Mining an Urban Scrapyard: The Porto di Mare Case in Milan

In the southern outskirts of Milan, a manufacturing area that has undergone multiple cycles of exploitation is now faced with a radical transformation perspective: from small and medium-sized manufacturing partially dedicated to recycling to new land uses and residential functions. Here, the coexistence of structures slated for demolition alongside a construction and demolition (C&D) waste recycling plant makes it an ideal case for investigating the alignment (or lack thereof) between urban circularity policies and urban planning. The paper employs urban mining and material flow analysis adapted to the scale of the urban project. Firstly, it reviews policy programs and plans related to two key aspects: the implementation of the circular economy in the construction sector in Milan, and the regeneration of this particular urban manufacturing area. Secondly, it presents an original estimate of the potential material flow generated within the case study. It then outlines two different transport scenarios for their recycling and assesses their impact in terms of carbon emissions and energy consumption. The analysis aims to address the gap in the discussion surrounding the future of Milan’s urban waste recycling infrastructure and the implications of urban regeneration in terms of C&D waste arising.