Rome, a city that has recently seen a remarkable resurgence, ranking 27th in the Global Cities Index and 4th in Europe’s best cities, is now looking ahead to 2030 with renewed ambition. The question of how to sustain this momentum was the central theme of a morning of roundtables and conversations organized by Roma Good News, an association dedicated to highlighting positive developments in the capital.
The “Good News” Driving Rome’s Transformation
The event, held on the fifth floor of the Civita association palace in Piazza Venezia, brought together prominent institutional and entrepreneurial figures. Each participant was invited to share a public idea for the city’s future, fostering a dynamic exchange on how to solidify Rome’s current season of confidence.
The discussions, supported by the Lazio Region and Roma Capitale, revolved around key areas: infrastructure, mobility, urban regeneration, scientific research, and technological innovation, all with a focus on human capital. The proposals unveiled during the event showcased ambitious goals for Rome’s development.
Infrastructure and Urban Regeneration: A City in Motion
Among the most significant proposals was the potential bid for the 2040 Olympic Games, a topic already generating considerable debate within the city. Another forward-thinking idea was the extension of high-speed rail to Fiumicino Airport, aiming to enhance connectivity and accessibility. These initiatives were put forward by Angelica Donati, manager of the eponymous company, and Alessandra Caponio, environmental manager for Italo – NTV, respectively.
Alongside Gianluca Spitella, communications director for Atac, they painted a picture of a city deeply committed to urban regeneration and the advancement of sustainable projects and construction sites. Oscar Ricci, president of Piccola Industria of Unindustria, highlighted Rome’s often-underestimated industrial strength, noting it as the fourth largest industrial city in Italy. The discussions also revealed a more integrated Rome, with examples like two former Fiumicino Airport executives now holding management positions at Atac, demonstrating a virtuous intermodality that goes beyond mere strategic plans.
“Italo has always aimed for excellence,” stated Caponio. “We were the first, even before it was mandatory, to install defibrillators on board trains, training employees, families, and students from Roman schools in their use. Now, we will be the first in the world to bring Starlink to high-speed trains. For Rome, the territory where we operate daily, we are not limited to railway services; we have focused on redeveloping and securing the area of our headquarters in Porta Maggiore, benefiting both employees and citizens. Our headquarters today is a flagship of sustainability and energy saving, custom-designed for people.”
Innovation and Technology: Glimpses into the Future
The panel dedicated to Innovation and Technology featured Simone Turano, IT Manager of Bancomat; Alfredo Cesario, CEO of Gemelli Digital Medicine & Health; and Valentina Floro Flores, CEO of Aerosoft. Their contributions highlighted a strong forward-looking vision for Rome.
Turano spoke of advancements in digital payments and stablecoins, while Cesario emphasized the transformation of clinical insights into concrete and validated digital tools. Floro Flores focused on the implementation of smart city solutions. All panelists underscored the importance of ongoing dialogues, such as the event itself, to facilitate communication between businesses and institutional decision-makers, suggesting a permanent innovation table.
Human Capital: The Foundation of Growth
The final round of discussions centered on human capital. Led by Corrado Chiominto of Ansa, this panel brought to light the critical need for continuous training, a point reinforced by Francesco Bonini, rector of Lumsa University, who cited demographic trends as a driving factor. Andrea Rossi, CEO and General Manager of Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, announced new postgraduate training initiatives at the university.
Furthermore, Sabrina Saccomandi, General Director of Rome Technopole, confirmed the addition of a 56th partner, Lumsa, to the innovation ecosystem established by the Lazio Region. Looking towards 2030, Saccomandi detailed a new infrastructure project in Pietralata: a 5000 square meter space dedicated to research and innovation.
“Helping Rome and its territory to fully express all its potential. We are optimistic and realistic,” opened the morning Benedetto Buono, who co-founded Roma Good News with Emidio Piccione two years ago. In the long tail of news, they chose their segment: optimism. Which, in these times, is already news in itself.
