Milan's Phase 2: Culture, Design, and Tactical Urbanism for Post-Lockdown

On April 23, 2020, Milan Mayor Beppe Sala, quoting Mario Draghi, announced a planning phase for the city's reopening after COVID-19 lockdown. The municipality issued a 'Strategia di adattamento' (Adaptation Strategy), an open document inviting public contributions. Key measures include creating a cycling network for green mobility, reducing bureaucracy, expanding telematics, decentralizing commercial services, and enlarging parks for social distancing. Culture plays a central role: the strategy promotes 'diffuse culture' through neighborhood libraries, cinemas, theaters, and small venues, with staggered capacity and multiple replicas across districts. The 'Estate Sforzesca' festival (8th edition) will serve as a pilot for outdoor performances with limited audiences. Museums and libraries are to reopen gradually. Tactical urbanism interventions include temporary pedestrianizations, sidewalk widening, speed reduction to 30 km/h, and converting parking spaces into restaurant terraces. The plan aims for a '15-minute city' where essential services are within walking distance, reducing inter-district travel. Designers and architects are encouraged to collaborate with merchants to reorganize commercial spaces. The construction sector will focus on maintenance and energy retrofitting of public and private buildings, with temporary reuse of school buildings in summer under 'Milano school oasis' initiative.