The course objectives are aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11 (Well-being, Education, Water, Energy, Innovation/Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities). Investments in economic infrastructure (transport, logistics, energy, environment, water, and technologies), social infrastructure (hospitals, schools, culture, public and social housing) and real estate are crucial to achieving sustainable development and ensuring inclusive prosperity for a country and its local communities. During the semester, the course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of infrastructure types, technological and infrastructural systems, investment and partnership models such as project finance, focusing on both the demand and supply of infrastructure and related services. This requires understanding public and private investment and financing models that influence system choices in the infrastructure and real estate sectors, as well as the dynamics and policies of economic development at global, supranational, national, and local levels. Furthermore, the course focuses on current and future challenges related to innovative real estate projects, transport and mobility (including innovative forms such as Mobility as a Service), network infrastructures (particularly energy and water), and social infrastructures (healthcare, sports, housing, research, innovation, education, and culture), new forms of housing.

Students will acquire practical skills through projects and contributions from leading companies, promotional banks, long-term investors, and public administrations, enabling them to apply acquired knowledge in real-world contexts and develop creative and feasible solutions. Another key objective is to engage students in project-based activities developed with experts in infrastructure and real estate planning and financing, as well as industrial and territorial strategic planning, considering economic and social infrastructure as key elements for a fair technological and ecological transition of a country or industrial system.

The course aims to provide students with an in-depth and interdisciplinary understanding of the strategic role of infrastructure in economic and social development, with particular attention to innovative financial instruments and public-private collaboration models. Through a structured weekly module format, the course develops analytical and operational skills necessary to understand, evaluate, and contribute to the design, financing, and management of sustainable infrastructure and real estate projects. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of different types of real estate projects and infrastructure — from transport and energy to digital and social infrastructure — and their impact on competitiveness and resilience of economic systems. A particular focus will be placed on long-term investments (LTI), highlighting their value for sustainability and inclusion, as well as the main barriers to their full implementation. Through the analysis of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Public-Private-People Partnerships (PPPC), project finance tools, and risk mitigation mechanisms, students will be able to assess project feasibility and financial sustainability of complex infrastructure and real estate projects. The course will also explore the crucial role of national and supranational development banks in co-financing strategic projects, providing an overview of key institutional players at the European and global levels. Finally, particular attention will be given to project finance, sustainable finance, and impact investing, including in-depth analysis of results-based financing, green and social bonds, European taxonomies, ESG metrics, social outcome contracts, and social impact assessment. The ultimate goal is to train professionals capable of designing and managing infrastructure investments that combine economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

Lecture slides and guest lecture materials. Reference publications include: Garrone et al. (2023); Cartei & Ricchi (2024); Amatucci (2002); Yescombe & Farquharson (2018); Dauncey et al. (2024); Frischmann (2012); Gatti (2017).

Lectures Interactive sessions Guest speakers Project work

The final evaluation is structured as follows: (i) co-creation (individual): up to 15% of the grade, assessing active participation in class, understanding of core concepts, and ability to contribute critically and creatively; (ii) project work (individual and group): up to 15% of the grade, focused on in-depth analysis of a selected topic agreed with the instructor, with in-class presentation; (ii) final oral discussion of the project work and the connected most relevant topics covered during the course (individual): up to 70% of the grade, assessing critical understanding, analytical skills, and practical application of acquired knowledge

The proposal (2–3 Word pages) must include: Table of contents/structure Abstract with research question, hypothesis, and methodology Main bibliographic references