Invest in Genova 2025: Get Ready to Discover a World of Opportunities.

 

Invest in Genova 2025 is once again the result of a profound synergy between diverse skills, involving the municipal administration, professionals, and experts. The result? A comprehensive and reliable guide to navigating the investment opportunities that the city of Genova offers.

Genova is moving towards the future with some key words: firstly, combining livability and attractiveness, placing sustainability at the center of its urban policies. The city promotes the well-being of its citizens through inclusive initiatives and projects that enhance the development potential of the territory. With constant attention to the environment and quality of life, Genova presents itself as a cutting-edge, resilient city ready to face all upcoming challenges.

A focal point is the “15-minute city” concept, an expression coined by Sorbonne urban planner Carlos Moreno, which values the historic polycentric structure of Genova, born from the aggregation of several municipalities, then neighborhoods, still rich in a strong sense of belonging today. Through this paradigm, the city is rethought: a model in which the different dimensions of life integrate, and the goal becomes to bring essential aspects of living, working, healthcare, and education closer together rather than reaching distant points in the shortest possible time.

Genova’s vision for the period 2030-2050 develops through several strands: Living in Genova, Grey, Green and Soft assets, Investment Opportunities. Grey, Green, and Soft are the three main axes of the Genova 2050 Action Plan, a strategic plan adopted by the city of Genova to guide its sustainable development until 2050. Each axis contains a set of actions aimed at improving various aspects of the city.

Grey: Focuses on optimizing and renewing infrastructure, improving their safety, efficiency, and resilience.

Green: Aims at adapting to and mitigating climate change, promoting sustainable development and the quality of the urban environment.

Soft: Includes actions to improve governance, training, and skills, as well as to analyze and reduce the city’s vulnerabilities.

The overall goal is to transform Genova into a “Lighthouse City,” a model of innovation and sustainability that can be replicated in other cities as well.

 

Living in Genova

The image that the book gives us is that of a city that makes Culture, Tourism, Sports, and Events indispensable drivers of a lively and vibrant fabric, capable of engaging citizens and visitors 360 degrees, with a constant eye on the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Genova, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, is experiencing an extraordinary period of growth in the tourism sector. In 2024, the city recorded 3.2 million overnight stays, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year and almost doubling compared to 2021. This positive trend has also been recognized by Lonely Planet, which included Genova among the “Best in Travel 2025” destinations. Genova is also a prime destination for congresses and conferences. The Porto Antico Conference Center, located in the historic Cotton Warehouses, is a popular venue for its ability to host large-scale events, meeting the needs of organizers and participants.

In 2025, “Genova and the Nineteenth Century” will be celebrated, a year entirely dedicated to exploring and enhancing the rich cultural heritage of the 19th century. This theme guides a wide range of exhibitions, conferences, performances, and cultural thematic routes, the result of collaboration between the Municipality of Genova and numerous local cultural institutions, including universities, foundations, theaters, and associations.

Genova in 2025 will be a city in celebration, ready to welcome visitors from all over the world with a calendar full of unforgettable events. The city is preparing to host Euroflora from April 24 to May 4, the spectacular international exhibition of plants and flowers, which in this edition will be held at the Waterfront di Levante.

In 2024, Genova had the honor of being named European Capital of Sport, hosting internationally significant events. Among these were the Coastal Rowing World Championships and the Beach Sprint Finals, which saw the participation of athletes from all over the world. The spectacular Red Bull Cerro Abajo downhill race brought adrenaline to the streets of the city, with the best riders on the international scene. Additionally, the Orienteering World Cup attracted over 300 participants from around the world, offering a unique experience between Voltri and Nervi. Another major event was The Ocean Race - The Grand Finale, the final leg of the crewed round-the-world sailing race held in 2023. This event transformed Genova into the world capital of sailing, attracting over 300,000 visitors and promoting the city globally.

Grey Axis

The grey axis focuses on innovation, both in the construction of new infrastructures and the modernization of existing ones. This section describes the interventions on major works, significant investments in infrastructure, and measures adopted to make Genova an increasingly connected city. The city is connected thanks to investments in airport, highway, railway, and cruise connections, such as the Gronda Autostradale, the Genova Node in the context of the Terzo Valico, the Campasso inland port, but also through the landings for international data cable networks, which strengthen Genova as a strategic hub for global digital connections. Mobility is always conceived in a sustainable way and includes a series of innovative projects aimed at making the urban transport system more efficient, connected, and environmentally friendly. The design of new cycle paths and the provision of bike stations, the extension of the metro, and the skymetro are just some of the ambitious interventions aimed at reducing emissions by providing users with a wider range of solutions. Infrastructure investments of over three billion euros are planned to improve accessibility to the Port of Genova, an identity element of the city that stands as the first Italian port and southern gateway to the Mediterranean, connected to all major European destinations.

