Milan Aims to Turn Abandoned Fairgrounds Into Tech Hub - Bloomberg

Six years after Milan’s World Expo closed its doors to visitors, the sprawling fairgrounds that were once a target of protesters are finally set for a makeover. Italy’s financial center is taking cues from Silicon Valley to transform an area more than twice the size of the Vatican into a sustainable, post-pandemic technology center. The 4.5 billion-euro ($5.1 billion) redevelopment of one of Europe’s biggest vacant lots includes research labs, a startup accelerator and a science campus. Housing and working space for 60,000 people, including accommodation for 3,000 students, will be connected by one of the longest linear parks in Europe along the main “decumano” — a nod to the East-West corridor in the city planning of ancient Rome. With the goal of becoming a landmark for green urban planning, the district will be completely powered by renewable energy and will be car-free, with access provided by high-speed rail and Milan’s public transport system — a second metro station will be oper

saved by

• Timothy Im