Urban Manufacturing: analysis of Milan case study

Abstract

Urban manufacturing is a concept of new interest in the academic world. In the past ten years we observed a new interest in artisanal and manufacturing realities in different areas of the world. The observations started from the United States and spread across the world. With time, scholars detected a concentration of initiatives regarding both traditional craftsmanship and innovative manufacturing in the main cities of the world. Every city or country is now trying a different approach and lead a transformation that offers the chances to create employment and social equality in big metropolitan areas. The most outstanding case study regards New York, but more observations are now focusing on European cities. In this scenario, Milan is trying to earn a spot. The city holds knowledges and skills as well as many innovative initiatives within it. For this reason, the city hall is interested in the topic of urban manufacturing, trying to find the right model for Milan as artisanal and manufacturing city. Within this thesis, we will explore the different realities present in the city, starting from master craftsmen, who hold a long tradition and are the flag of Made in Italy. Alongside with them, other realities present traditional Made in Italy characteristics as well as innovative approaches to design, use of technology and commercialization of the product, in order to understand which are the next suitable actions for development.