Filling the Void: Urban Regeneration and Contested Space in Milan’s Loreto Square

Since 2015, Milan has experienced significant growth, driven by mega-events and large urban regeneration projects. This development has not eliminated certain contradictions however, with social polarization in Milan increasing even after the pandemic. This article analyzes the redevelopment of a key Milan landmark, Loreto Square, from an anthropological perspective. While the project rhetoric emphasizes creating a new green and sustainable area, it also reveals opposing urban strategies based on the privatization of public space and land rent. The article concludes by highlighting the central role of spaces characterized by institutions as ‘urban voids’ in shaping the identity of contemporary cities.