Milan's multicentric urban vision: new districts by Snøhetta, Chipperfield, Hadid

Milan, often seen as less charming than Rome or Florence, is undergoing a transformation through ambitious urban redevelopment initiatives aimed at becoming a multicentric city. In contrast to Italy's historic cities that prioritize preservation, Milan's post-war reconstruction and industrial growth have cultivated a progressive mindset. Notable projects include CityLife and Porta Nuova, which have emerged over the last decade with contributions from architects like Stefano Boeri, Daniel Libeskind, Zaha Hadid, and Mario Cucinella. The recent addition is Snøhetta's Pirelli 35, revamping a 1960s block in Porta Nuova into a mixed-use space featuring a deli from local bakery Pan. Snøhetta is also developing a new neighborhood on the site of a former slaughterhouse. Other projects in progress are Porta Romana, Scalo Farini, Santa Giulia (which will host David Chipperfield's sports arena for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics), and the Milano Certosa District led by RealStep. While Milan's tram, metro, and urban-rail systems are decent, the Passante train requires more than just cosmetic improvements ahead of the 2026 Winter Games. This year, Milan secured the 12th spot in Monocle's Quality of Life Survey.