Asphaltica 2026, four agorà sessions to define the future of road infrastructure
From 7 to 10 October in Bologna, key infrastructure stakeholders will gather to address road safety, Smart Roads, sustainability, and ESG criteria. At the core of the event, the SITEB Agorà will feature the “Stati Generali” of Road Construction alongside more than 30 technical workshops.
From conventional networks to Smart Roads, from safety imperatives to environmental standards, and from advanced materials to low-impact job sites, the evolution of road infrastructure reflects a broad transition spanning technology, industry, public administration, and technical professions.
This overarching transformation forms the central focus of ASPHALTICA 2026, the international exhibition dedicated to road paving technologies, safety systems, services, and infrastructure, taking place at Bologna Exhibition Centre from 7 to 10 October. Organized by BolognaFiere in collaboration with SITEB (Italian Roads and Bitumen Association), the event gathers the entire road engineering value chain for a high-level forum focused on knowledge exchange, technical dialogue, and strategic solutions.
At the core of the four-day event, the SITEB Agorà will offer a structured cycle of sessions addressing the key policy and operational drivers facing an industry in rapid evolution.
The “Stati Generali” of road construction
The Agorà schedule opens on Wednesday 7 October (12:00-14:00) with the session “The Stati Generali of road construction”
This session will assess the present landscape and strategic outlook of the road construction sector, offering an authoritative platform to review national infrastructure priorities and upcoming industrial scenarios.
From conventional infrastructure to Smart Roads
On Thursday 8 October (12:00 – 14:00), the discussions will focus on technological convergence in the session “From conventional infrastructure to Smart Roads”.
Road safety will be presented as a core systemic driver within a dialogue bringing together technical expertise, strategic foresight, and cross-sector partnerships, examining how digital technologies enhance both infrastructure resilience and mobility systems.
Sustainability and ESG in road construction
The third session takes place on Friday 9 October (12:00 – 14:00): “Sustainability and ESG in road construction”.
Addressing low-impact materials, green site management, corporate governance, and workforce development, this panel explores the structural shifts taking place across the value chain and the need for updated operational models and competencies.
CAM Strade (Minimum Environmental Criteria): from theory to practice
The series concludes on Saturday 10 October (10:00 – 13:00)with the CAM Strade Operational Course, aimed at operators, engineers, contractors, and public procurement bodies.
Providing formal continuing professional development (CPD) credits, this practical session focuses on the core tenets of Italy’s Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) for road design and construction, supporting compliance and implementation.
“The SITEB Agorà sessions serve as an open platform to examine current practice and, above all, the future direction of road infrastructure. As technologies, materials, and operational processes evolve, parameters such as safety, Smart Road integration, sustainability, and ESG compliance become essential to industry progress. ASPHALTICA 2026 offers an authoritative setting for key stakeholders to discuss these developments, align perspectives, and identify new avenues for sustainable growth.” the organizers say.
Where infrastructure vision meets practical application
The SITEB Agorà sessions represent the backbone of ASPHALTICA 2026’s conference schedule, completed by more than 30 technical workshops led by industry suppliers focusing on material innovations, plant equipment, and digital machinery.
Following its 2024 edition – which hosted 120 exhibitors from 10 countries across 7,300 sqm of net exhibition space – ASPHALTICA 2026 targets 150 exhibitors and 10,000 sqm, reinforcing its international reach through dedicated delegation programs for overseas trade buyers and press. As in previous editions, the event will benefit from the active contribution of leading academic institutions and technical authorities.
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