Land reclamation in Lombardy; Region accelerates the remediation process of 18 “orphan” sites – IlComizio

Thanks to funding of 51 million euros from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), supplemented by a further 14 million euros of regional funds. This joint effort aims to transform abandoned industrial areas into productive spaces again, reclamation in Lombardy with a careful eye on sustainability.

The new PSC portal (Contaminated Sites Portal) will be launched in July, simplifying the management of administrative procedures related to remediation. This initiative was highlighted during the conference “From reclamation to restoration”, organized by the Environment Commission of the Regional Council and held at Palazzo Pirelli.

The Undersecretary of State at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers announced that, following the approval of the “Save Home Decree”, the Government plans to reform the law on urban regeneration, inserting regulations that favor public-private partnerships. The goal is to recover millions of square meters of abandoned areas, making them productive again.

The Vice President of the Environment Commission expressed satisfaction with the event, underlining the importance of collaborating to give new life to polluted sites and transform them into precious resources for the territory. This vision is shared by the Regional Councilor for the Environment, who reiterated the Region’s commitment to the reclamation of orphan sites, with a total investment of 65 million euros.

Furthermore, ARPA Lombardia trained 277 technicians from public bodies in just a few months, strengthening skills in the rehabilitation and reclamation sector. Fabio Cambielli, General Director of ARPA Lombardia, emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring that contaminated sites are reclaimed and returned to the community, thus contributing to improving the quality of life and preventing further environmental pollution.

Lombardy has actually made giant strides in the cleanup of contaminated sites, with 3095 sites reclaimed since 2002. The region is recognized for its 5 Sites of National Interest (SIN), which include areas such as Broni, Brescia Caffaro, Sesto San Giovanni, Pioltello and Rodano, and the Lakes of Mantua and the chemical hub. The legislation on reclamation is essential to guarantee clear and effective processes, avoiding disputes and accelerating the recovery of the territories.

The public-private partnership (PPP) is seen as a crucial accelerator for urban remediation and regeneration processes. This collaborative approach between the public and private sectors can lead to greater efficiency and transparency, as well as stimulate sustainable initiatives such as renewable energy production. The experience of the ICMESA Seveso disaster is a historic example of resilience and recovery, which has led to new scientific knowledge and a recovery model that could serve as a reference for other initiatives.

The Lombardy Foundation for the Environment (FLA), founded following the Seveso accident, continues to play a key role in promoting environmental sustainability and managing land reclamation. With the fiftieth anniversary of the Seveso accident approaching in 2026, the FLA and Lombardy can offer an important lesson in environmental resilience and restoration.