Sustainable Green Space and Urban Planning at Parco di Cascina Merlata in Municipio 8, Milan

A Modern Urban Park at the Edge of a Growing Neighborhood

Parco di Cascina Merlata is a contemporary green space located in the northwestern part of Milan, within the Cascina Merlata neighborhood of Municipio 8. Positioned near the boundaries of the Expo 2015 site and the MIND (Milan Innovation District) development, the park is a central feature of a rapidly evolving residential and institutional landscape. It spans approximately 300,000 square meters and serves as the largest newly built public park in the city in recent decades, designed as an integral part of the broader urban renewal strategy surrounding Cascina Merlata and its adjoining districts.

The park was developed in phases alongside the construction of the surrounding housing complexes, including social housing and energy-efficient residential buildings. This simultaneous growth ensured that green space was not an afterthought but a foundational aspect of the neighborhood's layout. Its creation aligns with Milan's environmental planning goals and contributes to the city's ongoing efforts to increase the amount of accessible green space per capita, particularly in newer and less centrally located areas of the metropolis.

Strategically bordered by Via Daimler and Via Pier Paolo Pasolini, the park offers both visual and physical connectivity between residential blocks, commercial zones, and institutional structures like schools and municipal services. Its elongated layout accommodates a range of recreational, social, and ecological functions. For residents of Cascina Merlata and adjacent areas such as Gallaratese and QT8, the park is a daily-use space supporting walking, cycling, social gathering, and informal play.

Design Approach and Environmental Integration

The design of Parco di Cascina Merlata was heavily influenced by sustainability and ecological continuity. It incorporates native and drought-resistant plant species that minimize the need for irrigation, and many areas are maintained with naturalistic landscaping techniques that allow biodiversity to flourish. Trees have been planted to form shaded corridors along primary paths, and grassy meadows have been left open to support pollinators and urban wildlife. Water management is facilitated through permeable surfaces and bioswales that help capture and filter stormwater runoff before it enters the city's drainage system.

The park is organized into thematic areas that respond to different user needs. There are zones dedicated to sports and fitness, including a running track, outdoor gym equipment, and basketball courts. Separate playgrounds accommodate different age groups, ensuring both safety and engagement. Community gardens are located at the park's southern edge, inviting residents to grow vegetables and herbs in shared plots that also foster a sense of community responsibility. Picnic zones and rest areas with wooden tables and benches are placed under tree canopies to offer a comfortable space for families and gatherings.

Art and design have also been incorporated into the park's infrastructure. Custom-designed benches and sculptural elements provide visual appeal while supporting relaxation and contemplation. The park's lighting system is energy-efficient and calibrated to reduce light pollution, protecting nocturnal species and preserving nighttime ambiance. Accessibility has been built into the layout, with wide paved paths that accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, and bicycles. Subtle topographical shifts help define different spaces without the need for hard barriers or fences, maintaining an open and inclusive atmosphere.

Social Value and Community Impact

Parco di Cascina Merlata plays a vital social role in a neighborhood that combines affordable housing with middle-income and senior residential complexes. The park offers an essential amenity for populations that may have limited access to private green areas, enhancing their quality of life. Elderly residents, for example, benefit from shaded walking paths and resting areas, while families with children enjoy the playgrounds and open lawns. Teenagers and young adults have their own dedicated spaces, such as basketball courts and skate-friendly zones, allowing for diverse age groups to coexist peacefully within the same public realm.

The park also strengthens neighborhood identity. Seasonal festivals, local markets, and neighborhood meetings are often hosted in its central areas, supported by the modular infrastructure that allows temporary stages, tents, or pop-up activities. Local schools and educational centers use the park as an outdoor classroom, conducting biology walks, environmental workshops, and exercise sessions throughout the year. These programs not only activate the space but build a generational connection to sustainability and civic participation among youth.

Importantly, Parco di Cascina Merlata acts as a buffer between busy thoroughfares and residential streets, improving air quality and reducing ambient noise in the surrounding blocks. Its strategic location near bus lines and proximity to the Molino Dorino and San Leonardo metro stations encourages transit-accessible recreation. For those living or working in the growing MIND district nearby, the park serves as a green escape within walking distance, blending daily utility with relaxation opportunities. Its success as a multifunctional space illustrates how thoughtful design can foster inclusivity, resilience, and long-term community cohesion.

Long-Term Planning and Environmental Goals

Parco di Cascina Merlata is not an isolated initiative but part of a long-term green corridor strategy that aims to connect northern Milan's green spaces with regional ecological networks. Future plans include potential linkages to Parco delle Cave and Boscoincittà via pedestrian and cycling routes, creating an extended ecological spine through the western part of the city. These links will support species migration and reduce fragmentation of habitat zones, contributing to Milan's broader biodiversity objectives. The integration of Parco di Cascina Merlata into this system ensures it will play a pivotal role in shaping the city's environmental resilience.

Maintenance of the park is coordinated through a partnership between the municipality and private operators tied to the real estate development. This ensures regular upkeep, garbage collection, and safety monitoring. Seasonal planting, tree inspections, and path cleaning are scheduled throughout the year. As residential density increases in the area, park usage will also rise, placing new demands on infrastructure. Adaptive management practices are in place to expand facilities and redesign elements as needed, ensuring that the park continues to meet evolving user needs.

As Milan continues to face challenges related to heat islands, air pollution, and climate change, Parco di Cascina Merlata provides a valuable model for future developments. Its success lies in how it integrates green space into housing, transportation, and community life without treating nature as secondary to infrastructure. In doing so, the park reinforces the idea that sustainability in urban environments must begin with public access to clean, safe, and functional outdoor spaces.