The Bologna Freight Village

Establishing the Bologna Freight Village was part of a larger project to develop the Bologna area. It started in the 1970s thanks to the constructive climate of commitment and effort being made by the major political forces and the fruitful collaboration between public authorities and private operators. In fact during those years works were planned and started on the ring road, the airport, the agri-food center, the Centergross and the trade fair district with all its exhibition spaces, convention services and administrative center located in the towers designed by Kenzo Tange.

After 40 years of operation, this infrastructure still represents an appealing feature for national and international actors. This confirms the validity of the analyses according to which the 'competitive divide' of System Italy (and its transportation services in particular) makes this area more competitive.

The Bologna Freight Village has concretely contributed to promoting a new culture of logistics as a driver of development and the heart of the local and regional economic system. It also affirms the premise that intermodality is a responsible choice towards a model for growth that is attentive to the issues of environmental sustainability. Forty years ago the idea of intermodal transport was a wager; today it is the direction being indicated by many components of society the best way to favor the dynamics of markets and improve territorial cohesion.