From 19 to 22 November 2025, MIBA – Milan International Building Alliance – once again impressively demonstrated why it is one of Europe’s leading events for the built environment. With 85,000 trade visitors from 112 countries and 1,369 exhibitors, the event recorded significant growth of five per cent compared to 2023 and confirmed its role as the leading platform for innovation in construction, building technology and safety.

As a combination of MADE expo, SMART BUILDING EXPO, SICUREZZA and the Global Elevator Exhibition (GEE), MIBA offered a comprehensive overview of technologies, materials, solutions and regulatory trends throughout the entire building life cycle – from architecture and technical building equipment to lift systems, security solutions and digitally controlled services.

Sustainability as a guiding principle in construction

One of the defining themes of this year’s edition was the question of how the industry can translate the ambitious European targets for decarbonising the building stock into concrete projects.

The discourse on sustainable materials, circular construction approaches and energy-efficient systems ran through all four trade fair formats. A visible symbol of this development was the Made Sustainable Prize (SusPrize), which recognised projects that combine sustainability, design quality and social added value.

Niccolò Aste from the Politecnico di Milano emphasised: “Today, there is a clear trend towards a conscious aesthetic that sacrifices neither material nor social quality. Regenerated living spaces, sustainable materials and community-oriented architecture are no longer a niche – they form a new development model.”

MIBA is thus focusing more than ever on the European vision of resource-efficient and livable construction.

Energy and digital transition: the key to modernising the building stock

Another key topic was the transformation of technical infrastructure. From intelligent energy management systems to integrated digital platforms, solutions were presented that have the potential to make buildings safer, more efficient and more economical.

Roberto Martino, President of Prosiel, emphasised the urgency: “The electrification and digitalisation of buildings requires a new awareness of previously underestimated challenges – such as the widespread inadequacy of modern electrical installations. MIBA is a laboratory for innovation that shows how safety and sustainability must be considered together.”

The security industry in particular is benefiting from this development: modern sensor technology, AI-supported monitoring, networked access systems and automated analysis tools promise a new level of prevention and resilience in public and private buildings.

Professionalism in the security sector: training becomes strategic

With over 100 conferences and seminars, MIBA focused on the topic of professional qualifications. Drastic changes are particularly evident in the field of security: technologies are developing rapidly and requirement profiles are becoming more complex.

Carlo Hruby, Vice President of the Enzo Hruby Foundation, underlined this with a concrete project: ‘In order to protect cultural assets effectively, specialists are needed who combine technological expertise with knowledge of the cultural context.’

The Advanced Training Course in Cultural Security Management, developed in collaboration with the University of Pavia and presented at the fair, establishes the profession of Cultural Security Manager for the first time in Italy. This role combines skills in the use of modern security technologies with an understanding of the curatorial, conservation and organisational requirements of cultural institutions.

MIBA is thus sending a strong signal: security is increasingly understood as an interdisciplinary task in which technology, planning and human expertise work together.

Conclusion: MIBA consolidates its role as a European forum for the future

The 2025 edition has shown that MIBA is much more than just a trade fair. It is a strategic exchange platform that brings together companies, institutions, research and users. The key developments – sustainability, energy and digital transformation, and the professionalisation of the industry – form the foundation for the coming years of construction and building security.

MIBA 2025 impressively demonstrated that the future of the built environment lies in a combination of technological progress, social responsibility and international cooperation.

The industry is already eagerly awaiting the next edition:

17–19 November 2027, Fiera Milano.