Milan and Frankfurt: Reimagining Public Space Through Nature

How can nature help transform public spaces while preserving the identity of our cities?

This question lies at the heart of “Frankfurt Milan. The Nature of Collective Spaces in the Post-Digital Era,” an exhibition inaugurated on 13 November 2026 at Politecnico di Milano.

Bringing together the work of over 60 students from the 2025–2026 Landscape and Public Space Design course, the exhibition explores new relationships between nature, water and collective spaces in Milan and Frankfurt. Despite their different urban identities, the two sister cities share challenges ranging from climate adaptation and biodiversity to the quality of public spaces.

Two cities, a shared dialogue

Through drawings, models and design scenarios, students propose new ways of reconnecting fragmented urban landscapes and transforming streets, squares, courtyards and waterfronts into places for ecological regeneration and social interaction.

In Milan, proposals envision interconnected green spaces and rediscover the historical traces of the Navigli, exploring water as a driver of urban regeneration. In Frankfurt, more experimental visions imagine the city as an extensive urban forest, where nature becomes an integral part of everyday life and collective wellbeing.

Across both cities, the projects address challenges such as depaving, stormwater management, urban heat mitigation and biodiversity protection, highlighting the potential of even small and overlooked urban spaces.

The exhibition is curated by Andreas Kipar, LAND Co-Founder and CEO and Professor at Politecnico di Milano, Valentina Galiulo, Director LAND Italia, LAND Research Lab, and Francesca Grassi, Exhibition & Curatorial Consultant, with Stella Leung as Design Assistant.

As Andreas Kipar reflects:

“Milan and Frankfurt are two cities with distinct identities, yet they face increasingly similar urban challenges. The students’ work demonstrates the importance of continuing to explore new visions for the future of our cities, starting from nature and the memory of places. Rethinking public space also means recognising the potential of what already exists, transforming streets, squares and small urban spaces into places of encounter, wellbeing and collective life.”

Following its presentation in Milan, the exhibition will continue to Frankfurt, opening on 18 January 2027, extending the dialogue between the two cities and bringing academic research into a broader public conversation.

Visit the exhibition

Landscape and Public Space Design – Frankfurt Milan | The Nature of Collective Spaces in the Post-Digital Era

Politecnico di Milano, Spazio Tunnel, Building 11, Via Ampère 2, Milan

13–30 November 2026 | Monday–Friday, 10:00–19:00 | Free admission