The choice of shipping containers as the structural solution for the urban micro hub was primarily motivated by economic and regulatory factors. Constructing dedicated spaces using prefabricated building systems with permanent foundations would have significantly increased both costs and administrative complexity. In particular, this approach would have required compliance with national building regulations, including the submission of structural documentation in accordance with Italian seismic legislation, signed by a licensed engineer. This process would have involved additional design work, technical assessments, and longer approval timelines.
In contrast, refurbished shipping containers provide a flexible and cost-effective alternative. Once adapted for use as a micro hub, the containers can, under Italian law, be classified as either movable assets (beni mobili) or immovable assets (beni immobili). An immovable asset is defined as property permanently incorporated into the ground. As the containers are not anchored to the soil and can, in principle, be relocated without structural demolition, they were classified as movable assets. This interpretation is consistent with their physical characteristics and functional use. Classification as movable assets allowed for a simplified concession and leasing procedure, with fewer regulatory constraints and reduced administrative burden, thereby ensuring greater procedural efficiency within the project implementation framework.
For micro hubs, support from local authorities appears essential but does not guarantee success. Locations within existing infrastructure, in areas not visible to outsiders (such as underground car parks, unused spaces under bridges or viaducts), or on private land – particularly industrial or commercial sites – are much more likely to succeed. Additionally, sharing the solution among different entities, especially those providing last-mile deliveries in complementary time slots, can lead to financial, environmental, and process efficiencies.