This research has the goal to define a scenario of the transformations that have taken place in the metropolitan area of Milan subsequent to those housing policies that, starting from the evaluation of critical issues and potential areas of intervention, propose possible integrations and modifications of the procedures actually adopted. In Italy, the satisfaction of housing needs is part of a complex picture that requires integrated policies and a common action of territorial governance at metropolitan level. In a context where the housing demand is critical, not only in terms of quality, but also quantitatively, it is necessary to adjust the housing policies to the growing social vulnerability of large and different sections of the population. The current debate is focused on promoting the development of Social Housing as a resource to ensure social security and inclusion. With reference to the principles of sustainability accrued during several debates among local operators, public and private stakeholders and research institutes, some case studies of urban transformation in the metropolitan area of Milan have been analyzed in this paper, with a specific focus on the project ‘Figino: sustainable suburb’. This project is a private initiative oriented to achieve the maximum coordination with the public social housing policies, to maximize amount of rented accommodations with low charge, with fee agreement or with social rent. © 2013 IAHS.
