Genoa, one of Italy’s largest cities and home to its busiest port, has teamed up with AkzoNobel to roll out a long-term color strategy aimed at preserving the city’s architectural identity—particularly around its historic Old Port district.

 

Under a new three-year agreement led by the company’s Sikkens brand, the initiative will establish detailed technical guidelines governing the colors and materials used in future façade restoration and redevelopment projects. Many buildings in the area date back to the 18th century, making visual consistency and historical accuracy a central focus.

 

“Genoa has a very strong identity which goes back hundreds of years,” explains Simone Mazzoli, Commercial Director of AkzoNobel in Italy. “Together with the municipality, we’re using our expertise to help strengthen the role of color as an identifying element of the city, while contributing to the preservation and enhancement of Genoa’s historic urban landscape.”

 

City officials say the goal is not to impose rigid rules but to provide a practical framework for future urban interventions. 

 

Francesca Coppola, Genoa’s Municipal Councilor for Urban Planning, adds: “The goal is not to define a rigid model, but to provide a useful tool to accompany future interventions on facades with greater attention to urban quality, consistency with the historical context and enhancement of existing features.”

 

The project includes an extensive historical and technical study of Genoa’s traditional building colors, materials, and application methods—combining archival research with AkzoNobel’s coatings expertise. The result will be a set of practical tools for architects, planners, and citizens aimed at supporting coordinated redevelopment of the historic center and strengthening the city’s visual identity.

 

“We’ve divided the part of the city covered by the plan into three areas and will work in stages,” continues Mazzoli. “We’re starting with the area at the front of the harbor, which we’ll deliver this year, and hope to complete all three phases by the end of 2027.”