New housing needs in Italy: more sustainable and shared homes

In recent years, Italy has seen its housing landscape evolve in response to social, economic and environmental changes.
New housing needs are no longer limited only to issues of space and comfort, but also embrace sustainability and sharing. Let’s find out what the new trends are.

The push toward sustainability

One of the most important trends in the housing sector is the growing demand for sustainable homes.
Italians are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their lifestyle choices, and this awareness is reflected in their housing expectations.
The home, therefore, is no longer just a place to live, but also a means of contributing to sustainability. Renovations are also geared toward energy efficiency, often with the support of government incentives such as the Superbonus.
This trend not only responds to increased environmental awareness, but also helps reduce the cost of running a home.

The rise of shared housing: co-living, co-housing and senior housing

Alongside sustainability, another emerging trend is shared housing. This concept, which may seem new to many, is gaining ground. Both to meet the needs of the elderly as we explored in the article, “Senior Housing in Italy: a new housing solution for the Third Age,” and for young people and professionals looking for flexible and cost-effective housing solutions.
Shared housing or co-housing not only offers a way to reduce costs, but also promotes more inclusive and collaborative community living.

Many young people are opting for co-housing or co-living solutions, a model that involves sharing common spaces while maintaining independence in their private environments.

This lifestyle allows them to develop a wider social network and share resources, thus reducing their overall ecological footprint. Italian cities are seeing an increase in co-living facilities, often with modern amenities and spaces designed to encourage social interaction.

Wellness Home

The idea of the “wellness home” is also gaining ground: Italians are increasingly aware that living spaces influence mental and physical well-being.
Rooms can be designed to encourage the entry of natural light to improve circadian rhythm, natural ventilation to ensure clean indoor air, use colors that promote relaxation, and materials that limit the emission of toxic substances.
In addition, green spaces, such as terraces, gardens or urban vegetable gardens, are increasingly sought-after elements.
These homes often include spaces dedicated to physical activity, such as indoor gyms or gardens for practicing yoga, and technologies to monitor and improve sleep quality.
Vertical gardens, green terraces, and common spaces for socializing are just some of the solutions adopted to promote a harmonious and healthy environment.

Shared amenities and common spaces

As demand for more affordable housing grows and co-living becomes more prevalent, many new homes include common spaces to encourage socializing and shared amenities.
These spaces may include communal laundry rooms, gyms, green areas, event spaces and, in some cases, even shared offices (co-working). Housing projects of this type are becoming increasingly common in cities, especially in high-density housing areas, and meet the needs of those seeking a socially stimulating and more affordable environment. A successful example is our Parco Vittoria – Flat Tower  in Milan.

The role of the community

Another important aspect of new housing requirements is the growing role of community and citizen participation in urban planning.
Participatory processes are becoming increasingly common, allowing residents to have a voice in decisions that affect their living environment. This active participation not only helps to create housing solutions that are more responsive to community needs, but also promotes a sense of shared ownership and responsibility.

Sustainability and networking

New housing needs in Italy are transforming the approach to designing and choosing homes.
The home is increasingly becoming a place to find a balance between sharing and relaxation, sociability and sustainability.
The challenge for the housing market and local governments will be to adapt to these new trends, facilitating the construction of flexible, sustainable and accessible living spaces for all segments of the population.