Green Axis

Genova is undergoing an urban transformation focused on sustainability thanks to seven major green regeneration projects, true marvels that are redesigning the face of the city.

Parco dei Parchi: An initiative that unites various green areas of the city, creating a large green lung that promotes biodiversity and offers spaces for relaxation and sports.

Parco della Lanterna: A new public park of about 6 hectares that enhances the symbol of Genova, the Lanterna, and improves the relationship between the city, port, and sea.

Parco del Polcevera: A botanical park of 23 hectares with nearly 3,000 trees of 43 different species, designed to increase biodiversity and encourage the use of the area. The project includes the creation of a Memorial for the Victims of the Morandi Bridge collapse.

Waterfront di Levante: An urban redevelopment project that includes public spaces, green areas, and event facilities, transforming the former Genova Fair into a modern and sustainable area.

Regeneration of the Prà district: Redevelopment interventions in the historic center of Palmaro, recovery of Villa De Mari, and creation of a new urban park, improving the quality of life for residents.

Enhancement of the city walls and the system of Genoese forts: An ambitious program of restoration and enhancement of the ancient fortifications, with the creation of cycle-pedestrian paths and new scenic lighting.

Integrated Caruggi Plan and “Cultural Confessions” project: A plan for the recovery and enhancement of the historic center, improving the quality of life and usability of spaces, with cultural initiatives involving the community. The “Cultural Confessions” project aims to recover, repurpose, and relaunch the Sant’Agostino complex, one of Genova’s most significant sites, for renewed civic use.

These projects represent a concrete commitment towards a greener, more sustainable, and livable Genova, capable of enhancing its historical and natural heritage.

Soft Axis

Genova is also establishing itself as a nerve center for the blue economy, thanks to a series of initiatives and projects involving key players in the maritime and technological sectors. The PSA Genova Prà terminal plays a crucial role in managing container traffic, significantly contributing to the local and national economy. The Genova Blue District is an innovation hub that promotes research and development of new technologies related to the blue economy, offering spaces and resources for startups and businesses.

The Maritime Ventures project, supported by CDP Venture Capital, aims to create new enterprises in the nautical and port logistics sector, fostering the digitalization and innovation of SMEs. The Italian Merchant Marine Academy, with its new headquarters at Palazzo Tabarca in Porto Antico, continues to train highly qualified professionals for the maritime sector, strengthening Genova’s position as a center of excellence in maritime training.

The city hosts over 200 innovative startups, supported by institutional, public, and private partners, and a consolidated network of high-tech companies in the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical, cybersecurity, energy, logistics, and the blue economy. Incubators and startup networks like Nova Connect and Talent Garden offer support and growth opportunities for new businesses.

The University of Genova, the National Research Council, and the Italian Institute of Technology are fundamental pillars for research and innovation, actively collaborating with the local entrepreneurial fabric. The Genova Liguria Film Commission helps promote the city as an ideal location for film and audiovisual productions, further enriching the cultural and technological offer.

Among the notable initiatives, the RAISE project, the House of Emerging Technologies, and the Genova Global Goals Award are concrete examples of how Genova is investing in the future, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and technological development.

Investment Opportunities

Genoa offers numerous investment opportunities in the real estate sector, thanks to urban regeneration projects and the enhancement of historical heritage. The transformation districts aim to redevelop and modernize various areas of the city. The brand-new Palasport at the Waterfront di Levante, designed by Renzo Piano, offers multifunctional spaces for sports and cultural events.

The Great Campus Erzelli, the largest science and technology park in Italy, continues to grow, attracting innovative companies and research centers. The former psychiatric hospital of Quarto will be regenerated to create healthcare and cultural spaces, while the recently restored Caserma Gavoglio hosts new green spaces and community facilities.

Enhancement projects also involve Palazzo Galliera, which will become a prestigious accommodation and residential facility, and Villa Saredo Parodi, destined to become an important cultural and residential hub. Villa Gruber will host a new nursery, contributing to the redevelopment of the Castelletto district, while Villa Rossi in Sestri Ponente continues to be a reference point for cultural and social events.

These projects represent a unique opportunity for investors interested in contributing to the growth and enhancement of Genoa. The book will be officially presented during the next MIPIM exhibition in Cannes, one of the most important real estate events in the world, which will take place from March 11 to 14.