Bologna opens a new phase in the process of regeneration of its public heritage with the valorization of the former STAMOTO Barracks, recently nominated by the State Property Agency for the international program Reinventing Cities. In fact, the expression of interest is open to national and international operators called to present proposals to transform the complex into a new urban centrality, with residential functions, student housing, services, public spaces and solutions oriented towards climate neutrality.
The initiative is part of the process already started with the former Perotti Barracks, awarded in 2025 through the same program. The two state property complexes were at the center of the event organized last 8 September by the State Property Agency together with the Municipality of Bologna and C40, dedicated to the opportunities for sustainable regeneration of the public real estate assets in the Emilian capital.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Honorable Lucia Albano, the Director of the State Property Agency, Alessandra dal Verme, and Hélène Chartier, Senior Director Climate Solutions and Networks of C40.
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Former Perotti Barracks: the project Alma already awarded
During the meeting the project was presented and explored in depth Almawinner of the fourth edition of Reinventing Citiesfor the redevelopment of the former Perotti Barracks. With over 6 million euros and an expected investment of around 80 million euros, Alma was awarded the purchase of the former military complex to return it to the city as a space for coexistence, with open areas and a large central park as a green lung. Local services, residences, student housing, common spaces, neighborhood businesses and sports areas will also be integrated. The urban transformation will be based on reducing consumption and environmental impacts thanks to bioclimatic design, renewable energy, reuse of rainwater and low carbon content materials, guaranteeing measurable results with LEED certifications, CasaClima and LCA approach. Social ties and green jobs will be strengthened through a participatory process, promoting a new way of experiencing Bologna.
As Alessandra dal Verme underlined: “The reuse and refunctionalization of so-called “urban voids” – former barracks and/or convents, disused industrial plants, unused public buildings – creates resources at the service of society: spaces designed for citizens, with renewed uses and with attention to environmental aspects, which respond in the changed context to new housing needs and sustainable ways of experiencing the city.”
Former STAMOTO Barracks: the new challenge of Reinventing Cities
During the works, the notice of expression of interest for the former STAMOTO Barracks was then presented, which was also recently nominated by the State Property Agency for the international competition Reinventing Cities. The recovery of the former STAMOTO Barracks constitutes one of the strategic interventions of the City Plan for Public Properties of Bologna – recently signed between the State Property Agency, the Municipality, the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Alma Mater University and aimed at promoting the reuse of public assets in coherence with the needs of the community and with the sustainable development objectives of the territory. The transformation of the site has the aim of sewing peripheral spaces into a new urban centrality, integrating the much-needed university housing, and accessible residentiality with quality services and public areas, enhancing the historical-identifying elements and identifying advanced solutions for climate neutrality and environmental sustainability.
“The refunctionalization of the site of the former STAMOTO Barracks, which represented a significant piece of Italian military logistics, kicks off an important urban regeneration, destined to transform an abandoned area to be reclaimed into new innovative and sustainable spaces for youth housing, social relations and culture. Thanks to the contribution of the project proposals, it will be possible to create an urban park connected to the complex of the former Perotti barracks currently being regenerated. Here too the functions hosted are aimed at new residential and student housing”, highlighted the Director from the Worm.
From the recovery of urban voids to new functions for the city
“The former STAMOTO and former Perotti cases demonstrate that the State is there and is not backing down. As a Government, through the State Property Agency, we have worked seriously, within the expected times and ways, to return to the city of Bologna areas that have been abandoned for too long and often the scene of degradation. Places that, from a symbol of abandonment, will be transformed into resources for the community, with new residences, services and public areas” declared the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Hon. Lucia Albano.
The Mayor of Bologna, Matteo Lepore, underlined: “Bologna is changing and an important part of this change comes from the regeneration of places that for decades have remained closed and separated from the city. Perotti is already a concrete project of this transformation, while with STAMOTO we open up a new challenge: returning a very large area to the city, connecting it to the neighborhoods and creating new opportunities to live, study, live and be together. We want these spaces to become new urban centralities, with more greenery, services and accessible housing, especially for the younger generations. Now we must accelerate the discussion with the Neighborhood and with the citizens on the transformation and regeneration of the area, as has been requested by the territory for some time. The international comparison of Reinventing Cities helps us bring new skills and ideas to Bologna, while maintaining a very concrete objective: using public assets to respond to the city’s needs and build its future”.
Announcement for former STAMOTO Barracks: deadline and methods of participation
National and international operators have until 12pm on 19 October 2026 to present the design concepts capable of regenerating the property and creating development opportunities for the territory. Interested parties will be able to carry out an inspection at the former barracks, according to the methods indicated in the notice.
The competition is structured in two distinct phases. In the first, relating to the expression of interest, the best proposals adhering to the objectives of the international program will be selected. The second, which the finalists will access, will allow them to identify the economic operator who will take care of the development of the complex.
Information and documentation are available on the dedicated page on the State Property Agency website: Reinventing Cities – State Property Agency and in the expression of interest notice.
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