MAD has unveiled its comprehensive planning proposal for the Scali Milano project, titled "Historical Future: Milan Reborn." Scali Milano is an initiative spearheaded by the Milan city government and FS Sistemi Urbani. The project invited five international architecture firms, including MAD, to collaborate on the redevelopment of the abandoned and deteriorating railway area in the Scali district of Milan. The other participating firms are Stefano Boeri Architetti, Mecanoo architecten, MIRALLES TAGLIABUE EMBT, and Cino Zucchi Architetti.

MAD approaches the Scali Milano project with five key elements: "Connected City," "Green City," "Living City," "Cultural City," and "Resourceful City." The goal is to transform the abandoned district into a vibrant, socially engaging landscape architecture that organically and harmoniously integrates the citizens of Milan, the metropolitan area, and the natural environment. The vision is to create a new, dynamic community that is more active and interconnected.

Milan, located at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Rhine-Alps axes, holds an unparalleled geographic and economic position in Europe. Since the mid-20th century, several railway areas within the Scali Milano district have been abandoned for an extended period. The redevelopment and revitalization of the Scali old town will play a key role in activating the urban fabric and energizing the Milan metropolitan area and the Lombardy region.。

The Milan city government aims to upgrade the city into a world-class global competitor through the redevelopment and overall planning of the old town, addressing the needs of population growth under higher urban density, ensuring convenient future transportation planning, and achieving mixed-use and temporary sustainable development. In December of last year, MAD, along with four other international architecture firms, participated in a three-day workshop led by the city government and FS Sistemi Urbani. The workshop brought together urban planners, scholars, citizens, and architects to contribute to the project.

Ma Yansong emphasized: “The vitality of future cities does not lie in large-scale top-down planning, but in the symbiosis and chemical reactions between multiple urban elements at various levels. Properly activating small districts, small-scale elements, and adding public spaces can rejuvenate and activate community life, while also fostering healthy neighborly relationships within and between communities.” These small-scale elements have the potential to "reproduce" active vitality, meeting various needs, and through local changes, achieve community revival, reshaping Scali's social and economic value, ultimately leading to the overall urban renewal and establishing Scali’s new position within Milan's metropolitan structure.

Scalo Farini

Located in the northwest of Milan, Scalo Farini boasts the largest railway system area (618,000 square meters). Although its geographical location is crucial, as it will be connected to the surrounding areas of Milan through metro and ring-train lines in the future, it is currently just a wasteland. After renovation by MAD, Scalo Farini will transform into a green urban landscape community with multiple commercial, residential, and public functions. The once abandoned U-shaped railway station will be opened into a vast public space, with three micro-communities combining commercial and residential areas distributed within. The community, public spaces, and green parks will be appropriately distanced but easily accessible to each other. Social housing near the green park and two high-rise mixed-use complexes will resonate with the core of the district.

Porta Genova

Located in the southeastern part of Milan, Porta Genova is renowned as the headquarters of international fashion and cultural brands. MAD transforms the narrow gap in the middle into a public space for exhibitions and performances, providing people with the opportunity to step away from their busy work lives and engage with and appreciate culture and art. MAD aims to connect the previously disconnected areas by inserting small-scale elements that align with the district's character, transforming it into an organic whole with cultural and artistic attributes.

MAD also conducted detailed research proposals for five other railway areas: Scalo San Cristoforo, Scalo Rogoredo, Scalo Lambrate, Scalo Greco-Breda, and Scalo Porta Romana. The overall Scali Milano planning research proposal was exhibited during Milan Design Week from April 4th to 9th.

Ma Yansong, Milan's Deputy Mayor and Head of Urban Planning/Agriculture Pierfrancesco Maran, and FS Sistemi Urbani CEO Carlo De Vito at the MAD research report presentation site – December 2016 Scali Milano joint workshop现场.

April 6, 2017, Scali Milano research report presentation