M: Urban regeneration project of a former military park in Lentate sul Seveso

The increasing number of abandoned buildings and disused spaces in our cities represents an opportunity to counter the waste of resources. The former military park requalification project described in this chapter shows a model of sustainable urban transformation based on building recovery and community involvement. The project proposes the realisation of student residences integrated with multifunctional spaces for local communities aimed at enhancing the territory’s resources and history, as well as enabling educational and economic development. It follows the principles of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, starting with moving innovative processes out of big cities and into smaller places. The project was conceived by a team of researchers from the Design Department of Politecnico di Milano, in collaboration with the municipality of Lentate sul Seveso, owner of the properties subjected to requalification, engaging the participation of the local administration, the major stakeholder, namely Polo Formativo Legno Arredo school, and actors from the corporate sector. The partnership between Municipality and University represents a significant connection in the development of the territory. Service and Spatial Design has a key role in responding to the need to rethink public space according to new forms of social engagement and interaction.