Bologna excels in urban balance, ranking first in Italy for quality of life

According to the study “Italy and Its Reputation - The Cities”, promoted by Italiadecide in collaboration with Makno and Intesa Sanpaolo, Bologna stands out as a symbol of balance between urban wellbeing and economic competitiveness.

The research, based on interviews with 1,200 citizens across ten major Italian cities, measures perceived social reputation as a form of intangible capital - something that can generate real economic value and boost attractiveness.

A virtuous balance of livability, sustainability, and development

With an average score of 76.5 out of 100, Bologna ranks first for quality of life and third for productive reputation, just behind Verona and Bergamo. Key factors behind this performance include safety, quality public services, and environmental sustainability.

The study identifies 15 key elements that help strengthen a city’s image, and highlights the importance of closing the gap between internal and external perceptions - Bologna performs well across these indicators. Milan, by contrast, struggles with a high cost of living and lower perceived urban quality, while major southern cities such as Palermo, Naples, and Rome face challenges related to safety and infrastructure.

For Bologna, the main areas for improvement are economic accessibility, public transport, and social inclusion. These represent strategic goals to help reinforce a strong, appealing reputation that attracts residents, talent, and investment- further boosting the city's long-term competitiveness.