After the Expo 2015 success with 21 million visitors, Milan has experienced years of continuous cultural growth, a true renaissance in all sectors. Over the past 5 years, in addition to confirming its leadership in fashion and lifestyle through a wide range of art and cultural fairs and events, Milan has changed its skyline becoming the queen of the Italian smart cities and a model for well-being and quality of life: from business and work to environment and services, from justice and security to culture and leisure. This year Milan has won the Wallpaper design award 2019, positioning itself as the city of the year according to the British magazine that rewards the avant-garde in design, architecture and art. A recognition that confirms the role of Milan as one of the most sought-after destinations on an international level.

Bosco Verticale. Image © Federico Belloni

This ongoing cultural transformation finds a significant contribution in the increasing development of Green Architecture, that is the main driver of the urban renovation process. In the last 10 years the face of the city has indeed renewed itself through multiple urban and architectural redevelopments, all inspired by the design principles innovation and environmental sustainability. From the Porta Nuova complex (2007-2017) by: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Kohn Perdersen Fox, Boeri Studio, Piuarch, Muñoz + Albin, Arquitectonica, M2P Associati, William McDonough, Lucien Lagrange, aMDL Michele De Lucchi, MCA Mario Cucinella, Baukuh, to the Bosco Verticale (2014) by Stefano Boeri; from the Feltrinelli Foundation (2016) by Herzog & De Meuron, to the Citylife skyscrapers and apartments (2006-2023) by Zaha Hadid, Arata Isozaki and Daniel Libeskind; from the accommodation of the Portello District (2002-2016) by: Studio Valle Architetti Associati, Cino Zucchi Architects, Associated Channels, Charles Jencks and Andreas Kipar / LAND Milan, to the Tortona District (2002-2016) by David Chipperfield, Antonio Citterio, Mario Cucinella, Matteo Thun and Tadao Ando.

Portello Park – Ex Alfa Romeo Area. Image © LAND

City Life apartments. Image © Federico Belloni

And also, from the Prada Foundation (2015-2017) of the OMA study, to the Bocconi University of Grafton Architects (2007). And, more recently new urban spaces: from the Apple Store (2018) in Piazza Liberty by Norman Foster to the Symbiosis District (2018) by Antonio Citterio.

Apple Store, Piazza Liberty. Image © Antonello

In addition to all the above mentioned projects, many others are under construction or in the planning phase. Among these it is worth mentioning the urban regeneration of 7 undismissed railway stations into a new large urban park, Scali MIlano Competition, a six-kilometer ecological corridor across the areas of Porta Genova, Roman airport, Farini , Greco-Breda, Rogoredo, Lambrate and San Cristoforo. Same as the project of the Arexpo site: Mind, the new district of Milan: a real city in the city that looks to the future with a vision that combines the scientific, academic and environmental care aspects. These projects that are tracing a clear path for the urban future of Milan in 2030: a greener city, as well as more inclusive and open to the world.

nd Arexpo. Image © MIndmilano

Capital of the design and environmental sustainability, Milan is therefore today: The Green capital. It lives the green culture as the "new normal" according to the slogan coined by the European Regional Network of the Green Building Council. A culture spread every day by the city through influencing holistic messages. A city that, together with its major architectural projects, encourages a green lifestyle with awareness campaigns such as Milano plastic Free, a project started last January with the aim to fight plastic waste and pollution by promoting a plastic-free approach in the use of glasses, cutlery, plates, bags and other disposable containers. These days it enlarges the Low Emission Zone through its neighbors and supports sustainable mobility by promoting more public transport, sharing and cycling.  Milan "Lights Less" together with Italy at the beginning of March, it shuts down the Castello Sforzesco and the Palazzo Marino, and represents an example of energy saving. The Green Capital promotes sustainability as a widespread culture, small daily gestures to major projects and cultural events.

Porta Nuova, Milan (Italy), 2006 - 2016. Image © LAND

In this context we find the coming event in Milan: The week of sustainable energies, to be held from March 18 to 24, 2019, through the Environment and Mobility Department and AMAT, in collaboration with MCE-Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, and GBC Italy.  An initiative that strives to promote an approach based on the concepts of energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as to point out the actions that we can all put in place to make our cities be more sustainable and comfortable. A fascinating vision of the new "green" Renaissance through interventions of international speakers and some of the most important actors of the Italian changing panorama.

City Life towers. Image © Green Building Council Italia

For these 7 days GBC Italy, will organize many activities and projects to promote at all levels the principles of sustainability. On March 21, 2019, the International conference titled "Green Cities: the" new normal ": from green buildings to the sustainable city for everybody. On 22 March, on the occasion of World Water Day, a seminar on the efficiency of water within the buildings entitled  "Blue Gold". The event will also be an opportunity to reward Italian Excellencies through the GBC Italia Awards. During the initiative will be organized guided tours, with the collaboration of the Professionals of GBC Italy, to the new buildings of Milan recognized as landmarks of the principles of sustainable design. Many visits scheduled: 20 March 2019 | 15:00-16:30, City Life, Green Jewels, meeting point: Piazza Tre Torri-Entrance Mall, 21 March 2019 | 15:00-17:00, Piazza Cordusio (in front of Starbucks), 21 March 2019 | 14:30-17:00, Porta Nuova – varesine, meeting point: Piazza G. Aulenti-c/O Unicredit tower Entrance, 22 March 2019 | 15:00-16:30 Porta Nuova Milano Leed Base Camp, Meeting point: Piazza G. Aulenti-c/O entrance pavillion Unicredit.

Milan, contemporary details. Image © Federico Belloni

On this occasion it will be illustrated the first map of the green certified buildings of Milan: an innovative communication tool that communicates with everybody to address the environmental high standards of the city. This festival involves all the population, from the professional experts to the citizens and the children. MCE in the City 2019 will in fact hit – thanks to one of the first electric buses circulating in Milan – some squares where educational initiatives for the children of primary and secondary schools are going to be held, in order to illustrate the Green capital of design and sustainability and to educate to the change through the quality of the environment. An initiative aiming to promote the small daily gestures and the commitment of all for an increasingly green city.

Top image courtesy of Antonello Magliozzi