Tall & Urban News

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has won the international design competition for the Napoli Porta Est masterplan, aiming to reconnect Naples’ fragmented urban fabric and revitalize its eastern districts. The masterplan addresses decades of detachment caused by decommissioned heavy industries and underused infrastructure, transforming the area into a more integrated and vibrant part of the city.

The proposal focuses on sustainable and resilient urban renewal, reclaiming over 30 hectares of derelict industrial sites, including the former Manifattura Tabacchi factory and buildings in the Feltrinelli industrial zone. It also envisions converting an additional 100 hectares of the district’s obsolete Q8 oil depot into a new city quarter, complete with civic spaces and community amenities.

One of the project’s main objectives is the removal of physical and psychological barriers created by the disused railway yards, which currently isolate the area and hinder mobility. By resolving traffic congestion at a major city interchange and introducing adaptable infrastructure, the design facilitates the reconnection of Naples’ eastern neighborhoods with the historic city center. A key component of this plan is the construction of the new Campania Region headquarters, that will serve as a central element in this revitalization effort, symbolizing the region's commitment to sustainable development and architectural innovation.​ The vertical buildings of the headquarters are framed by a new urban park, offering much-needed public spaces to promote social interaction and enhance the district’s safety.  The architecture seamlessly emerges from these green areas, progressing the transition from landscape to structure, and reconnecting the city's urbanism with nature. 

The Napoli Porta Est masterplan competition was organized by the Campania Region, Naples City Council, FS Sistemi Urbani (the regeneration group of RFI Italian national railways), and train operator EAV, reflecting a collaborative effort to transform Naples into a more cohesive and dynamic urban environment.

Learn more at Arch Daily