The Empty Metropolis: Milan’s
A recent pandemic involving the COVID-19 virus has changed the face of many urban centers, evoking a plethora of innovations in health care, housing and transportation. In particular, the city of Milan is a case study of the positive effects of public and private initiatives to cope with an unprecedented emergency affecting millions of people in the city.
A number of studies have explored the impact of this pandemic on the city, ranging from social research and literature reviews to interviews with a selection of local experts. Among the most important findings is that a new approach to economic development is under way that has an impact on the overall quality of life in Milan. This has led to the establishment of the ‘provincial’ model of economic planning, with a more strategic approach to urban regeneration and the emergence of a “prosperous” urban fabric accompanied by the best of breed service sectors.
The empty metropolis may be a relic of the past, but in the long run it has the power to transform the very city it represents into the most sustainable and livable place in town. To make this happen, a new urban recovery agenda must be devised. Firstly, it must be an eminently feasible proposition that is anchored to the principles of proximity economy and to the city’s most promising social and economic drivers. Secondly, it must take into account the city’s most disadvantaged and least advantaged groups. Finally, it must be designed to be as efficient and cost-effective as possible while at the same time making the city a better place to live and work.
The Empty Metropolis: Milan’s Post-Pandemic Landscape
It’s hard to believe that in a few months, a massive outbreak of a deadly coronavirus will have left Milan looking like something out of an episode of the Twilight Zone. But that’s what happened to the city on Monday night as Lombardy, Italy’s fashion and financial capital, imposed an 11pm curfew to try to contain the epidemic which has killed at least 12 people.
The project was developed by CRA for real estate group covivio, with collaboration from environmental experts habitech. This ‘green ring’ will link the city’s main attractions and businesses, creating spaces for people to interact with nature without ever leaving the city centre.
Isola, which is a little further from the city centre, has become a creative hub over the past few years, with art-deco apartments sprouting up everywhere. It’s still a working-class neighborhood, but its newer feel has made it a desirable area for tourists and locals alike.
Its awe-inspiring, if somewhat overbearing, architecture makes Milan a humbling place to explore. But its surroundings are equally captivating: the mountains of Lombardy, the vast Lakes district and Bergamo Alta, with its imposing castles and ancient churches, are all within easy reach.