The social value of cities. Vital suburbs: the new frontier of urban living
Apr 23, 2026 — Apr 23, 2026 Rome, Palazzo Montecitorio, Sala della Regina3rd One Health Report of the Campus Bio-medico
“There is enormous work to be done in suburban areas, because these are particularly delicate contexts. The social value of the city is crucial: when you move away from the city center and toward the outskirts, the entire vision of the urban system changes.
It is precisely there that the new spaces for social development are located, because the most authentic life is often found at the margins of the urban fabric. There is no sustainability without territorial justice, which can only be achieved by working together with a shared perspective. It is precisely from the economic system that momentum for change can come, leading to the regeneration of territories". This was stated by Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA, speaking at the Chamber of Deputies during the presentation of the 3rd One Health Report, “The Social Value of Cities. Vibrant Suburbs: The New Frontier of Urban Living”, produced by Campus Bio-Medico di Roma in collaboration with the Istituto Piepoli, with the support of ISPRA, and alongside the Facciamo Circolare campaign carried out by ISPRA in collaboration with and funded by the Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy (MIMIT).
The research analyzes development prospects for Italian urban areas, focusing on the comparison between suburbs and city centers, the need for urban regeneration, and the protection of the social fabric.
These themes are addressed through the One Health model, an integrated approach that considers human, animal, and ecosystem health within a comprehensive vision aimed at rethinking cities and places in a sustainable and interdisciplinary way.