Italy has reimagined its metro tunnels as emergency shelters for the homeless during harsh winters. Engineers in Milan and Rome collaborated with humanitarian groups to install foldable, roll-out bunk beds along unused sections of the subway — complete with ventilation, insulation, and antibacterial surfaces.
The initiative began after the winter of 2023 claimed dozens of lives among the unhoused population. Each bunk module features wipe-clean surfaces, fireproof materials, and compact storage, ensuring that public safety isn’t compromised. The design allows workers to quickly deploy or remove the beds within minutes, maintaining the operational integrity of the metro system.