Milan Navigli
Canal Challenge

Competition introduction

Competition organisers

In Partnership With

Milan has a long history of navigable canals that formed a fundamental part of the city’s economy and the growth of the whole region, providing a direct connection between the northern lakes down to the sea.

Within Milan, the Navigli canal transported both people and goods throughout the city, but at the start of the 20^th century the city’s inner canals were covered to add to the city’s road system. The Navigli canals now run underneath the streets but have the potential to be rediscovered and bring back Milan’s “water city charm”.

[left] The Navigli system starts from the lakes located north of Lombardy and Switzerland, and leads to the longest river in Italy: the Po. [right] Open Navigli and Navigli to be re-opened.

Within Milan, the Navigli canal transported both people and goods throughout the city, but at the start of the 20th century the city’s inner canals were covered to add to the city’s road system.

For the Milan Navigli Canal Challenge, participants are tasked with conceptualising the Milan of the future and envisioning a symbiotic relationship between the city and the Navigli canal. Projects should focus on ​​environmentally - friendly design, mobility, and the relationships between water and urban spaces.

Cassina de Pomm is the area located at the start of the Navigli. It is the final point where the Naviglio Martesana runs above ground before submerging under what is now the Via Melchiorre Gioia – one of the main roads in Milan.

The Milan Navigli Canal Challenge is being run in collaboration with Riaprire i Navigli Association – "Reopen the Navigli Association'' – and Primitivo studio Milan, who are proposing a complete renovation of the existing canal. Their goal is to create a new way for the city to operate, with competition entries to play a big part in swaying public opinion on the subject.

Download full competition brief for more information!

Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English