Case Study
Footbridge connecting two parts of Parco Nord Milano
Contact name
Arch. Paolo Caporale
Institution name
Parco Nord Milano Administration
Region & country
Lombardia - Italy
Summary
The Via Ornato Passerella is the result of a collaboration between public and private, with the aim of allowing crossing the streets through the Park. This is an example of public-private cooperation. This walkway, connecting two parts of the Park in a critical area, is the result of a WIN-WIN operation conducted between the Park and a supermarket chain called “il Gigante”. The need to open a store near the Park and to let the customers pass over an area of Natural Park have found its result in this important work, designed by the Park and totally founded by the private.
The walkway and the wearers
Photo by: Archivio Parco Nord
The inside of the walkway
Photo by: Archivio Parco Nord
The view from the street
Photo by: Archivio Parco Nord
Background of the project
Before the build the Passerella, the Park was divided into two separated parts, not directly connected to each other, so that people were forced to get out and go backcrossing the park’s borders to move. An intersection of two main roads, with very high level of traffic every day, inhibit people to move from side to side in complete safety.
An air connection between the two areas of the Park was, therefore, the primary requirement to meet the need for a totally safe network of cycling and pedestrian lanes.
Solution and actions taken
The solution was to support the transit to the store in the Natural Park, by building a bridge respecting the landscape quality and demanding the creation, private care and expense, of a walkway (180 m long) that unites the Park in a unicum territorial.
The actions taken were: – agreement with the private defining the mutual commitments. – appointment of a project referent. – appointment of a working tester.
Other institutions or parties involved
The external partner was the Municipality of Milan, the company in charge of the works Giovanni Villa.
Results
After laying the bridge the Park has completed the internal transit network and the capillary connection of pedestrian and cycle lanes has been developed. Users no longer have to cross the intersection between the two main roads and can move comfortably from one side to the other. The lake, built at the same time to use land lots as walkway shoulders, has been completed. From the construction of the Passerella, both biodiversity and enjoyment were beneficial.
Challenges
The real difficulty was to find a balance between the private interests and those of the Park. During the work there was no difficulty, all the critical issues were faced during the planning of the work and the drafting of the agreement.
Lessons learned
The dialogue. Don’t give up your goals but also be able to match them with others. Diplomacy in interaction with external partners and adaptation skill are the main lessons we can have from this project.
Contact name
Arch. Paolo Caporale
Institution name
Parco Nord Milano Administration
Website(s)
