Modern urban planning has evolved into a powerful tool for addressing contemporary challenges while preparing cities for an uncertain future. A new collection of unbuilt architectural masterplans demonstrates how large-scale urban design can regenerate communities, adapt historic sites, and create frameworks for inclusive and resilient neighborhoods across diverse global locations.
These eight innovative projects, submitted by the ArchDaily community, span continents from Europe to the Middle East and the Americas. Each proposal reimagines urban spaces through strategies that prioritize sustainability, enhanced mobility, and strengthened collective identity. The projects share a common focus on regenerative design principles, including reopening historic waterways, creating climate-adapted public spaces, and introducing green corridors and community hubs that reconnect residents with their environments.
In China, POA Architects has unveiled their design for the "Olian Auto" Intelligent Technology Industrial Park in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. The project addresses the challenge of urban demolition and reconstruction by preserving original commercial neighborhood character through a thoughtful juxtaposition of old and new buildings. The design expands both temporal and physical dimensions while integrating smart automotive technology to revitalize decaying commercial spaces.
Bologna, Italy showcases the New Ecodistrict Bertalia-Lazzaretto, a collaborative effort by a-fact architecture factory, Weber Architects, and other partners. This transformative project converts a peripheral area into a vibrant, inclusive, and connected urban hub. The design enhances natural systems, promotes sustainable mobility, and redefines the traditional urban courtyard as a social catalyst. The project blends environmental responsibility with bioclimatic design principles, offering shared spaces, green infrastructure, and adaptable housing solutions that serve as a model for resilient community living.
In Pavia, Italy, a consortium including Artelia Italia, Vittorio Grassi Architects, Parcnouveau, FM Ingegneria, and Iconia Ingegneria won a competition launched by Agenzia del Demanio for regenerating the Ex-Arsenale area. The ambitious 140,000 square meter site will undergo transformation through a 90 million euro investment. The project combines contemporary architecture with historic preservation and innovative landscape design. A standout feature involves reopening the historic Navigliaccio canal, creating a linear park and water-focused public realm that promotes ecological balance and community engagement within the renewed urban fabric.
Bratislava, Slovakia features the Istropolis project by CITYFÖRSTER in collaboration with KCAP, local architect Pantograph, and real estate developer Immocap. This city-shaping initiative has secured valid zoning permits with construction scheduled to begin in summer 2025. Istropolis will transform Trnavské Mýto into Bratislava's Nové Mesto gateway through modern urbanism principles, introducing a dynamic new meeting place to the capital. The project centers around a multifunctional hall accommodating 3,000 people.
Turin, Italy presents the Ex-Manifattura Tabacchi redevelopment by Eutropia Architettura and Pininfarina Architecture, working alongside Weber Architects and Paisà Landscape. This winning proposal for the international competition transforms the former tobacco manufacturing complex as part of broader Regio Parco industrial district regeneration in northeastern Turin. The project introduces new civic, cultural, and educational functions, featuring an Archival and Cultural Hub with study rooms and consultation spaces. The design includes revitalization of existing industrial buildings to host a university campus complete with residences, student services, and classrooms. The architectural approach reinterprets the dialogue between Turin's historic grid pattern and the flowing curves of the Po and Dora rivers, breaking open the rigid, closed forms of the former industrial complex to invite city integration and create permeability along Via Regio Parco.
From Iran comes "Where Earth Remembered: An Axis of Heritage and Hope" by Eade Va Ejra in Kerman. Following the devastating 2003 earthquake in Bam, reconstruction efforts focused on reviving the city's urban and cultural identity, centered around the symbolic Arg-e Bam fortress. Now entering a new growth phase, the proposed cultural-touristic-commercial axis reinterprets traditional Iranian bazaar concepts, drawing inspiration from both Kerman Bazaar and Arg-e Bam. The design specifically addresses Bam's harsh climate through passive cooling systems, shaded spaces, and drought-resistant vegetation, aiming to restore civic life through a resilient, heritage-driven urban spine.
Mexico contributes ARAVENTO, a sustainable urban planning project by JOÃO TELES atelier and Bernardo Alvarado in Jalisco. Based in Tepatitlán de Morelos, this innovative design rethinks urban living, mobility, and city connectivity. Built on the "15-minute city" concept, ARAVENTO promotes functional proximity, local identity, and social inclusion. The project features green corridors with native vegetation connecting microparks and a large urban park throughout the city, ensuring 2.5 trees for every three inhabitants. Through mixed-use development, multifunctional public spaces, and active mobility infrastructure, the design counters urban segregation while building a resilient, environmentally conscious, and deeply human urban environment.
Rome, Italy rounds out the collection with "La Città della Gioia" (The City of Joy) by ACPV Architects, developed in partnership with Parcnouveau, ARUP, and Asset. This masterplan reimagines Rome's former Ex Fiera site as an inclusive, sustainable urban district. The comprehensive design prioritizes green space, social connection, and intergenerational well-being, dedicating half the entire site to public use. By blending natural elements with housing and community spaces, the design creates a vibrant, child-friendly environment that fosters care, interaction, and community resilience. The result is a new urban ecosystem that remains open, accessible, and designed to evolve with its inhabitants over time.
These masterplanning projects collectively demonstrate how contemporary urban design can serve as a critical tool for rethinking city growth, adaptation, and civic life sustainability. Each proposal responds to specific local challenges while incorporating universal principles of environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and cultural preservation. The projects showcase innovative approaches to integrating green infrastructure, preserving historical elements, and creating spaces that promote community interaction and well-being.
The featured masterplans represent a new generation of urban planning that goes beyond simply organizing buildings and infrastructure. Instead, they establish comprehensive frameworks for regenerating urban fabrics, adapting underutilized or historic sites, and creating inclusive communities prepared for future challenges. Through strategies that emphasize sustainability, mobility, and collective identity, these projects illustrate how thoughtful urban design can address contemporary issues while building resilient foundations for uncertain futures.
ArchDaily continues to accept submissions for unbuilt projects, inviting architects and planners to share their innovative designs that explore how urban planning can regenerate, reconnect, and reimagine the ways communities inhabit shared spaces. These eight masterplans provide compelling examples of how large-scale urban design can transform neighborhoods, preserve cultural heritage, and create sustainable environments for diverse populations across the globe.
