Logistics, 32% of new assets are on brownfield sites

According to data compiled by World Capital - which tomorrow will present an analysis of the Italian logistics scenario at an event organised by the 'Gino Marchet' Contract Logistics Observatory - logistics in Italy confirms its strategic importance, with a real estate stock of over 40.5 million square metres, divided between distribution centres (19 per cent), logistics centres (64 per cent) and transit points (17 per cent). This real estate stock will be enriched by new projects that will increase it by 11% (about 4.5 million sqm), in nine Italian regions and 41 provinces.32% of the new constructions will involve brownfield areas and the rest greenfield areas. The environmental aspect is not the only relevant phenomenon to be observed, as the use of brownfield areas triggers a great 'social' flywheel when it goes to 'give back to the community' more than 1.5 million square metres, today in many cases degraded and dangerous.

"The Italian logistics market is evolving towards an increasingly integrated and sustainable model, within which the 'workforce', and consequently workplaces, have and will have a crucial role. The increase in the use of brownfield areas, confirms this trend with the introduction in the market of real estate, i.e. workplaces, not only of quality but also connected to the urban fabric in order to benefit from the related services. - said Marco Clerici, head of research & advisory at World Capital Group - Where once logistics real estate might have appeared as a barrier, today, with redevelopment projects, it is transformed into a hinge that connects and supports urban dynamics. In fact, brownfield redevelopment offers a strategic opportunity to meet the growing demand for efficient and sustainable (logistics) workspaces without negatively impacting the environment and strengthening the connection between industrial activities and urban life'.