The Province of Ferrara

Ferrara is located north-east of the regional territory, in a strategic position with respect to the airports and stations of Bologna, Verona, and Venice as well as the port of Ravenna. The territory has a population of 347,000 inhabitants and is home to the University of Ferrara which has over 18 thousand enrolled students. Ferrara boasts an outstanding historical and natural heritage with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the historic centre of Ferrara and the Po Delta Park, in addition to the coastal areas. The main industries are mechanics, living and agribusiness but the territory also specialises in fashion and the chemical industry, as well as having an important exhibition centre. Quality of life is high with cultural attractions that include the world’s biggest Busker Festival, a historic theatre and a summer music festival with international star guests.

Population

FERRARA	Data	Source – Year
Total population	346.563	Istat – 2019
Male	48%	Istat – 2019
Female	52%	Istat – 2019
% youth population (<15 years)	10,9%	Istat – 2019
% elderly population (>65 years)	27,9%	Istat – 2019
No. students enrolled in university	18.494	Miur – a.a. 2017/18

Residential property market trends

(SOURCE OMI, ARTER)

The province is made up of 23 municipalities. Between 2013 and 2018, the number of normalised transactions increased by 63% from 2,547.33 to 4,153.57, in 2018 the increase was 12.6% higher than 2017. Data shows an uneven trend between different areas, with variations ranging from a minimum of +4.1% in the “Comacchio” macro-area to a maximum of +40.9% in the “Unione dei Comuni Terre e Fiumi” macro-area.

In terms of property size, transactions in the province of Ferrara can be broken down as shown:

8% properties up to 50 sqm
31% properties between 50 sqm and 85 sqm
27% properties between 85 sqm and 115 sqm
16% properties between 115 sqm and 145 sqm
18% over 145 sqm

The highest average prices are found in Comacchio at €1,496/m² and the provincial capital of Ferrara at €1,215/m².

Description of socio-economic context

Production specialisation, districts and specialities, foreign investors in the province

The main industries are mechanics, living and agribusiness but the territory is also home to important companies in the fashion, chemical and plastic material industry. Ferrara Fiere Congressi is an important exhibition centre, integrated with Bologna Fiere, which organises international events including Remtech (reclamation and environmental safety). A total of 160 foreign multinationals have invested in the province, including: Berluti calzature, Inovyn, Toyota (LTE), Kastamonu, Dover (Officine Meccaniche Sirio), Berco, Rexnord, Coperion, and Verizon (Visirun informatica).

In addition to the various agricultural cooperatives, other outstanding companies include: Bonfiglioli Engineering, Zoffoli Metalli, Mazzoni, and Fava.

Companies and work	Data	Source – Year
Number of local units	35.870	Smail – 2017
Employees	105.570	Smail – 2017
Unemployment rate	9,1%	Istat – 2018

Employees by supply chain (Smail 2017)

Mechanics 17.285_employees

Living 14.808_employees

Primary sector (agriculture) 13.871_employees

Agribusiness 11.557_employees

Health 8.232_employees

Fashion 5.338_employees

Culture and creativity 2.950_employees

Chemical industry and plastic materials 2.386_employees

Services

Innovation, transport, smart city, etc.

In terms of logistics, the province of Ferrara is close to the international airports and high-speed railway stations of Bologna, Verona, Venice and Rimini, in addition to its proximity to the Port of Ravenna. Ferrara holds 20th place nationally (out of over 100 cities) in the 2019 smart city index (E&Y). The Technopole of Ferrara comprises the Scientific-Technological Pole of the University of Ferrara and the Sipro business incubators, as well as 6 laboratories (LTTA, MechLav, TekneHub, Terra & AcquaTech, APM, and CNR-Imamoter) and an innovation centre (CFR).

Cultural and natural heritage, accommodation, tourism

The historic centre of Ferrara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but the whole province boasts attractions of historical and artistic interest, such as the residences of the Dukes of Este. The province registers an annual presence of 2.93 million visitors and an accommodation capacity of approximately 48,000 beds (2018). Natural attractions include the Po Delta Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the coastal areas of Comacchio. Various food and wine tours promote the many typical local products and cultural attractions include the municipal theatre, the world’s biggest Busker Festival and the international music festival “Ferrara sotto le stelle”.

For more information: https://www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/it/localita/ferrara