miralles tagliabue EMBT proposes ‘7 miracles’ to reimagine milan's disused railroads

during milan design week 2017, the visions of five architectural teams were presented for ‘scali milano’ where they unveiled their ambitious plans to re-imagine milan‘s disused railway yards. one of the proposals by EMBT, ‘miracles in milan’ focuses on the importance of water as a means to connect the city with its population, nature, and history. another example, ‘historical future: milan reborn’ by MAD architects, sees the city’s underused plots becoming interconnected micro-systems conforming to five spatial concepts.

scalo porta genova san cristoforo
all images © miralles tagliabue EMBT

the brief was initiated by FS sistemi urbani, in collaboration with the municipality of milan and the lombardy region to promote a new all-inclusive, thriving and sustainable urban regeneration of seven former railway yards. this would see the transformation of over one million square meters of brownfield into urban areas with housing, offices, retail and cultural institutions.

led by architect benedetta tagliabue, EMBT promotes their proposal to improve and make milan a more relaxed and comfortable place to live. the seven districts around the city would encompass a unique character dedicated to cultural programming, design and fashion, while others are zoned for young companies and start-ups.

scalo porta genova san cristoforo: the area will revolve around creativity and agri-culture hubs

taking urban-planning cues from cities including naples, paris, hamburg and barcelona, EMBT’s response sees 7 miracles for milan. scalo porta genova and scalo s. cristoforo will become an area supporting creativity and agri-culture hubs. the darsena and tortona district will evolve into exhibition spaces dedicated to emerging entrepreneurs and residences will highlight the relationship between the hub and design and fashion. there will be places strengthening the vocation of this area to live even during the night, with pubs, romantic walking paths and lights reflected in the canal water.

scalo greco-breda

water is the element that harmoniously links together the two scali of canals with the vegetation and used as the element that draws visitors from the creativity hub to san cristoforo. a huge botanical garden will be an important educational feature and refers back to the theme of food that was introduced during the 2015 milan expo. it will grow around the the unfinished train station of aldo rossi: in the vision, this will be an urban agriculture interpretation center, where schools and citizens can learn all about the agricultural roots of the lombardia territories.

scalo greco-breda: pedestrian crossings on different levels connect the neighborhoods

the scalo greco-breda railway yard area will be transformed into a light hub. characteristic pedestrian crossings on different levels would connect the neighborhoods of bicocca and precotto. the green pathways are reminiscent if the suppleness of the tire; linking back to the pirelli factory which is located in the area. meanwhile, green platforms ad playgrounds will be scattered around to enliven public areas, while at night the space can be utilized for large-scale light shows and installation

the scalo greco-breda railway yard area will be transformed into a light hub

scalo farini

the final district, the scalo farini will be the water hub that links back to the canals that use to flow through the area. the expansive water basin situated at the center of the area could become one of the most recognizable elements of the city. a linear park (from bovisa to porta garibaldi) could evolve into the second biggest green area in the city containing residences and facilities to cater urban activities.

scalo farini: a park (from bovisa to porta garibaldi) with recreational areas will draw the public into the area

elements taken from the theme of locomotives and railway networks will be translated into an area for hosting concerts and cultural events. a small train would link the ‘city of children’ to the ‘railway’s museum’ and a new public swimming pool will be established on the area between the airport and the bovisa train station.

scalo farini: the area of water that occupies the center of the area could become a recognizable place in the city

project info:

name: miracoli a milano 2016-2017
location: milan, italy
organization: FS sistemi urbani, the municipality of milan and lombardy region
architect: benedetta tagliabue – EMBT
project director: elena nedelcu – EMBT
project coordinator: marzia faranda – EMBT
design team: michela cicuto, stefano belingardi, davide panelli, ana otelea, federica benedetti,
anna martina peccia, lap anthony lin, vincenzo larocca, hélène dorny, andrea montiel,
federico volpi, annarita luvero, antonio bergamasco, anna angelelli, giacomo destefani.
external consultants: matteo ruta, gabriele masera, francesco causone, lorenzo mussone,
rosantonietta scramaglia. (polimi). elisabeth gavrilovich, emilio pizzi, luca puri, valerio ferrari
typology: masterplan, urban regeneration
built area: 1250 ha