Italians have a allergy to major construction projects. They tend to view them with an air of suspicion and disillusionment. Even before they have a chance to consider their usefulness, their practicality or the opportunities they might open up, a Pavlovian response kicks in: the suspicion that there is always something else lurking behind a project. Theft, favouritism, speculation, environmental damage: in short, there is always something obscuring the ultimate purpose, clouding its objectives. It must be said that such a sentiment is fuelled in no small measure by the almost daily news reports. From journalistic features to satirical news programmes, from articles to blogs, we are inundated with reports highlighting malpractice, theft and soaring costs. And all at the expense of taxpayers. In short, the ‘sly ones from the neighbourhood’ are always just round the corner. As is well known, even the EXPO 2015 World Exhibition, now about to begin, has been marred by incidents of corruption, which must be exposed and prosecuted. At the same time, however, we must not forget what EXPO 2015 in Milan could represent not just an event, but a catalyst for our economy.
At a time when certain positive trends are becoming apparent, the exhibition represents an opportunity for a significant part of the Italian manufacturing sector. Many consumers in emerging economies regard our ‘Made in Italy’ products as offering significant added value. Entrepreneurs are well aware of this, and it is no coincidence that they are also the most active and attentive to the development of the event. Food and nutrition, the central themes of the event, are one of Italy’s key assets on the global stage and act as a driving force for all other productive sectors as well. But the EXPO is not merely an event: it should be regarded as infrastructure. And quite rightly, Minister Delrio, from the moment he took office, has classified it as a major infrastructure project. For, as other experiences have shown (Genoa, Turin), these initiatives must also be seen as an opportunity to re-examine the development of a region and its economy. Looking beyond the event itself, shifting the focus to the long-term benefits in the years to come.
Community Media Research, through the LaST survey, polled Italians to gauge their expectations regarding EXPO and the phenomena it might generate. The overall result, however, is not particularly encouraging. When presented with a list of possible outcomes that the international exhibition might bring, a sense of ambivalence prevails, tinged in particular with a negative outlook. Almost inevitably, Italians ranked one concern as their top priority: the infiltration of organised crime and the fuelling of corruption-related issues (62.6 per cent), particularly amongst residents in the North. In second place, however, is the hope that the event might lead to greater attention being paid to product quality and consumer safety (56.8 per cent), with a clear prevalence amongst residents of central and north-eastern Italy. These are two opposing views: the first is a concern, the second a hope. Yet they coexist. The ranking continues to highlight positions that reflect a sense of concern: whilst not held by the majority, they are nevertheless quite widespread. 43.3 per cent believe that, once the event is over, the EXPO will have no positive impact, but will simply have been a one-off. A similar proportion (43.3 per cent) think that the costs of hosting the World Expo are excessive for a country like Italy, which is still suffering greatly economically. Two-fifths (40.7 per cent) fear excessive urban development and anticipate a negative impact on the environment. On the other hand, there is less agreement on the positive aspects. Whilst two-fifths (41.9 per cent) expect the EXPO to create new jobs, only 38.4 per cent of Italians envisage the possibility of new research and development centres being set up. And a similar proportion (35.8 per cent) see the World Expo as contributing to the revival of our economy.
By compiling the responses received from Italians, it is possible to draw up a summary profile of expectations regarding the EXPO. The predominant profile consists of those who are uncertain, wavering equally between positive and negative aspects in a zero-sum game: the ‘EXPOboh’. They account for 43.8 per cent of Italians, particularly among women, younger generations, students, residents of the North-East, university graduates and those with only a basic knowledge of the event. The second profile comprises those who foresee only negative consequences: the ‘noEXPO’ group. They account for 31.2 per cent of respondents and are found mainly among 25–34-year-olds, the unemployed and those with a school-leaving certificate; however, they have little knowledge of the EXPO. The minority group, though by no means marginal, consists of those who envisage positive effects from the World Expo: the ‘EXPOfans’ (25.0 per cent). This group mainly comprises men, those over 40, entrepreneurs and housewives, residents of Southern Italy and those who have followed the EXPO project closely.
Just a few days to go, and then, at last, the ribbon will be cut at the World Expo. Inevitably, assessments of the EXPO will begin straight away. But the real impact can only be gauged later, once the event has drawn to a close. If the EXPO has also been designed as an (intangible) infrastructure for new development, then we will be able to see the results for ourselves. And, for once, we will have found a remedy for Italians’ aversion to major infrastructure projects.
Daniele Marini
