Porto 15

Porto 15 is a pioneering co-housing initiative located in the heart of Bologna, Italy. This project, which features five floors and 18 residential apartments, aims to foster a collaborative living environment among its residents. Designed to accommodate up to 49 individuals, Porto 15 integrates shared communal spaces designated for gatherings, events, workshops, and leisure activities. Its primary objective is to cultivate a lifestyle that emphasizes caring for oneself, others, and the surrounding environment through the sharing of resources, interests, and relationships. As one of the first fully public co-housing projects in Italy, Porto 15 is the result of rehabilitating a building owned by ASP - Città di Bologna. Centrally located near the cultural district known as Manifattura delle Arti, which includes the Museum of Modern Art and the Cineteca, the facility provides access to a vibrant cultural scene. Entry into Porto 15 is facilitated through a public application process targeting young people under 35. Selected candidates participated in a collaborative design process that not only shaped the physical spaces but also contributed to developing the community’s values and regulations through the collective drafting of the Community Charter and Co-habitation Rules. The Porto 15 project is supported by the Municipality of Bologna and ASP Città di Bologna as key promoters. Additionally, it benefits from funding by the Department of Youth of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and involves collaboration with several organizations, such as ACER for building rehabilitation and Società Cooperativa SuMisura, which aids in establishing the resident community. The project also has a social promotion association, Porto 15 APS, formed by the first residents to encourage collaborative living and community engagement in both local and national networks. With its commitment to social sustainability, Porto 15 exemplifies an innovative model of communal living that prioritizes participatory design and community building among its residents.