All Rights ReservedBalducci, Alessandro2025-06-272025-06-272015Balducci, A. (2015). Alessandro Balducci — Italy. disP - The Planning Review, 51(1), 48–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2015.10380610251-362510.1080/02513625.2015.1038061https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2015.1038061https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14235/2887disP – The Planning Review, 51, 2015In this brief national commentary, Alessandro Balducci reflects on the state of urban planning in Italy. He contrasts the post-WWII period of optimistic rational planning with today's more complex landscape marked by public scepticism and increased environmental awareness. He discusses pressing issues such as land consumption, unregulated building in high-risk zones, and the marginal role of urban planning in infrastructure and smart city development. Balducci argues that the gap between theory and practice in Italy has remained limited due to planners’ involvement in both academia and administration. He also revisits debates on spatial inequality and planning education, calling for stronger institutional pathways and EU support for urban regeneration and local capacity building.enrestrictedAccessArticle48-49