Project: Napoli Porta Est Masterplan
Architecture: Zaha Hadid Architects
Team: Michele Pasca di Magliano, Filippo Innocenti, Maria Tsironi
Project Associates: Andrea Balducci Caste, Cristina Barrios Cabrera, Domenico Di Francesco, Torsten Broeder, Vincenzo Barilari
Design Team: Bechara Malkoun, Cemre Demirci, Cherry Lee, Ghanem Younes, Hanadi Izzuddin, Haoyue Zhang, HyunJin Kim, Irfan Bhakrani, Martina Rosati, Olivia Dolan, Sera Su Abac, Yaseen Bhatti, Jing Xu
Local Architect: Barracco Smith
Structural and Civil Engineering: Interpogetti SRL
Landscape Design: Martha Schwartz Partners
Location: Naples, Italy
Year: 2025
Photo Credits: Zaha Hadid Architects
Reconnecting the city’s fragmented urban fabric is at the heart of Zaha Hadid Architects’ Napoli Porta Est masterplan, the winning proposal of an international design competition. This masterplan addresses a long-standing challenge in eastern Naples, an area marked by disconnection, isolation, and unsafe public spaces. The district’s past heavy industries have left behind derelict buildings and disused railway yards that now act as physical and psychological barriers, hindering mobility and social interaction.
Sustainable Urban Transformation
ZHA’s masterplan aims to transform this neglected industrial zone into a sustainable and resilient urban district. The design proposes new infrastructure that can adapt to future needs, including the creation of a large urban park and the reclamation of disused railway yards for public use. By removing the barriers created by redundant railyards, the plan unlocks over 30 hectares of abandoned industrial sites—such as the former Manifattura Tabacchi factory—for redevelopment by the city’s residents.
Improving Connectivity and Public Space
A key goal of the project is to resolve severe traffic congestion at one of Naples’ primary interchanges, a gateway to the Italian national transport network. By reconnecting eastern Naples with the historic centre, the masterplan promises improved mobility and more vibrant social interaction. Additionally, the proposal opens the door for the future conversion of a further 100+ hectares of the district’s obsolete Q8 oil depot into a new city quarter, complete with civic spaces and amenities tailored to the local community.
A Vision for the Future
Organized by the Campania Region, Naples City Council, FS Sistemi Urbani, and train operator EAV, the Napoli Porta Est masterplan is a bold step toward urban regeneration. It not only aims to revitalize a forgotten part of the city but also sets a new standard for public space design and sustainable redevelopment. By turning abandoned industrial areas into dynamic, connected neighborhoods, this proposal reimagines the potential of Naples for generations to come.
