Urban innovation is a term that has swept several major Italian cities, among others around the world. The term refers to a city's ability to reinvent itself by proposing a framework of new projects. The concept has come to dominate all strategic planning in places that need to reevaluate their functionality and promote their image.

But there have been many discussions regarding what drives urban innovation into a city. Is planning strategically enough? Is having an innovative master plan the key? Or maybe a strong set of policies and governance? Milan and Turin are examples that offer some answers.

An interesting study has been conducted by a team of professors from Politecnico di Milano and Torino regarding the factors that influence the promotion and implementation of projects in the city. The case study compares how Milan and Turin dealt with their agendas, decision-making processes, and project implementation following the de-industrialization years.

Turin is the capital, cultural, and business hub of the Piedmont region, located in the northwestern part of Italy. It is also one of my favorite cities, playing a great part in my decision to move to Italy. From the first time I visited it, I was mesmerized by the city's architecture and the dynamics of its urban life, parks, churches, and history.

In the late 1800s Turin was rapidly industrialized and became a city that was based on mechanical production, especially in the car industry. It's economy was dominated by Fiat when the de-industrialization process started in 1955, when the city realized it needed to reinvent itself in order to survive. The crisis was seen as an opportunity to boost the city's economy by developing other industries.

One of the successful projects was the redevelopment of Lingotto, the former Fiat factory, into a public center for a diverse set of activities. The city also hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics, which created a legacy of urban structures and promoted tourism for the entire Piedmont region.

As was also the case in Milan, many strategic projects were conceived, but the city government found it difficult to implement them. In 1993, a shift in political power led to more cohesive local politics. This created a stronger agenda, with more chances of implementation and finalization of Turin's projects.

On the other side, Milan has been characterized as a wealthy city that promoted reluctant innovations. The city's diverse economic structures and cultural assets made this promotion easier, but did not help in the practical application of new plans.

Many projects have been started and not finished. The struggle for power between different political parties has made decision-making a never-ending process in Milan. This is one of the reasons why many master plans have been designed and redesigned many times without ever being implemented.

Milan was once the industrial heartland of Italy that quickly established itself as one of the world's fashion and design capitals as well as the country's business and economic hub.

With Expo 2015 coming up soon, Milan has a new opportunity to promote urban innovation within the city, but the question remains: is it going to manage to complete all its project objectives?

What do you think is the key to be able to plan and efficiently implement urban projects? If you know other successful examples that changed the life of a city, please share them with us in the comments below.

Credits: Images by Alexandra Serbana. Data linked to sources.