: the IULM (Istituto Universitario di Lingue Moderne) in 1968 as a modern language institute in order to satisfy the growing demand for such skills on the job market.

Additional information

Alessandro Balducci, Architect and PhD in Planning, is Vice-rector of the Politecnico di Milano. Full professor of Planning and Urban Policies, former Head of the Department of Architecture and Planning (2001–2008); past President of AESOP, Association of the European Schools of Planning (2001–2004), among the founding members of EURA, European Urban Research Association, and currently Chair of the SIU (Italian Society of Urbanists). He has been responsible of European and National research projects, as well as in several planning processes in urban regions (Milan, Shanghai, Dubai). Author/editor of 12 books, and of more than 100 articles and essays in Italian and English.

Valeria Fedeli, Architect and PhD in Planning and Public policies (2001), is Researcher and Assistant professor at the Department of Architecture and Planning, Politecnico di Milano, since 2007. Post-doc research fellow at Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Paris in 2003. She is national vice-representative in COREP, Committee of Representative of AESOP; member of EURA Advisory Board. She teaches Bachelor courses in “Urban Analysis”, “Social and urban analysis” and “Planning tools”. Her research activities focus on governance, metropolitan and territorial planning, strategic planning. Author/editor of 9 books, and of more than 30 articles and essays in Italian and English.