Recuperare San Siro: tra modernità e sostenibilità. Strategie per un recupero consapevole dei quartieri di edilizia residenziale pubblica / Recovering San Siro: Modernity and Sustainability. Strategies for the Informed Regeneration of Public Housing Estates

Abstract

In the debate on modern heritage, the San Siro public housing neighbourhood in Milan is an emblematic case where urban issues, environmental challenges, social dynamics, and cultural values intersect. Built from the 1930s, San Siro reflects the work of architects who introduced rationalist principles. Like other parts of the 20th-century ‘public city’, it retains a strong identity, carrying a legacy of forms, spaces, and societal ideals. Over time, this heritage has declined both physically and symbolically. Today, San Siro is seen as an “inner periphery,” marked by poor maintenance and social fragilities. Regeneration plans have often had little success, sparking debate over demolition. Among these, the plan Rigenerare la città (Progetto CMR – Verga) advocates demolition and reconstruction, raising concerns about erasing its historical and cultural identity. This paper critically examines such approaches and explores strategies for recovery and reuse, positioning San Siro as a laboratory for inclusive, ecological, non-destructive regeneration.