High speed rail: a 7 million people urban area around Milano

The tourist industry and university system will benefit from it

Milano, 17 dic. (Apcom) - When all the stretches of the high speed rail will be completed, Milano will be considered as a 7 million people urban area, also incorporating some parts of France and Switzerland. This is one of the assessments contained in an investigation on the socio-economic impact of the big railway works on Milano and its province that was carried out by the University Carlo Cattaneo and the consulting firm Clas on behalf of the local Chamber of Commerce.

A million and a half workers more than in the recent past will be able to reach Milano in less than two hours. According to the study, the economic activity induced by the tourist industry will enjoy a 4.8 million Euro growth (+19%). Also hospital treatment will benefit from the new fast connections, with 3.2 millions new users. Students and university staff will increase by 30%.

"A modern and efficient infrastructural system is a key condition for the competitiveness and the productivity of any area," explained Carlo Sangalli, the president of Milano's Chamber of Commerce. "As a matter of fact, an inadequate transport network is like a clay footed giant. The development of the railway accessibility will set Milano at the centre of Europe."

The Central train station is unveiled after restoration

New pedestrian paths, shops and refreshment areas

Milano, 17 dic. (Apcom) - After three years, the restoration work on Milano's Central railway station has been completed restoring it to its original look. The refurbished monumental complex, with its new routes for travellers, public service areas and shops, was finally unveiled in the presence of authorities. On the whole the redevelopment project involved a 60,000 square-metre surface: 23,000 square-metres are intended for transit areas, other 30,000 for shopping facilities and refreshment areas.

Besides, there are 16 530-metre long mobile ramps, eight elevators and moving walkways which allow people to reach the underground. A new pedestrian path connects piazza Luigi di Savoia and piazza IV Novembre. The works will now continue until June 2009 to complete the finishing touches and the preparation of the commercial spaces.

Al Gore becomes Milano's honorary citizen

An award for his commitment to peace, environment, communication

Milano, 16 dic. (Apcom) - The city of Milano bestowed honorary citizenship on the former vice-president of the United States and Nobel prize winner Al Gore as a sign of appraisal for his commitment to world peace, environmental protection and the promotion of new forms of communication. "I thank my friend Letizia Moratti for this award," he said referring to Milano's mayor. "Since she is governing Milano, the latter has become one of the first cities in the world in the fight against climate change."

Besides, Al Gore said he is very happy that the 2015 Universal Exhibition was assigned to Milano: "It is an important event that can inspire the whole world," he pointed out. "I am glad that I have been chosen as a honorary consultant." Letizia Moratti defined him a "reference point for what he symbolizes in his country and what he can symbolize all over the world."

Milano's mayor also pointed out that the honorary citizenship "was established by the municipal council" and on behalf of the whole city. As for the Universal Exhibition, according to Letizia Moratti through his contribution Gore will manage to "transfer his vision of environment and quality of life into our project."

Al Gore: Alternative energies to overcome the financial crisis

"Renewable sources would also solve the environmental emergency"

Milano, 16 dic. (Apcom) - The former vice-president of the United States and Nobel peace prize winner Al Gore is "optimistic" on the duration of the international financial crisis. He sees it as a "danger", but also as an "opportunity" to speed up the fight against climate change. The two issues "are linked", he explained during a lecture organized in Milano by the Diners Club International, "also with the crisis of military safety in the Persian Gulf. The common denominator is the extreme dependence on the fossil energy sources." For this reason, Gore thinks that "the only solution is to face the historical transition" to renewable sources.

"We have all we need to tackle both these crisis," he said about the current economic and environmental problems. "There is no political will. However, in democracy this is a renewable source." According to Gore, it is necessary to "act quickly" in all the big world economies through a "synchronized spur". The latter, he added, should be driven by infrastructures that can reduce climate changes. In China and in Japan, he underlined, there are two ideograms to describe the crisis: one is indicative of the real crisis, the other of the word "opportunity".

Al Gore also stated that the international economic crisis can be overcome if the governments will take any opportunity to "relaunch the investments in alternative energies, as Barack Obama is going to do in the United States. Now investing in alternative energies," he said, "means paving the way towards a less troubled world and a more sustainable development."