Napoli Porta Est: A Bold Urban Renewal by Zaha Hadid Architects

Earlier this year, Zaha Hadid Architects have unveiled an ambitious new vision for Naples’ overlooked eastern district with the Napoli Porta Est Masterplan. Once home to heavy industry, the area has long felt cut off from the rest of the city, physically, socially and psychologically. The masterplan aims to reverse that disconnect, stitching the neighborhood back into the urban fabric through thoughtful design and major public investment.

At the heart of the proposal is a transformation of the city’s disused railway yards into an expansive urban park, turning dead zones into green, active public space. Alongside this, new infrastructure is designed to be adaptive and resilient, supporting sustainable development while encouraging better mobility and interaction. It’s a future-facing approach that seeks to repair more than just the city’s physical scars.

Rendered with crisp detail by Brick Visual, Felix Render and the ZHA team, the project mixes the studio’s signature fluid lines with a clear focus on accessibility and social cohesion. Rather than imposing a glossy new skyline, the design is grounded in the realities of the site, aiming to unlock potential in a part of Naples that’s long been left behind.

More architecture inspiration via ZHA