Often called the 'design heart' of Italy, Milan is a city that provides a cultural and economical diversity which is reflected in the urban planning and layout of its districts, as well as in the events that take place during the year.

Quadrilatero della Moda, also called Via Monte Napoleone, represents Milan's fashion district, a high-class shopping area in the center of the city, and headquarters of the world's major fashion house boutiques. It is located in the South part of of Porta Nuova, and its name 'quadrilateral of fashion' describes the footprint of its borders formed by Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia.

In a city with a strong cultural and historic background like Milan, the urban design seems to embrace the economic structure of the area. As a fashion center, the area of Montenapoleone is characterized by a strong architectural layout. The street has buildings from the first part of the nineteenth century, such as Palazzo Melzi di Cusano and the Palazzo Gavazzi. This part of the city traces the Roman city walls built by Emperor Maximian, and later rebuilt in Neoclassical manner.

The design of  the area highlights the importance of its economic structure. It became one of the leading streets in international fashion after World War II, and is the equivalent to Paris' Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré and London's Bond Street or Oxford Street.

Looking at the organization of a city, is it possible to distinguish economic districts according to their planning design?

Credits: Images by Alexandra Serbana. Data linked to sources.