Cultural events and heritage policy for the Milan Expo 2015: Experimental intersection between mega-event and city

The article observes the case of the Expo 2015 by focusing on side cultural events and heritage. By critically drawing on mega-event and smaller event literature, it is argued that new experiments beyond the mega-event itself affected Milan’s transformation and repositioning. In particular, the contribution provides new evidence about the connection between the uncertain planning process for the Universal Exhibition 2015 and the enhancement of historic places in both the host city and region. Furthermore, it discusses Milan’s urban and regional development trends and agendas turning toward leisure tourism and festivalization in this period.