Public private partnerships. New Ventures for Social Bond

The third international panel of Utopian Hours addresses a complex topic and does so by bringing together the points of view of frontline actors in urban transformation and decision-making processes.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) offer the possibility to realise ambitious projects that would otherwise be unattainable. In several areas of the world, PPPs have been fundamental for financing housing and urban infrastructure projects since the early 1990s. They are highly effective tools for reducing costs, effectively distributing risks and accelerating the implementation of development plans.

However, there are criticisms and question marks, as well: How can a balance be found between innovation and safeguarding collective interests, ensuring that financial risks and political priorities do not jeopardise local communities?

Richard Upton (Are You?), Alberto Anfossi (General Secretary of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo), Reto Bürgin (Davos Alliance Baukultur) and Marta Stella (Borio Mangiarotti) will be interviewed by Bloomberg CityLab editor David Dudley. In this panel we will try to trace an evolution of the modern urban landscape in which PPPs can shape cities that are not only sustainable and efficient, but also responsive to the needs of their inhabitants.