Dreamy residences and soft lines define this location. Today, we find ourselves in Parco di CityLife. It is a unique green space in the heart of Milan. This wasn’t always the case.
Let’s step back. Imagine the former Fiera di Milano district. It underwent a significant redevelopment through the CityLife project. This transformation gave 168,000 square meters to the city. This space was destined for new greenery. In 2010, an international design competition was launched. The goal was to create a public space. It needed to be a sustainable park. It should symbolize connection. It had to integrate with urban layouts.
Over 70 candidates participated. The winning project was “A park between the mountains and the plain.” Gustafson Porter and One Works designed it. The landscape reflects Lombardy’s variety. Parco di CityLife recreates Milan’s microcosm. It mirrors the region’s characteristics. Two contrasting aspects converge here. These are the mountains and the plain.
From a functional perspective, the park maximizes usability. It is a modern park from an ecological point of view. The variety encourages social interaction. It invites walks and contemplation. Terrain modeling connects the park. It unites it with the context. The topography moves and bends. It intensifies toward the square’s highest levels. This is the Three Towers Square.
The park’s construction occurred in phases. The first phase concluded in 2013. It included Piazza Giulio Cesare and Largo Africa. It also included the area between the two new residential areas. By mid-2014, the southeastern part towards Viale Cassiodoro was completed. The Fountain of the Four Seasons was restored. Piazza Giulio Cesare was arranged.
The landscape project features lawn areas and wooded areas. Plantings with silver and white foliage frame Largo Africa. The land rises slightly towards the residences. One of the most densely wooded areas is here. This area houses a mixed beech forest. The composition responds to the park’s microclimatic conditions. Different tree sizes evoke a natural-looking forest. Narrow bark paths cross the woods. Bulbs and ferns illuminate the slopes. Evergreens cover the forest’s lowest layer. A low hedge of native shrubs adds to it. In other areas, a flowering prairie adds color. The planting mix tolerates different sun and shade conditions.
At the intersection of the pedestrian axis and the wooded area stands the Gerla Fountain. Forest trees thin out here. They reveal the Fountain. It evokes Lombardy’s low plain landscapes. Main tree species include maple and sycamore. You’ll also find hornbeam and flowering cherry here. Beech and ash trees thrive here. Flowering pear and plane trees also grow. The area with tall trees covers 50,000 square meters. The lawn and shrub area spans 45,000 square meters. The paved area occupies 72,000 square meters. The Fountain of the Four Seasons is valuable.
CityLife Park offers various activities. You can relax or run here. There is a fitness area. You can ride a bicycle. A cycle and pedestrian path connects to other parks. Free Wi-Fi is available. A video surveillance system ensures safety. The park reflects a city embracing the Lombardy landscape. It recreates Milan’s territory with diverse environments. The park integrates with the residential, office, and cultural functions.
Today, Parco di CityLife stands as a testament to Milan’s regeneration. It is a place where nature and modernity meet. Take a moment to appreciate this green oasis. It is a park between the mountains and the plain.