Recently, Genoa has faced the challenge of having been designated European Capital of Culture for the year 2004. A test faced by the town through the choice of redefining its cultural identity as a city with many vocations, where a port, industry, tourist and cultural activities coexist, and at the same time having its attractiveness recognized at every level.

Genoa's efforts to be worldwide known as a city of culture have been strengthened by the 2006 inscription to the UNESCO World Heritage List of "Strada Nuova and the Palazzi dei Rolli", the architectural asset of the 17-century Genoa, where the Republic of ship builders, merchants and bankers, since 1576, chose private residences - appearing in lists known as Rolli - and their explosion of frescoed façades and hidden treasures to host important persons visiting Genoa.

Genoa town center

The town is spread between sea and mountains with a comparatively long and narrow coastline stretching from east to west. The urban environment, defined by the topography of the area, shows development mainly in the coastal area sloping down towards the sea. Genoa has a very difficult street layout due to the lack of space and the absence of alternative routes.

In central Genoa (including the old historical centre) the problem of the non-sustainable number of circulating (and pollutant) private cars is faced with a mix of measures regarding both access restrictions and new forms of mobility for people and freights.

Another striking problem is the lack of security in the old historical centre, though recent initiatives by both the local government and the private enterprises have partially reversed the situation, together with the integration of different cultures due to the flows of immigrants in recent years.