Milano Expo 2015 Regeneration Process: Between Legacy and Megaproject

Abstract

Essay main goal is a critical discussion about prospects and methods of the development—intended simultaneously as regeneration, redevelopment and reuse—of Expo 2015 area. The asset seems to be an exemplary case-study of megaproject, where at least 3 interacting aspects could be highlighted, all of them capable of defining a specific focus, along the complex ridges among architecture, planning and landscape: the emerging need to design a neighborhood/city ex novo, in a very brief time frame; an overlapping of highly attractive public and private functions, with a strong international vocation; a close integration between urban design and landscape project, as key factors of the quality. The analysis proposes a method based on a complex evaluation, structured around some nodal elements applied: time, urban structure and tissue, design of open spaces, integration, actors involved. The result will allow to define a clear method of reading and evaluating complex projects, characterized by the participation of various stakeholders, not separating it from the landscape, urban and architectural project elements and components. The cultural background is characterized by the strong conviction that they need to be supporting factors, and not secondary ones, in the processes of decision-making about territorial transformations.