The Aerospace City project kicked off on Tuesday morning with the laying of the foundation stone to build the Polytechnic University’s new laboratories in the Northern Italian city of Turn. The new space will host research activities and collaborations with companies in the aerospace sector, with the main research strands concerning hybrid-electric propulsion and generation and space exploration.

The ultimate goal is to create a full-fledged aerospace ecosystem where the sectors of education, research, innovation and enterprise along the entire value chain may merge synergistically. The initial investment is €700 million, with the projected impact on GDP surpassing €750 million. Five thousand people will work in the new centre once it is completed.