Transforming an industrial area into an accessible and attractive district in Milan using traffic simulations and mobility data

The Santa Giulia district in Milan, formerly known as PII Montecity Rogoredo, is one of the city’s largest urban regeneration projects, transforming a former industrial area into a new sustainable and mixed-use urban neighborhood. 

Located in the eastern part of Milan, close to Linate Airport and Rogoredo railway station, the development includes more than 400,000 sqm of mixed-use functions, comprising residential areas, offices, retail, cultural facilities, and over 330,000 sqm of public green spaces. 

The project also includes the new Santa Giulia Arena, a 16,000-seat multifunctional venue selected to host ice hockey events during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. 

The scale of the development generated complex mobility challenges, requiring a highly integrated transport strategy capable of managing daily commuter flows alongside large event-related demand. 

Systematica was appointed to develop the integrated mobility master plan for the district, defining a comprehensive framework for vehicular circulation, public transport integration, parking systems, and active mobility infrastructure. 

The mobility strategy was designed to support both the long-term evolution of the neighborhood and the operational requirements associated with major event venues and high-density mixed-use development.  

Systematica developed a multi-scale analytical framework combining static and dynamic traffic simulations to evaluate the impact of various mobility scenarios across the district and surrounding road network. 

The study was supported by an extensive traffic survey campaign, integrated with mobility data provided by the Municipality of Milan. 

Traffic modelling activities focused on assessing network performance during rush hour, validating infrastructure capacity, and identifying strategies to optimize circulation and optimize multimodal accessibility.

The plan included key proposals such as: 

• A new tram line connecting the Milan Metro Line 3 Rogoredo Station to the Metro Line 4 Forlanini Station
• Upgrades to the existing Mecenate interchange
• New infrastructures for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, connecting the future neighborhood with the existing one
• An integrated, efficient parking system