Tripoli hosted the Italian Design Day 2026 yesterday, bringing together a distinguished group of Libyan and Italian architects, designers, and academics. The event was organized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and the OpportunItaly Initiative, in collaboration with the Libyan Architecture Authority.
This year's event focused on the theme "Design, Sustainability, and Urban Identity: Redesigning, Renewing Spaces, Objects, Ideas, and Relationships," aiming to foster dialogue on the future of cities and the role of design in achieving sustainable development.
On the sidelines of the event, a publication titled "The Path of Italian Architecture in Tripoli: From Eclecticism to Rationalism," supported by the Italian Embassy in Libya, was presented. The publication documents the most prominent architectural landmarks built during the early decades of the 20th century and explores the evolution of the Italian architectural school in the capital, highlighting its integral role in Tripoli's urban fabric. It also offers an architectural and historical perspective on this legacy.
In an exclusive statement to the Libya Herald, Ghaleb Al-Giblawi, General Manager of ADD Exhibitions and Conferences, said that organizing the event reflects a growing interest in using design and architecture as a means of cultural dialogue and strengthening cooperation between Libya and Italy. He noted that the event brought together experts and professionals from both countries to exchange experiences in the fields of urban design, heritage preservation, and sustainability.
Al-Giblawi added that Tripoli possesses a rich architectural heritage representing a blend of different civilizations, and that preserving and developing this heritage according to modern standards contributes to supporting the city's urban identity and creates new opportunities for cooperation and investment in the design, restoration, and urban planning sectors.
Italian architecture in Libya is considered one of the most prominent periods that influenced the urban landscape of Libyan cities, especially in Tripoli and Benghazi, where many government buildings, public squares, and historical structures still bear witness to that era.
Despite its association with the Italian colonial period, this architecture is now studied from an architectural and cultural perspective as part of the cities' urban history, with an emphasis on the need to understand this heritage within its full historical context, encompassing its architectural, political, and social dimensions.
This event comes within the context of growing Libyan-Italian cooperation in the fields of culture, heritage and architecture, which enhances the exchange of experiences and supports initiatives aimed at revitalizing urban spaces and improving the quality of the built environment in Libya.