Rome bids to host World Expo 2030 with focus on reinvention, securing lasting legacy for local communities

It is the site of one of the capital’s university campuses, a large hospital complex, and a residential area.

“Choosing Tor Vergata is … an opportunity to show in a real, physical way, a new way to design a part of the city,” said Mr Gatto.

Locals are aware of the risk of building infrastructure that becomes redundant after the event ends. 

Tor Vergata is already home to one white elephant – a stadium that was built for the swimming competition of the World Aquatics Championships in 2009, but was not finished on time. It has been left empty ever since.

However, if Rome does get selected to host the World Expo, the city will get a nearly 10-fold return on its investment of more than US$6 billion, according to the local government.

Tor Vergata will benefit from new projects, such as a new metro service connecting it to the city centre and a solar park that the community can utilise even after the event concludes.

LASTING LEGACY

Professor Giovanni Caudo from Roma Tre University’s Department of Architecture emphasised the need to question the legacy that such a major event brings to the city, such as what the locals stand to gain after the expo is over.