We are thrilled to announce that UNS’s concept proposal for a new intergenerational, health-themed urban district in Milan has been selected by Unipol for further design development. This marks an exciting step toward creating a sustainable, inclusive, and health-focused community on the northern edge of the city.

The Bruzzano Site
Located on the outskirts of Milan, Bruzzano is a district with immense potential. UNS and Unipol share a vision for the future of Milan’s periphery—one that emphasises metropolitan integration and connection to the city’s surroundings as essential steps toward a sustainable and resilient urban future.

UNS’ proposal for the Bruzzano masterplan competition sets ambitious targets for Milan, aligning with broader metropolitan and European strategies. The design prioritises carbon neutrality, biodiversity, urban climate resilience, and enhanced quality of life, forming the foundation for a forward-thinking urban development.

A Vision for a Health-Focused Community
The goal of UNS’ proposal is to transform existing conditions into opportunities, creating a neighbourhood with a strong identity and a heightened sense of safety and security. At the heart of the design is a commitment to health, nature, and people, forming a new community that redefines urban living on the city’s outskirts.

To achieve inclusivity and accessibility at the neighbourhood level, the concept envisions an ecosystem where people, nature, and technology coexist in harmony. This vision is guided by three key themes:

• Nurture-Nature: Designing a built environment that encourages healthy behavioural decisions and public spaces that foster positive emotions. Purposeful green areas connect smart green ecosystems, catering to diverse lifestyles and promoting well-being.

• Inclusive Neighbourhood: Integrating nature and human living while embracing diverse demographics and social groups. The design embeds diversity into the urban fabric, creating a network of neighbourhoods that attract a multigenerational and multicultural community.

• Care Communities: Blending healthy living, healthcare, technology, and community connections. The presence of a hospital on-site inspires the concept of a ‘Care Community,’ where health, care, and well-being are central to urban life. This approach reimagines the boundaries between traditional healthcare facilities and more comfortable, community-oriented environments.

Technology as a Catalyst for Change
In UNS’ proposal, technology is seamlessly integrated into the design, enabling the setting of short- and long-term goals, monitoring progress, and enhancing both the built and green environments. The project has the potential to serve as an innovative testing ground for healthy green technologies, with scalable solutions that can be applied across the neighbourhood, the city, and beyond.

Next Steps
Following Unipol’s enthusiastic response to UNS’ vision for the Bruzzano site, the next phase will focus on further exploring the feasibility of the concepts embedded in the masterplan. In the coming months, UNS, in collaboration with SBGA and a multidisciplinary team, will work closely with Unipol to refine and develop the masterplan.

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey to create a new standard for health-focused urban living. Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.