WORLD EXPO SITE UPGRADE
07 Dec 2017
A major international project by Lendlease will see the 2015 World Expo Site in Milan transformed into a new science and technology park that will cover 100-hectares and include an array of public facilities.
Milan’s 2015 World Expo Site will become the site of a new 100-hectare science and technology park under the development of Lendlease and urban designer Carol Ratti. The collaboration was recently awarded a first stage consultancy agreement for the site.
The agreement, which will run for the next 12 months, will see Lendlease and Carlo Ratti Associate develop a masterplan for the site that is said to include offices and international research centre, a hospital and university, together with residential and cultural spaces. The masterplan will also include the world’s first neighbourhood planned for self-driving vehicles. 
Initially envisioned by Arexpo – the agency set up to acquire and develop the land – as a knowledge and innovation park that will serve as a “hub for excellence” that will attract investors and become a verdant space for the community.
"The former site of Milan World Expo will become a place to experiment in new ways of working, doing research, inhabiting spaces, enjoying life, and getting around – a garden city shaped by the evolving needs of its inhabitants," said Mr Ratti.
The Masterplan for the site also includes a 1.6km-long long linear park that will sit at the centre of the development. Over time this area will be utilised solely by autonomous vehicles, resulting in an increase in shared transportation with fewer vehicles needed to satisfy the community’s mobility demands. 
Lendlease head of Italy and Continental Europe Andrea Ruckstuhl said the company was excited to work with Arexpo in planning what would be a significant urban renewal project.
“The Expo in 2015 was a very positive event, bringing together millions of people from across the world to experience a showcase of technology, innovation, culture and creativity.
“There is now a unique opportunity to build on all that Expo represented and create an ongoing positive legacy for Milan and its residents.” 
The project marks a feather in the international cap of Lendlease’s Europe-based projects, which are showing an upturn after steady decrease since 2014.
