Milan can be described as a city lost in transition. For more than two decades, Milan has been ruled by a system of strongly market-oriented governance, following the rhetoric that creating a "good business climate" is an effective way to not only foster growth and innovation but also eradicate poverty and deliver higher standards of living. This approach has led to: (a) a disinvestment in welfare services directly provided by the municipality, in favour of a more residual welfare system based on non-profit and private involvement; (b) a huge investment in neo-liberal tools of government for the economic development of the city, such as the promotion of international events (Expo 2015) and large real estate investments through public–private partnerships. After some scandals as well as a huge increase of social inequalities, municipal elections rewarded a new coalition following a style of governance oriented to a social innovation approach. However, the difficult financial situation of the municipality has reduced ambitions of the current government
