A Vision for Mantova: The Future Lives Here
Affordable housing becomes the critical issue across the continent. It affects both the large metropolises and the smaller cities, especially those in the areas of developing tourism. That’s why social housing programmes are becoming cornerstones of city strategies to attract and retain residents. One such example shared within the network is the story of Mantova, Italy, where the city has launched a forward-thinking project called The Future Lives Here. The project was presented to the network on the transnational meeting in Mangualde.
Mantova, a historic city renowned for its UNESCO-protected architecture, has not been immune to the population pressures affecting Europe’s smaller cities, such as aging demographic and falling birth rate. Moreover, the old house stock and the high renovation costs push young families and new residents to live outside the city centre or in nearby municipalities. To invert this trend, in 2024 the municipality launched The Future Lives Here (Il Futuro Abita Qui), an ambitious affordable housing project aimed at revitalizing its urban population. The initiative consists of two main calls:
Welcome to the City
This measure provides financial support to individuals and families relocating to Mantova. Participants renting on the open market or through the city’s Social Housing Service (SAS) are eligible for a monthly rent bonus of €150 for up to 12 months. Young adults under 36 already living in Mantova are also encouraged to move out of their family homes, with their rent bonuses extended to 24 months.
Experience Life in Borgochiesanuova
The second measure focuses on the Borgochiesanuova neighborhood, where 67 newly renovated housing units are available for rent at prices below market rates. These units cater to a range of household sizes, offering one- to three-bedroom apartments and duplexes. Designed with modern amenities, they aim to attract middle-income earners with annual incomes between €14,000 and €40,000. Rents range from €350 to €630 per month, depending on the size of the apartment.
The project has garnered significant interest, with over 400 applications submitted. Notably, more than 54% of applicants came from outside Mantova, many from other parts of the Lombardy region and southern Italy. This influx demonstrates the potential for affordable housing to draw newcomers while also providing opportunities for existing residents.
Integrated Action Plans for the Future
Mantova’s “The Future Lives Here” project highlights the importance of housing as a cornerstone of urban renewal strategies. Affordable housing is more than a solution to economic hardship: it is a driver of population growth, social diversity, and community building. The URBACT Residents of the Future network emphasizes such measures as critical components of the Integrated Action Plans each partner city is designing.
Affordable housing is important, but works only combined with the creation of job opportunities
Affordable housing will make people consider moving to a smaller city, but only if they also could apply for a good job. That’s why the city administration has worked tirelessly to bring new production and logistics settlements to Mantova’s territory. The mayor of Mantua, Mattia Palazzi announced that two big companies found interest to invest in the area, and open over 1200 new attractive jobs. For Europe’s small cities, the future truly lives here.
