Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has won the design competition for the Napoli Porta Est masterplan, a project that aims to reshape the neglected eastern district of Naples. The area has long suffered from disconnection, leaving it isolated from the rest of the city. A lack of functional public spaces and physical barriers has created an environment that discourages movement and social interaction. ZHA’s plan addresses these challenges by reintroducing accessibility, sustainability, and green spaces, transforming a once-abandoned industrial site into a thriving extension of the city.
This initiative focuses on revitalizing the eastern part of Naples, which has been in decline due to the decommissioning of heavy industries over the past decades. The plan introduces new infrastructure, a major urban park, and repurposed railway yards to create a space that encourages connectivity. Traffic congestion at a key interchange will also be alleviated, unlocking the area’s potential and linking it more effectively to the historic city center. The transformation will allow over 30 hectares of underutilized industrial land, including the former Manifattura Tabacchi factory and parts of the Feltrinelli industrial zone, to be repurposed for public use, while an additional 100 hectares of outdated infrastructure, such as the Q8 oil depot, will be redeveloped into a new city quarter.
Reconnecting Naples Through Urban Regeneration
The site, located on the eastern edge of Naples, was previously a maintenance railyard that had remained derelict for decades. Now one of Europe’s most ambitious urban regeneration projects, the development will return approximately 15 hectares to the city, comparable in scale to London’s King’s Cross redevelopment. A significant portion of the land will be dedicated to green spaces, including an expansive park designed in collaboration with landscape architect Martha Schwartz. Native trees and plant life will contribute to a sustainable environment, improving air quality and creating inviting public spaces.
ZHA’s masterplan prioritizes pedestrian accessibility, linking fragmented areas such as the Centro Direzionale, Mercato, and Oriental Zone. The design integrates an underground multi-modal transport hub, easing mobility throughout the district. Following Naples’ urban development framework, the project will accommodate new structures within existing height regulations while promoting a future-proof civic, cultural, and economic hub for southern Italy.
A key component of the project is the new regional headquarters, designed to serve as a functional civic center. The lower levels will house public amenities, including a conference center, a cinema, and retail spaces, while the towers will accommodate government offices, offering modern facilities for employees and visitors. The site also includes a regional railway station, residential developments, and a pedestrian bridge linking the Centro Direzionale with the new Metro station, reinforcing the commitment to walkability and public transit.
Architectural Vision and Sustainability
The masterplan introduces new public gardens and parks, ensuring that greenery becomes a defining element of the redevelopment. Walkways will guide pedestrian traffic from Porta Nolana to the Central Station and the new park, further reinforcing the area’s accessibility. A key highlight is a proposed pedestrian link to the Centro Direzionale, integrating the new developments with existing infrastructure.
The regional headquarters have been designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind. The compact tower structures maximize energy performance, reducing the site’s overall footprint and creating additional green spaces. The building envelope optimizes natural elements, leveraging light and wind to enhance insulation while minimizing solar load and glare. The design ensures that interior spaces receive optimal natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting. The use of spectrally selective glazing helps regulate heat gain, contributing to energy conservation.
Bioclimatic features such as natural ventilation, green roofs, and passive cooling systems increase the project’s sustainability. The buildings will adhere to strict seismic safety regulations while employing resource-efficient construction methods. A hybrid concrete and steel system, sourced from local suppliers, will allow for cost control and flexibility in construction. The phased approach to development ensures that completed sections can be utilized immediately, streamlining the entire process.
A Sustainable Future for Naples
Sustainability plays a central role in the Napoli Porta Est masterplan. The pedestrianized layout will reconnect neighborhoods and businesses that have long been separated from the city center. A diverse selection of vegetation will contribute to a more comfortable microclimate, encouraging walkability while reducing flood risks. The project also includes a 7,000 square meter photovoltaic system on rooftops and canopies, ensuring renewable energy integration.
The masterplan’s climate-responsive design incorporates water recycling systems, reducing potable water consumption by 60%. The development will utilize geothermal energy and create sponge city features, which absorb excess rainwater to prevent flooding. Passive cooling techniques will mitigate the urban heat island effect, making the area more resilient to temperature fluctuations.
The architectural strategy aligns with sustainability certifications, targeting a LEED Platinum rating for the towers. The bioclimatic facade design will limit excessive glass exposure, improving insulation while maintaining ventilation. A lightweight structural approach will also help reduce the embodied carbon footprint of the development.
Redefining Naples’ Urban Identity
The Napoli Porta Est masterplan presents a vision for a more connected and sustainable city. By addressing longstanding issues of urban fragmentation and underutilized spaces, the redevelopment introduces a forward-thinking approach that embraces modern infrastructure, green spaces, and energy-efficient architecture.
Project credits: Zaha Hadid Architects (Architecture and Masterplanning)
Responsible Director: Michele Pasca di Magliano
Director (rail & TOD): Filippo Innocenti
Design Director: 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
Workplace Analitics: Uli Blum, Lorena Espaillat Bencosme, Danial Haziq Hamdan, Christoph Geiger
Sustainability: Abhilash Menon, Aditya Ambare, Bahaa Alnassrallah, Disha Shetty
Acquisitions: Marcella Fedele
Consultants
Local Architect: Barracco Smith
Structural and Civil Engineering: Interpogetti SRL
M&E Engineering: Macchiaroli & Partners
Sustainability: AtelierTen
Landscape Design: Martha Schwartz Partners
Artist and Lighting Design: Jason Bruges Studio
Cost Consultant: BC Consulting
Traffic and Urban Mobility: MiC-HUB
Safety in construction: Gianni Artuso
Archeologo: Viviana Mancusi
Economista: Prof. Massimo Marrelli
