The cities of the future are being built today through sustainable projects that combine innovation, architecture, and environmental awareness.
From metro systems that shape sustainable mobility to neighborhoods designed to reduce ecological impact, and even iconic buildings that become symbols of cultural revival and sustainable construction, these initiatives are transforming the face of cities in Italy, across Europe, and around the world.
1. New Eni Headquarters in Milan
The New Eni Headquarters in San Donato Milanese is a state-of-the-art complex built by Webuild. This project features three glass-and-steel towers connected by suspended walkways and set within a 65,000-square-meter urban park.
Sustainability was a key focus: the use of low-impact materials, natural ventilation systems, and extensive renewable energy sources has drastically reduced energy consumption.
The new Eni headquarters represents a model of urban regeneration that combines innovation, efficiency, and quality of life.
2. Milan Metro Line M4
Built by Webuild, Metro Line M4 connects Milan Linate Airport with the San Cristoforo district, crossing the heart of the city with 21 stations and 15 kilometers of underground track.
The fully automated line drastically reduces travel times and eliminates over 180,000 car trips every day, cutting an estimated 75,000 tons of CO₂ per year.
This environmental sustainable project has also transformed large urban areas along the route, adding 66,000 square meters of green spaces and nearly 2,000 new trees, establishing itself as one of the most significant sustainable transportation initiatives in Italy.
3. Stavros Cultural Center in Athens
Completed in 2016, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Kallithea, Athens, is a project by Renzo Piano and built by Webuild that combines culture, landscape, and sustainability.
Spanning over 200,000 m², it houses the Greek National Opera, the National Library, and an extensive urban park.
The centerpiece of the project is the Energy Canopy: a 10,000 m² ferrocement roof supported by 30 slender columns and equipped with a sophisticated damping system to withstand wind, heat, and earthquakes. The canopy is entirely covered with more than 5,500 photovoltaic panels, providing the buildings with near-complete energy self-sufficiency.
4. Polar Bear House (Stuttgart)
Completed in 2008 and expanded in 2020 in Kirchheim unter Teck, near Stuttgart, the Polar Bear House is considered the most sustainable building in the world, certified DGNB Platinum with the highest score ever recorded.
Designed as a passive house, it requires no independent heating system, relying instead on energy recovery, geothermal power, and photovoltaic panels. The structure, a hybrid of reinforced concrete and wood, uses recycled materials and easily dismountable components.
An intelligent system manages climate, energy consumption, and rainwater reuse, making this building an international model of sustainable architecture.
5. Shanghai Tower
Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China and the third tallest in the world, standing at 632 meters with 128 floors. It is a symbol of sustainable architecture thanks to its double façade, which enhances energy efficiency and reduces wind impact.
This Chinese tower utilizes renewable energy sources such as geothermal systems, solar panels, and rainwater collection, significantly cutting energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.
With over 500,000 m² of space for offices, hotels, shops, and rooftop gardens, the Shanghai Tower serves as a model of a vertical city designed for sustainability.
6. La Balena Nursery, Guastalla (Reggio Emilia)
Inaugurated in 2015 in Guastalla (RE), La Balena Nursery is a wooden and glass building designed by Mario Cucinella Architects to replace two schools damaged by the 2012 earthquake.
Conceived as a welcoming ‘nest,’ the building features flowing forms and bright spaces that encourage children’s sensory exploration.
Constructed with natural and recycled materials, it is equipped with photovoltaic systems and rainwater recovery, minimizing environmental impact and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.
7. Ecoquartier Ginko, Bordeaux
The Ginko Eco-district spans 32 hectares north of Bordeaux, along the shores of the lake, and is the first neighborhood in France heated 80% by local and renewable energy.
The residences, designed by more than twenty architectural firms, are integrated into a landscape featuring canals, parks, and rooftop gardens. The district promotes sustainable transport with pedestrian and cycling paths and is home to over 2,500 residents, with a social mix that includes social, mid-range, and market-rate housing.
