Milan exploded with joy at the news that the city had won the contest to host the 2015 EXPO. The event is expected to draw over 29 million visitors and create 70,000 new jobs, giving an enormous boost to the city's economy.

Plans for the city facelift have been drawn up by some of the worlds most famous architects. They include the new Santa Giulia residential quarter and shopping promenade (designed by Norman Foster), a 32-storey Regional Government Hall (by Henry Cobb), three towers by Hadid, Isozaki and Libeskind and a new Museum of Design (also by Libeskind). A landmark 200 m-high monolithic tower will rise in the middle of the pavilions at the 110 hectare-EXPO site at the new Rho-Pero Trade Fair centre, which will be surrounded by vast green spaces. Milan mayor, Letizia Moratti, announced that particular attention will be paid to preserving the environment. No cars will be allowed inside the EXPO citadel, but only vehicles powered by electricity or hydrogen and both heating and air conditioning will be provided by solar energy. The site will be linked to the city centre by two main routes: the Vie di Acqua e di Terra (the Water and Earth roads), which will run through 20 kms of mainly parkland. The picturesque “Water Route” will involve the reuse of Milans ancient, traditional transportation system of canals, the Navigli.