Creative production and urban regeneration in Milan

Creative production has become a significant driver in many urban economies. Moreover, it has a role in changing the reputation of the neighbourhoods where it is located as well as the “attractiveness” of these areas. In Milan, the relationship between creative production and urban regeneration has evolved in recent years, especially in areas with significant concentrations of such production where particular recurrent features can be found in the spatial conditions, development processes and also in the peculiar synergies of temporary events. The Porta Genova-Tortona area, Ventura-Lambrate, Bovisa, Porta Romana district and Isola are relevant examples of such concentrations and provide empirical evidence of the nexus between creative production and urban regeneration through varying levels of success. They also show that while creative production (here, mainly private-driven) can be the leverage for urban regeneration processes, without a synergy with public intervention, the processes often result unfinished or create imbalances that must be confronted.