After four inspiring days in Reggio Emilia, we’re returning to our hometowns, reflecting on an incredible experience in what will be the host city of Placemaking Week Europe 2025
This visit was a journey through the heart of the city—its people, its stories, and its spaces. Reggio Emilia is a place where history and innovation blend effortlessly, with a deep-rooted culture of collaboration, creativity, and interculturality that’s visible at every turn. From the Sala del Tricolore, where the Italian flag was born, to the Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, which remains an active cultural hub, we explored spaces that reflect the city’s pride in its heritage and its vision for the future.
We were fortunate to meet inspiring individuals and visit key organizations driving Reggio Emilia’s transformation. At the Officine Meccaniche Reggiane, we saw how a historic industrial site has been reimagined into a hub for innovation, with businesses, research, and public administration working together in a seamless ecosystem. This project, introduced by Luca Torri, CEO of STU Reggiane, is a testament to the city’s forward-thinking approach and will serve as our main venue during the festival.
Another highlight was visiting Fondazione Reggio Children, where the educational philosophy Reggio Emilia is known for comes to life. This philosophy, rooted in co-creation and creativity, forms the foundation of many of the city’s institutions and is deeply embedded in how Reggio Emilia approaches community building and early education. Chiara Spaggiari, Strategy Development at the foundation, and Laura Pedroni, Community Developer and Remida Project Coordinator, shared how their work with children, adults, and the elderly connects education, sustainability, and creativity in truly unique ways.
We also had the pleasure of meeting Eduardo Raia, Vice President of Coress, who highlighted the importance of social cooperation and how local associations are integral to Reggio Emilia’s community fabric. Francesca Tamburini, from Fondazione E-35, gave us insights into how the city fosters international partnerships to strengthen its local development efforts. The warmth and engagement of Matteo Iori, President of the Municipal Council of Reggio Emilia, during our visit to the town hall reaffirmed the city’s commitment to collaboration and shared purpose.
As part of our visit, we participated in a press conference hosted by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, where our Co-Directors introduced our organization and shared our vision for next year’s festival. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with local media and explain how we aim to collaborate with the city and its people.
Our first local stakeholder gathering, held in the beautiful Laboratorio Aperto di Reggio Emilia, brought together architects, urban planners, cultural leaders, and local associations. The room was filled with motivated people and fruitful conversations as we began laying the groundwork for the festival. The discussions reinforced the incredible potential to co-create something unique, deeply rooted in the city’s identity and core challenges.
Throughout the visit, one thing was clear: the educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia isn’t just confined to schools—it’s embedded in the fabric of the city. It shapes how people think, interact, and collaborate, making Reggio Emilia a place where placemaking feels natural and authentic.
We also identified the four key themes for next year’s festival, which will be officially launched after the New Year. These themes will guide the work ahead, providing structure while leaving plenty of room for co-creation.
We leave Reggio Emilia with immense gratitude for the warm welcome and the rich insights shared by everyone we met. This city already feels like an integral part of the Placemaking Week Europe story, and we’re looking forward to continuing this journey together.
