THE IMPACT OF GENTRIFICATION ON URBAN REGENERATION NEIGHBORHOOD - An approach to foresee the possibility to improve deprived areas of the new urban regeneration project

THE IMPACT OF GENTRIFICATION ON URBAN REGENERATION NEIGHBORHOOD - An approach to foresee the possibility to improve deprived areas of the new urban regeneration project Milan, a city known for its constant development, has been experiencing a demographic shift towards becoming a metropolis focused on upper socioeconomic groups. This transition is fueled by the redevelopment of vacant areas, which often leads to the creation of affluent regions, attracting wealthier residents. Unfortunately, this process has resulted in the displacement of the majority of the original population, as property values skyrocket in these revitalized areas. As a result, housing and amenity values in nearby poor areas increase, leading to the displacement of the original people. To prevent Milan from becoming a city exclusively for the wealthy, this thesis investigates how deprived areas can benefit from new built regeneration projects, ultimately limiting displacement. The main research question guiding this study is: "How can interventions in public space contribute to minimizing displacement caused by new built regeneration projects?" The Scalo Porta Romana developments are used as a test case to find an answer to this research question. To address the main question, five sub-research questions are formulated, each employing a different goal and methodology.The first sub-question explores ways to regenerate areas without displacing the original residents, emphasizing population empowerment in education, employment, and health to address the underlying causes of deprivation. The importance of green spaces and their positive impact on health is highlighted, along with the need to improve accessibility and quality to encourage their use. Additionally, empowering the local population in terms of employment by creating job opportunities that match their skills is emphasized. The second research question examines the strengths and weaknesses of the new built regeneration proposals for Scalo Porta Romana. It is noted that such projects tend to attract higher socioeconomic groups, resulting in the displacement of lower socioeconomic groups to less expensive areas. The third research question focuses on the physical and socioeconomic characteristics of the Scalo Porta Romana - Corvetto area, revealing the lack of direct connection between the two centers and the primarily residential nature of the area. The fourth question investigates how physical interventions within the existing urban fabric can improve the outcomes for inhabitants of Corvetto and its surrounding deprived areas, suggesting the creation of direct routes, improvements to public spaces, and the stimulation of small businesses to boost the local economy. Finally, the fifth question explores which elements of the intervention for the Scalo Porta Romana - Corvetto area can be applied to future projects in similar situations. Overall, the thesis proposes interventions and conclusions that aim to minimize displacement caused by new built regeneration projects in Milan. The focus is on improving individual outcomes through population empowerment in terms of education, employment, and health. By addressing the underlying causes of deprivation, enhancing accessibility to green spaces, and creating suitable job opportunities, it is hoped that deprived areas can benefit from regeneration while retaining their original population and preventing socio-economic disparities. The findings of the thesis can be utilized in future projects with similar objectives.