# Artistic Sewer Toppers The Milan Manhole Project Brings Sewage System Art to Italy By Michael Hines | Published 2010-11-17 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/milan-manhole-project References: [curatedmag](http://www.curatedmag.com/news/2010/11/12/street-art-manhole-covers-in-milan/) & [babelfish.yahoo](http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http://glltn.com/blog/2010/11/shepard-fairey-invader-the-london-police-flying-fortress-and-rendo-manholes-project-milan/) The streets of Milan are looking a lot more colorful thanks in part to the Milan Manhole Project. This project brings the [artistically designed manhole covers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1) first seen in Japan to the Italian city. The Milan Manhole Project features vivid and creative covers that share the same spirit, but not style, as their Japanese counterparts. [Various artists contributed](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-sculptures) to the project, which will stay in place on the streets of Milan for two years. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 13% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Artistic Manhole Covers:** Opportunity to incorporate artistic designs into typically overlooked infrastructure elements - **Cultural Exchange:** Bringing international art styles and influences into local communities through public projects - **Urban Beautification:** Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of cities by transforming mundane objects into artistic expressions ### Where This Applies - **Urban Design:** Innovative designs for infrastructure elements like manhole covers that add value to urban spaces - **Tourism:** Creating unique attractions and landmarks in cities that appeal to tourists - **Art and Design:** Collaboration between artists and urban planners to create public art installations that enliven urban environments ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Milan Streets-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/il-salotto-milanese.md) - [Illuminated Public Artful Toilets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiroo-east-park.md) - [Contemporary Terracotta Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cottomilano.md) - [Waste Tarp-Made Public Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/membran-collective.md) - [Repurposed Waste Transit Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeffrey-miller.md) - [Color-In Commuter Tunnels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masterpeace-painting.md) - [Colorful Educational Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparking-change.md) - [Monochromatic Sculptural Gateways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sculptural-gateway.md) - [Caravan-Shaped Artist Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-residency-in-milan.md)