The environment issue is strictly related to the above illustrated themes, either for the pollution emissions reduction and for the use of resources obtained from non-renewable energy sources. Basing on these considerations, the Municipality of Milan established an Agency able to give an indispensable support for the tasks of planning and programming. The local transport reform, started with the Legislative Decrees 422/97 and 112/98, and with the Regional Law 22/98, opened to the market the former concession of the transport contract, provided also by European Directives and rules, can be reasons enough to start the Agency activities.

Milan, which is geographically situated on the northern side of the country, is the economical and financial centre; it is, in fact, an industry, finance, tertiary industry capital and main site of prestigious universities. Heart of the information and the communication, Milan is one of the best articulated and integrated productive basins in Europe. For these reasons it is very difficult to face the mobility problems of Milan limiting the extension to the administrative boudaries. The Milan and Lombardy area has a wide and flexible basin, populated by over 7.5 million inhabitants. The airports of Malpensa and Linate, together with Orio al Serio, represent the entrance door in Italy from Europe and the world.
Milan is situated in the midpoint of a wide urban system, formed not only by the city and the neighbouring towns, but also by other crown cities situated in Lombardy and other Regions, such as Novara and Piacenza, which have historically built up a strong relationship network with Milan.

A real demarcation line between mobility and environment cannot be traced in planning. The rationalisation of the urban traffic raises the efficiency of the metropolitan network relationships an increases the urban quality of life. An example above all illustrate what affirmed: the limitation to the circulation of private cars within the cities.
If, from one side this measure is imposed by the necessity of maintaining the accessibility levels precluded by high congestion levels, which decrease efficiency and functionality of the urban system, from other side it consents to face the growing demand of a higher environmental quality and better quality of life.