a metropolis EMBRACING CHANGE

By Pierfrancesco Maran - 10 December 2018

Milan is undergoing far-reaching change. The 2015 Expo not only led to economic and urban growth, it triggered a new dynamism, making the city an international attraction. As a result, Milan has become more beautiful, welcoming and efficient. This in turn has led to an increase in its population, especially in the 20-40 age bracket, a growth of incoming tourists - the city is now permanently one of Italy’s most visited cities together with Rome, Venice and Florence, an unthinkable achievement not so long ago - and a rise in employment. Urban development has taken a leap forward. Projects like Porta Nuova and CityLife have not just changed the city’s skyline, adding to its many famous iconic buildings. They have ushered in a successful new development model based on environmental sustainability and urban quality not only of the buildings going up but also in terms of more amenable public spaces. Innovative construction methods have not only delivered increasing building efficiency, they have also led to a significant number of new public parks and squares as well as to the provision of more community services. Built close to the city’s subway and railway networks, both projects are fundamentally sustainable, their easy accessibility making them a major attraction for both locals and tourists. Improvements in mobility have led to new attitudes and a more livable city. The metro network was extended in 2014 with the addition of the M5 line, while the M4 will come into service in 2021, linking Linate airport to the city center in just 15 minutes. Car, bike and scooter sharing has soared, helping to cut the number of private cars on the road. At the same time, the city’s cultural offering has broadened, now providing an extraordinary range of exhibitions, art and entertainment. There are many new cultural venues too: the Prada Foundation, which together with the new landmark Symbiosis business district and the recently inaugurated Piazza...