Italy’s state-owned rail operator, FS (Ferrovie dello Stato), is launching a €100 billion transformation that puts coworking at the center of its vision for the future of train stations. As part of its 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, FS aims to convert rail infrastructure, particularly in small towns, into hubs of local life by adding shared workspaces and community services to underused or historic stations.
Rather than treating coworking as an urban trend, FS is embedding it into the fabric of regional development. In towns with fewer than 15,000 residents, stations will be upgraded to include not only coworking zones, but also pharmacies, health clinics, and other essential services.
The goal is to counter rural depopulation and strengthen local economies by making stations more than just points of transit, according to Coworking Europe.
A recent example of this approach can be seen in Milan, where the disused Porta Genova station has been repurposed into a “Social Hub,” a multi-use space that combines coworking facilities with cultural and recreational programming. FS describes the project as a prototype for integrating community engagement into transportation infrastructure.
Nationwide, the plan involves over 1,200 ongoing construction projects. While about half are routine maintenance, the rest focus on upgrading high-speed rail links, such as Naples to Bari and Salerno to Reggio Calabria, and revitalizing urban and regional stations alike.
Through this model, FS aims to merge the needs of modern workers with the heritage of Italian railways, creating a nationwide network of places to meet, work, and stay connected.
