Utopian Hours / Milan edition is the Milanese edition of the international festival of city making: the ideas, projects, and places that are improving life in cities around the world
The event for all city lovers
The key actors in the global debate on the future of cities, in Milan
International speakers
Boston • New York • Londra • Freetown • Dubai • Philadelphia • Bruxelles • Rotterdam • Bratislava • Washington DC • Berlino • Miami • Jakarta • Tallinn • Copenaghen • Teheran • Parigi • Johannesburg • Manchester • Amsterdam • Marsiglia • Palo Alto • Lubiana • Zurigo • Bangkok • Hong Kong • Detroit • L’Aia • Denver • Montreal • Helsinki • Toronto • Praga • Basilea • Oslo • Barcellona • Arcosanti • Los Angeles • Mumbai • Brisbane • Tel Aviv • Lisbona • Monaco • Vienna
Milan Edition: the second edition of Utopian Hours in Milan anticipates the Turin festival in October 2025. The theme: a reflection on the centrality of major cities in the drive toward the future. Never before have global cities driven progress, showing signs of unity in an increasingly fragmented international context.
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The panels and in-depth discussions of Utopian Hours / Milan Edition
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Setting the stage
A dialogue with different voices starting from the insights gathered in the last two editions of Utopian Hours. Inspired by the keywords of 50 international experts, a shared reflection on Milan’s present. With:
— Carlo Antonelli / Journalist and movie producer
— Andrea Cherchi / Semplicemente Milano
— Claudio Nelli / Urbanfile
— Caterina Sarfatti / C40
— Roberto Vignola / Fondazione CESVI – ETS -
Deep Dive
An in-depth discussion dedicated to transitional uses curated by Fondazione Cariplo and
KCity to reconstruct the three-year journey of the call Spazi in trasformazione.
An opportunity to delve into the innovative method that has been applied and the 11 projects implemented, and
present a preview of the publications dedicated to the experience. With:
— Intro: Alessia Maccaferri (Il Sole 24 ore) / Lorenza Gazzerro (Fondazione Cariplo)
— Session 1: Paolo Cottino (KCity)
— Session 2: Giorgio De Ambrogio (KCity) converse with Sam Rosenzweig (Communa)
— Panel: Camilla Cerrina Feroni (Comune di Livorno) / Serena Sgallari (Regione Emilia Romagna) / Claudio Turrini (CREW Cremonesi Workshop) / Irene Valotti (Fondazione Caterina Dallara) / Alberto Zanobini (Regione Toscana)
— Conclusions: Giacomo Biraghi & Luca Ballarini (Stratosferica) / Laura Galassi (Fondazione Cariplo) -
Panel
Lombardini22 launches a reflection among institutions, companies and policy makers on new housing policies and challenges. From Milan to Europe between experimentations and new approaches. With:
— Andrea De Maio / Investire SGR
— Giordana Ferri / FHS – Fondazione Housing Sociale
— Juri Franzosi / Lombardini22
— Carlo Masseroli / Loc – Loreto Open Community
— Giorgio Mosci / Homes4All -
Greetings
The new Territorial Government Plan and the Neighborhood Atlas guide a shared vision for a more accessible, sustainable and future-ready Milan, starting with the specificities of each area. With:
— Giancarlo Tancredi / Assessore alla Rigenerazione Urbana Comune di Milano
— Matteo Motti / Assessorato alla Rigenerazione Urbana Comune di Milano
The Urbanites’ Fair
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Getting to know the city's storytellers
The programme of Utopian Hours / Milan Edition also includes The Urbanites’ Fair, the space dedicated to some of the best independent Milanese organisations involved in urban culture and dissemination.
A space for magazines, publishers, collectives, informal networks, associations and content creators.
With: Tafferuglio Magazine / AEdicola Lambrate / Forestami / Urban Pills / The Passenger / Base Milano / Scomodo / Mare Culturale Urbano
Utopian Hours 2025 / Milan Edition thanks to:
La venue di Utopian Hours / Milan Edition
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Fabbrica del Vapore
La Fabbrica del Vapore è il cuore pulsante di Milano per arte, cultura e giovani talenti. Un’ex area industriale rinata come spazio di eventi, laboratori e innovazione.
Dicono del festival
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“Utopian Hours brings together an eclectic and diverse group of practitioners, thinkers, and doers who all share one thing in common: a love of cities. The camaraderie and energy throughout the conference are constant reminders of just how small the world is and the work to make cities more inclusive, sustainable, vibrant places is truly a global collective endeavor.”
Ya-Ting Liu /
Chief Public Realm Officer - New York City -
“Such a great festival, Utopian Hours! I was lucky enough to be invited to speak alongside some of the most inspirational and impactful thinkers in City Making. I highly recommend everyone attend in 2025.”
Matt Grunbaum /
Field Operations -
“Experiencing Utopian Hours is something special-the beautifully curated line-up of speakers, the seamless organization, thoughtful branding, top- tier production, and the inspiring community all come together to create an unforgettable event. Truly blown away!”
Nadina Galle /
The Nature of Our Cities -
“Utopian Hours facilitates an exciting cross-pollination of inspiring ideas on urban development, approached from different disciplines and backgrounds. It demonstrates that sustainability and social inclusion are crucial to achieving a livable, future-oriented city.”
Nick Hannes /
Photojournalist and documentary photographer -
“I was lucky enough to spend the weekend in Torino for Utopian Hours—one of the most exciting city-making festivals in the world.”
Sarah Castle /
IF_DO -
“Better cities can only emerge when we truly listen to one another: Utopian Hours is a powerful platform, bridging top architects and planners with grassroots leaders, proving there are diverse ways to make a meaningful impact.”
Januus Juss /
Telliskivi Creative City -
“Utopian Hours is the festival to go to if looking to be inspired by and get immersed in the many dimensions of urban transition and to make new friends”
Roland Kager /
Studio Bereikbaar
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