Tourists who walk through the streets of Rome or Naples usually only see the historic centre. From high above, though, we realise that the city centres are only the pinnacle of a gigantic urban formation that embodies the true face of modern Italian metropolises. This urban density is the result of the country's rapid growth.

Despite its flamboyant past, Italy was one of the poorest regions in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century. Its citizens emigrated to escape misery. In just 60 years, however, the country succeeded to be ranked 8th largest economy.
This impressive development that transformed Italy from a country of emigration into a destination of high immigration, was first and foremost underpinned by its cities. They took the lead in the modernisation of the Italian nation, but they also had to bear the consequences: overpopulation, pollution and the restructuring of the urban landscape.