(Eco) Design System Milan: The Salone del Mobile.Milano Reveals the Global Impact of Design

An innovative report unveils the ecosystem of Milanese design: 260 pages, 90 charts, and a vision for the future of the city and its iconic event

Every April, Milan transforms into the global Capital of Design thanks to the Salone del Mobile.Milano, an event that transcends the boundaries of a traditional trade fair. In 2024, with a record attendance of 370,824 visitors—65.6% of whom were international—the Salone reaffirmed its role as an international catalyst. Complementing this achievement were over 1,300 events of the city’s design week, showcasing the multifaceted and inclusive nature of an ever-evolving system. But what drives this success? The answer lies in the first chapter of the (Eco) Design System Milan project, a scientific analysis promoted by Salone del Mobile.Milano under the supervision of Politecnico di Milano.

Numbers Highlighting an Extraordinary Impact

The report stands out for its depth and complexity: eight chapters, over 260 pages, and more than 90 charts. It involved 37 data holders, 86 sources, 10 working groups with 130 stakeholders, and 530 field observations. This pioneering work goes beyond narrating the event, offering a detailed mapping of its ecosystem and the dynamics fueling it.

Among the most striking figures is the economic impact generated: €275 million in direct revenue (+13.7% compared to 2023). This result stems from the synergy between the trade fair itself and the dense calendar of urban events, together making Milan a globally unique phenomenon.

Design and Innovation: A Driving Force for the City

Between 2009 and 2023, Milan experienced a 66% increase in design-related companies and professionals, reaching 2,275 entities. Of these, 12% are led by young entrepreneurs, 27.2% by women (surpassing the European average of 24%), and 13.7% by foreign nationals, reflecting the inclusive and innovative nature of this ecosystem. This dynamic fabric not only drives economic growth but also fosters cultural and social development through a continuous dialogue between experimentation and tradition.

A Comprehensive Analysis: The Core of the Report (Eco) Design System Milan

The report’s structure unfolds across multiple levels of analysis:

• The Salone Model: insights and performance indicators from the 2024 edition.
• The Urban Design Week: a survey-based investigation with 260 responses and field observations.
• Economic and Social Impact: a focus on seven macro-themes, including visitor flows, circularity, and digital spending.
• Working Groups: ten key themes, such as sustainability, urban regeneration, mobility, and hospitality, addressed by over 100 stakeholders.

The result is an innovative framework that will guide the creation of the first Permanent Observatory on the Design Ecosystem, a platform aimed at monitoring and fostering the interconnectedness of the event, the city, and the production sector.

A Future to Build Together

“This report is a fundamental tool for understanding the impact of the Salone del Mobile.Milano and the design week on the city and the region,” stated Maria Porro, President of Salone del Mobile.Milano. “Our goal is to share data and insights to inform future strategies. Milan has regained its place as an intercontinental stage, thanks to an event that continues to grow, addressing the complexities of an unstable global context.”

Maria Porro’s words echoed those of Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan: “The bond between the Salone and the city is indissoluble. This unique ecosystem generates value not only for Milan but for the entire country, strengthening Italy’s leadership in the global design sector.”

(Eco) Design System Milan: an Inclusive and Ambitious Project

(Eco) Design System Milan was conceived as an open and inclusive laboratory, involving institutions like the Municipality of Milan, the Lombardy Region, and Politecnico di Milano, alongside trade associations, research centers, and professionals. Its objective? To create a network of knowledge and strategies to address future challenges, from sustainability to urban livability.

As Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano, emphasized, “Studying the design ecosystem means understanding the dynamics of a complex phenomenon and defining interventions and governance models that can ensure the system’s sustainability and inclusivity in the long term.”

With this first report, Salone del Mobile.Milano is set to write a new chapter in its history, consolidating its role as a catalyst for ideas and innovation, not only for the design sector but for the entire international community.