Milan’s Conca De Amicis project to create new neighborhood with Roman amphitheater park

A new urban district called Conca De Amicis is taking shape in Milan, centered on the PAN – Parco Anfiteatro Naturale, a 100,000-square-meter archaeological park built around the city’s Roman amphitheater. Discovered in 1931 during sewer excavations by Alda Levi, the amphitheater’s footprint is being recreated through ground reliefs and plantings, with 60,000 locust wood discs simulating Roman sand in the new arena. The project, promoted by Associazione NMG/5VIE in collaboration with Brand for the City, also integrates the Conca di Viarenna, a historic Navigli water lock now cared for by Italia Nostra. The central zone will open in spring 2026, with outer areas including the “Zodiac” section completed later. La Scala has requested an orchestral lane for two annual events. The initiative aims to foster community engagement through events, maps, shared routes, and digital tools, guided by the Faro Convention principles. Claudio Bertona of Brand for the City emphasized recreating a sense of active participation and neighborhood identity.