Green Infrastructure 2014 Working Group F - The Darsena

Implementing Green Infrastructure in the Darsena Area in Milan

The Darsena was once the port of Milan; the main hub of a large canal system built in the 16th century. The canals were called “Navigli” and linked the city to the sub-urban towns and agricultural landscapes all the way to the lakes Como and Maggiore. Since the closing of the urban part of the Navigli in the 1930’s, all that remains are the two canals Naviglio Pavese and Naviglio Grande. These two remaining canals unite at the Darsena in a part of Milan called Ticinese. Ticinese with its navigli is one of the city’s most popular areas. People come here both day -and night time, for shopping, to visit restaurants and bars, or just to strive along the canals. Unfortunately, the Darsena has been unheeded for a long period of time. Despite years and years of discussions about the future of this piece of land, nothing has yet been turned into reality. Meanwhile, time has taken its toll on the Darsena and this urban void has not only turned into a hostile place, but has also had a negative impact on its surroundings. The word darsena means dock of a seaport in english. After having been the port of milan for hundreds of years, the darsena was abandoned.