Metropolitan area of TurinSpatial dynamics and strategic planning

The Metropolitan development of Turin

The metropolitan area of Turin represents the formal Metropolitan City of Turin. It is the largest area in Italy, thefourth in population size and seventh in population density. The extension of the core city to a metropolitan area ofurban fluxes aims to support more balanced socio-economic development of the entire territory. Despite thechanging external and internal market forces, the geography of production and cultural activities in theneighbouring territories continue to be an important component of the regional identity. Metropolitan developmentis a consequence of the urbanization of Turin city and its significance for northern Italian business and culturalactivities. The extension of the provincial territory, the varied morphology and a the many different municipalitieshave determined a historical, cultural and economic diversity of the territory.

• The key challenge of the MCT is to achieve abalanced urban development, while dealing with thefragmented morphology of the territory and connectits rural and alpine area to the city. Mobility andaccessibility are key issues due to the need forefficient infrastructure.

• The core urban area of Turin needs transformationfrom an industrial to an attractive area with newopportunities for businesses, education and tourism.

• The metropolitan development needs to respond tothe persistence of the economic crisis, causing theclosure of productive areas and the loss of jobs.

• There is a need for dedicated financial resources forthe metropolitan cities and a reduction of withdrawalof local revenues to the national government.

• Population dynamics need to be more balanced withregard to migration patterns between the core cityand the rural areas with provision of housing andjobs.

• Introducing a urban regeneration strategy that isbased on a flattening of hierarchies, cross-sectorcollaboration, and coordination of efforts between all316 municipalities.

Map of the MDA of Turin

Current spatial development challenges Metropolitan Development Area (MDA)

• The Metropolitan development area of Turin, formallyreferred to as the Metropolitan City of Turin (MCT) islocated in northwest of Italy, covering a territory of6.827 km2. It is characterized by a rather diversifiedlandscape, 52% of which consists of mountain area.

• MCT is the largest provincial territory in Italy and thesecond largest in the Piedmont Region (after Cuneo).

• Since 2015 the MCT has been defined by law. Thearea replaces the former Province of Turin and isbecame the new administrative level of planning.

• MCT consists of 316 municipalities, including thecapital city of Turin. It is divided in 11 homogeneouszones defined by functionality and territorial criteria.

• The MDA is larger than the FUA especially in northernand south-eastern direction. In southwest the MDA isrelatively small compared to the FUA.

• Both FUA and MDA are clearly polycentric withmultiple MUAs inside and the MDA even encompassesmultiple smaller FUA’s.

Map of the Urban Sprawl in MDA, FUA and MUA of Turin

Strategic priorities, opportunities and incentives Key recommendations and relevant policy tools

References:

SPIMA final report https://www.espon.eu/metropolitan-areas

• The three year metropolitan strategic plan (MSP) aimsto introduce an integrated approach to the socio-economic and environmental development of theterritory. The plan outlines the key priorities, theresources and the time frame for implementation ofstrategic actions and projects among which areeconomic and environmental strategic priorities.

• The establishment of the territorial division in elevenhomogenous zones presents a comprehensiveplanning approach that considers the local conditions,needs and opportunities in the 316 municipalities ofthe MCT.

•MSP and the metropolitan authority of Turin serve askey incentives in taking next steps in theimplementation of the metropolitan strategic plan as acomprehensive and integrated approach tometropolitan planning.

• The involvement of the metropolitan authority inEuropean initiatives and exchange best practices withother regional land local authorities is anotherincentive. • In the implementation of a comprehensive metropolitan

planning approach the MCT has achieved progress in theaction areas related to the definition of the spatial scaleof the area, and in the establishment of a clear status ofthe area (i.e. formal metropolitan area). Relativeprogress has been made as well as in the assessment ofkey urban trends in the MCT and in identification of itskey challenges.

• The action areas that need to be further implementedare the involvement of relevant actors in the planningprocess, selection of the most suitable governancemodel, building the administrative capacity of themetropolitan authority and ensuring key success factors.Key issues to focus on in this process include:o Finalizing the strategic plan and setting up a clear

governance process for its implementation.

o Strong leadership, legitimacy of the metropolitanauthority.

o Building upon a locally-oriented, bottom-up approachrooted in strong cooperation between the newmetropolitan authority, the local governments andcommunities.

o Involving different stakeholders.

o Clarification of the competences and sharedresponsibilities between the regional and localauthorities.

• The recommended policy tools to be applied by the MCTin meeting its metropolitan development challenges arecollaborative and coordinative policy tools.

SOEI matrix of the Metropolitan city of Turin