Urban recycling: transforming brownfield sites into sustainable neighbourhoods

Covivio is part of this dynamic, rehabilitating forgotten areas to turn them into mixed-use, attractive neighbourhoods. In Milan, the redevelopment of Scalo di Porta Romana illustrates this vision: a large-scale project that will host the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Village and reconnect two historically separate neighbourhoods, while integrating housing, offices, shops, green spaces and modern infrastructure.

But beyond rehabilitation, how can urban regeneration be achieved in an intelligent and sustainable way? Let’s take a closer look.

What is urban recycling?

Urban recycling, also known as urban renewal or urban redevelopment, involves transforming already artificial spaces – industrial wastelands, former logistics areas, vacant lots – to give them a new lease of life.

It is not just about urban renovation: urban recycling aims to create dynamic, attractive and sustainable neighbourhoods, taking into account the social, environmental and economic needs of cities.

Why is urban recycling essential?

A response to environmental challenges and the Climate and Resilience Law

Urban recycling is part of the Net Zero Land Take objective set by the Climate and Resilience Law. It helps to limit land consumption, preserve natural resources and reintroduce biodiversity into urban areas.

A lever for urban renewal and social diversity

Beyond the ecological aspect, it is a tool for urban policy: it revitalises priority neighbourhoods, promotes social and intergenerational diversity and improves quality of life through new public spaces.

The benefits of urban recycling

By reinvesting in already built-up land, urban recycling makes it possible to:

• Limit land artificialisation
• Strengthen urban biodiversity by reintroducing green spaces and vegetation networks
• Optimise the energy performance of refurbished buildings by incorporating solutions to reduce consumption and low-carbon materials into the design stage
• Optimise the use of existing land
• Create projects that respect the principle of sobriety

Economic benefits and regional attractiveness

Urban regeneration stimulates the real estate market, attracts businesses and shops, and restores value to neglected areas.

Social cohesion and quality of life in urban areas

By integrating housing, offices and services within the same neighbourhood, these projects promote inclusion, proximity and a better quality of life for residents.

Covivio’s approach to urban renewal

Scalo di Porta Romana: an iconic model

A former 190,000 m² railway yard, Scalo di Porta Romana is the subject of a major urban regeneration project led by Covivio, Coima and Prada. The aim is to reconnect the southern part of Milan with the city centre by creating a mixed-use, sustainable and open neighbourhood.

• Creation of a large public park and green spaces
• Development of housing, offices, student residences and services
• Host venue for the 2026 Olympic Village, subsequently converted into a 1,700-bed student residence

Also in Milan, Symbiosis and The Sign are two completed urban regeneration projects that combine energy efficiency and architectural innovation, breathing new life into vibrant and attractive neighbourhoods.

Innovation, sustainability and adaptation of public spaces

Covivio’s projects incorporate:

• Soft mobility and low-carbon solutions
• Flexible architecture, designed to evolve with usage
• Smart rainwater and energy management systems

Redeveloped neighbourhoods for the city of tomorrow

Functional and intergenerational diversity

By combining housing, offices and shops, Covivio designs neighbourhoods that are constantly alive, reducing travel and boosting local activity.

Spaces designed for residents and users

Each project puts people at the centre, with:

• Flexible spaces adapted to new lifestyles and ways of working
• A variety of services: sports facilities, social spaces, shared mobility
• Solutions to naturally cool neighbourhoods in summer.

The example of Noème in Bordeaux

On the former IBM site, Covivio is developing Noème, a sustainable urban redevelopment project combining housing, services and green spaces. This project illustrates how to transform an existing site into an attractive and modern hub.

Urban recycling, a strategic lever for sustainable cities

Through iconic projects such as Scalo di Porta Romana, Symbiosis, The Sign in Milan, and Noème in Bordeaux, Covivio demonstrates that urban recycling is much more than a land constraint: it is a strategic tool for building the city of tomorrow.

By combining expertise, partnerships and environmental commitment, Covivio has established itself as a major player in urban recycling in France and Europe, contributing to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable territories.