With the 2026 Winter Olympics approaching, Milan is transforming its cityscape—new venues, eco-friendly housing, refurbished historic sites—so the event’s legacy benefits locals as well as visitors.
Sustainable Olympic Village & Post-Games Legacy
The Olympic Village in Milan is being built as part of a wider redevelopment of the Porta Romana railway yard. Several new residential buildings plus restored historic structures will house athletes during the Games, then be converted into affordable housing and student accommodation afterward. The plaza around it will become a public space with cafes, retail, markets and green terraces. The buildings aim for “Nearly Zero Energy Building” standards, with solar panels, rooftop gardens, stormwater reuse, and at least 30 % of energy generated on-site.
New Venues & Urban Spaces
Milan is adding or upgrading several venues:
- An arena in Santa Giulia that holds about 16,000 spectators, intended for sports and cultural events, complete with a large public square.
- Redevelopment of former industrial and exhibition sites (e.g. Fiera Milano Rho) to host ice-sports like hockey and speed skating, then revert to previous or mixed uses after the Games.
- Projects reusing office towers and old industrial sites, adding public amenities, commercial spaces, green infrastructure, and spaces for community gathering.
Focus on Design, Environment & Energy
The designs embrace Milan’s architectural heritage while pushing sustainability: vertical greenery, urban farming, low-carbon facades, use of mass timber in construction. The goal is to reduce environmental impact, raise standards for energy efficiency, and leave lasting benefits beyond the Olympics.
Challenges & Forward Timeline
With the Games scheduled for February 6-22, 2026, construction and renovations are being pushed at pace. Some key venues are temporary or multipurpose, to avoid creating unused infrastructures afterward. There’s also an emphasis on restoring and reusing existing buildings to manage costs and environmental footprint.
