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Regenerating abandoned industrial sites is one of the many ways cities have of reinventing themselves for the future – an opportunity to design more resilient urban environments, enhance mobility, boost economic growth and nurture social development. Embracing sustainability, reimagining these pockets of unused land can revitalise the urban landscape and create more opportunities for residents and businesses.
Arup’s urban regeneration masterplan for a 11-hectare disused industrial site in the city of Pavia, south of Milan, celebrates the area’s industrial heritage and its agricultural surroundings. The design focused on a sustainable mixed-use development that favours active transport modes and green infrastructure. Mobility and connectivity are the design drivers for this masterplan, which won Italy’s 2022 Urban Planning Award.
Appointed by developer PV01.RE, Arup brought together an integrated team of architects, planners and sustainability consultants to create a pedestrian and bike friendly mixed-use urban regeneration proposal, featuring smart living accommodation and student housing as well as retail and office space and a new hotel facility.
The strategic masterplan will preserve the site’s historic industrial landmarks like the entrance building to the former Necchi Factory and the industrial chimney, while integrating green infrastructure through a mix of green, open spaces.
Project Summary
11ha industrial site
100,000 m₂ green spaces
≈ 89,000tCO2 reduction
Active travel and sustainable mobility
Mobility and integration are two key design drivers for the masterplan, which seeks to seamlessly stitch the area back into the city and bring it closer than ever to Milan. Pavia’s Supernova redevelopment will be serviced by a new Pavia Nord station on the SS13 line, connecting to Milano Rogoredo in 19 minutes.
Opening onto a large new square, arriving passengers will easily transit from the station to the rest of the site through a well-lit pedestrian and cycling underpass. Beyond strong connections with Pavia’s historic city centre, Supernova will also connect with surrounding areas including public services like the San Matteo hospital and the Cittá Giardino district.
Supernova will include an extensive cycle and pedestrian network, crisscrossing a main diagonal retail thoroughfare. The network will extend from the new train station square to the Navigli canal and Pavia city centre.
“Quality of life, proximity to nature and solid connectivity links will help medium-sized cities such as Pavia attract more businesses and new residents. Our Supernova urban redevelopment masterplan creates the conditions for this step change. ”
Stefano Recalcati Associate Director
Embracing circularity
Embracing circular economy principles, the masterplan design looks to recover materials from any potential demolitions and soil remediation works to re-use as new landscaping features and buildings.
The design responds to the client's ambitious decarbonisation objectives, with a series of strategies to lower CO2 emissions during construction and in future operations, including the use of district heating and widespread planting of trees.
Remediation works are currently taking place on the site, with construction work is expected to start towards the end of 2023.
“Our sustainable regeneration masterplan for Supernova takes a holistic approach to transforming the area into a vibrant district, integrated into Pavia's exsiting urban fabric. ”
David Hirsch Associate Director
Awards
Arup’s Supernova urban regeneration masterplan won the Urban Planning Award 2022 by the Institute of Urban Planning in Italy.
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