An Interview to a College Student
I recently interviewed my cousin Federico, a junior college student and athlete who lives in Milano. He has been attending the University of Milano Bicocca since he moved to the city; originally he is from north-west of Piemonte, a region in north-west of Italy. We had a very interesting conversation one evening while enjoying stracciatella ice cream in a small town not too far from the Tuscan coast. I asked him whether he likes Milano, and why. I was surprised and intrigued by his answer. You have to know that usually Milano is associated with smog, lack of green spaces, and traffic jams. And yet Federico is really enjoying staying there. Let's find out why.
He lives in the area Bicocca, north-east of downtown, close to Sesto San Giovanni. Here two unique skyscrapers dominate the landscape: they are called Il Bosco Verticale - Vertical Forest. You have to know that this project designed by Boeri Studio won the International High-rise Award in 2014. It was a revolutionary idea at the time: a fine example of sustainable design but at the same time also a pilot project. The idea was to find out whether it would be feasible to increase the urban tree canopy and provide housing for the increasing population without expanding urban density horizontally but instead vertically. The balconies of both buildings host over 100 species of plants and trees which create a micro climate, absorb CO2, and provide shelter for a diverse bird population. Time will say whether the idea is going to work or not.
The area that the Vertical Forest is located in has been undergoing a transformation where the contemporary meets the old. Not too far from the high-rises you can find and enjoy the biblioteca degli alberi - the trees’ library. Federico was telling me that it is a big green area where trees have been planted following a specific design, and their names are written in Latin in big letters. The tree canopy creates shaded areas where you can read in peace, away from people in your own little niche. There are also fountains with playground areas for kids and an outdoor gym where anybody can exercise.
Federico chose to live in this area because it is close to the university, but most of all because it does not look like the stereotypical Milano - gray and chaotic, instead it is a nice green residential area.
What are your favorite places?
"I love hanging out at the Castello Sforzesco or Sforza's Castle - and the near Sempione Park. The castle that belonged to the House of Sforza is really well kept, and it is fun to follow the self-guided tour; it tells you about the castle and how the city has changed in the centuries. For example today the castle is in the center of the city, but in the past it used to be in its outskirt. In the castle’s gardens there are cats, many cats, and they are not stray, instead they are fed by staff working there. I enjoy spending time in the castle's courtyards".
"I also fell in love with the area called City Life west of the castle. I found out about it on Youtube because of videos on updates about the construction of the third tower. So I decided to take a look and venture there. The whole area has fairly new buildings which blend really well with the old surrounding apartment buildings". It seem that Federico is drawn by green areas. And interestingly Milano is investing in becoming greener; in fact, tree million trees will be planted within 2030.
Last but not least the Duomo’s area is in Federico's list. He was saying that when "you get out of the metro, you can see the cathedral materializing in slow motion as you walk up the stairs" - I remember that myself. "I love the square, it is famous and rightly so. Walking in the square with the Duomo staring at you makes you feel you are part of it". I would add that it is also thrilling to walk on the rooftop of the cathedral! The square is in the heart of Milano, and there is a great deal to see in the nearby area: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the department store La Rinascente, and the theater La Scala just to name a few sites.
Any suggestions for young people visiting Milano?
- What would you tell people your age to see?
"Piazza Duomo. You have to see it, and there is plenty to do nearby."
-What about social life in Milano, what are the trends right now?
"Definitely, have an aperitivo - before dinner drink - with your friends! There are so many places; the area south-west of downtown called navigli has water channels going through the urban area and you can have a spritz on the boat or in any of the clubs. If you are in Piazza Duomo go to either the Aperol Terrace or the Campari Terrace (also called Camparino), located on each side of the entrance of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuale". By the way the Galleria is one of Milano's landmarks, and the oldest Italian shopping mall still in use.
What is your favorite place for an aperitivo?
"My favorite place for an aperitivo? Rotonda della Besana near Porta Romana. It is an old baroque round building, with porticoes and a garden. It is an amazing place to have an aperitivo, the setting is outstanding. The cost for an aperitivo is around 10 Euros. I also love to do apericena, very trendy right now in Milano. You pay between 7 and 15 Euros for your drink and you can eat what you want as much as you want. Usually apericena are crowded, but that is not a reason enough for not going".
I guess that next time I am in Milano I am going to follow Federico's advise. For now I am thanking him for his tips, and for his amazing photos that he allowed me to use for this post.
Grazie Federico!
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