Urban Regeneration

New Horizons

Urban regeneration refers to the comprehensive process of revitalising areas within a city that have fallen into decline, often due to industrial shifts, economic downturns, or social neglect. It’s not just about physical redevelopment – such as refurbishing old buildings or creating new infrastructure – but also  about renewing communities, stimulating local economies and improving the quality of life for residents. Over the coming pages, RLI highlights a selection of projects that are doing precisely this.

At its heart, urban regeneration aims to transform struggling or abandoned urban areas into thriving, inclusive and sustainable communities. This often involves a mix of public and private investment, strong community engagement and coordinated planning across sectors like housing, transport, culture and green spaces.

Urban regeneration projects vary widely – from city-wide transformations to community-led projects in smaller towns focusing on affordable housing and local culture. Successful regeneration initiatives often emerge from strong partnerships between government, private sector developers, non-profits and local residents. Crucially, effective projects prioritise community engagement, ensuring that the voices of existing populations are heard and respected and that regeneration benefits those who already live there – not just incoming groups.

While regeneration brings opportunities for growth and vibrancy, it also raises important challenges, such as avoiding gentrification, ensuring equitable development and preserving local character.

In a world facing rapid urbanisation, climate change and economic uncertainty, urban regeneration represents a powerful tool for building resilient, vibrant and hopeful cities. When guided by thoughtful planning and deep local collaboration, regeneration projects can create places where people of all backgrounds have the opportunity to live, grow and thrive together.

Urban Regeneration Projects Around the World

Americas – 
Enhancing Montreal’s iconic and ever-evolving composition with a ground-breaking approach to how people work, learn, play and live, the largest private development in Quebec, Royalmount is a densified, mixed-use project, with massive greening, public transit access and a focus on active mobility. It is a neighbourhood reimagined and a world-class midtown in the heart of Montreal. With design work by Benoy and construction completed and the scheme opened by developers Carbonleo last year, Royalmount is one of the only 100 per cent carbon-neutral mixed-use developments in Canada and is a never-before-seen living environment where connectivity, creativity, sustainability and technology thrive. Royalmount has brought the best brands, experiences and offerings to Quebec. The first phase consists of an 824,000sq ft indoor and outdoor, two-level retail and lifestyle complex. It features retailers, restaurants, experiential attractions, an elevated linear park as well as a 1.8ha urban park. Just before launch, a dozen new retailers were announced at the scheme and these were Zara, Nike, Moncler, Longchamp, Anine Bing, Mango, H&M, Alo Yoga, Veronica Beard, Canada Goose, Sephora and Roche Bobois.

Boston’s Seaport District represents one of the most transformational regeneration projects in the US in recent years. Unlocked after a decade of development and $22bn of public investment, Seaport is now home to an ecosystem of more than 350 companies, from global leaders in technology and biotech, to ground-breaking start-ups. In the heart of the district, developer WS Development is transforming 23 acres of land, composed of 7.7 million square feet of residential, hotel, office, retail, entertainment, civic and cultural uses, as well as signature public open spaces. Completed last year, the scheme represented the single largest development project in Boston’s history.

The long-anticipated redevelopment of Westfield Garden State Plaza is gaining momentum, with a groundbreaking expected in mid-2025, according to 3E Public Relations, representing Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the mall’s owner. This ambitious project is part of a growing trend of transforming traditional malls into mixed-use hubs in Paramus. Work on the redevelopment began in October 2023 with the demolition of the former Best Buy and Bank of America buildings to create 180 additional parking spaces, marking the first visible steps of the transformation. If all phases are approved and completed, the redevelopment will include 1,400 apartments, new retail spaces, a hotel, senior care facility and a park-like town green. The first phase of the renovation is set to feature two five-storey mixed-use buildings with 575 housing units and 50,000sq ft of retail space, along with a 1-acre town green designed for outdoor markets, dining and social gatherings, envisioned as a new downtown for Paramus. The Westfield Garden State Plaza project is just one of three major mall redevelopments in Paramus along with Bergen Town Center and Paramus Park Mall.

Asia – 
The C Future City, developed by the Centralcon Group, is a TOD mixed-use urban complex spread over 1,200,000 square metres, comprised of retail, office, hotels and residential development. It is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in Shenzhen. Its first phase, which is comprised of two 300m twin towers, a shopping mall and service apartments, was officially opened on the 15th December 2022. Its second phase, which will be comprised of retail, cultural and residential elements, is under construction. The much talked about project integrates futuristic design with art, nature and new technology and is becoming a new iconic destination for the young and creative people in Shenzhen.

The upcoming Huafa Snow World in Shenzhen by developers Huafa Group, will house the world’s largest indoor skiing destination, which will have an 83-metre-high and 441-metre-long ski slope, along with a hotel, shopping mall and office spaces. The entertainment destination is slated to open in October 2025. The main attraction of the venue in Qianhai Bay in northwest Shenzhen will be the 80,000sq m Huafa Snow Centre which will feature ceramic boards and aluminium panel detailing that will mimic the texture of ice crystals and glaciers on the resort’s façade, while the sloping roof of the main building will be lined with solar panels. Huafa Snow World will also house experiential retail, entertainment and office spaces in the FUNMIX zone, which is below the ski slope. The design of the building has been broken up into a series of floating boxes that aim to serve as a visually captivating entrance to the ski centre. Visitors can also stroll through the retail street that links the Snow Centre with neighbouring developments by way of multi-level connections.

Currently in its soft opening phase after launching in December, Kai Tak Sports Park (Sports Park)’s mall area, Kai Tak Mall is marking a new chapter in Hong Kong’s shopping and entertainment landscape. As the retail hub adjoining the world-class Sports Park, Kai Tak Mall, with K11 Group as the developer, leasing agent and operator, is centred around Hong Kong’s first and only “sportainment” concept, curating five unparalleled and exclusive experiences for visitors. Spanning nearly 700,000sq ft of gross floor area, the mall offers a diverse mix of fashion, dining and entertainment options designed to captivate both locals and tourists. With a line-up of international concerts, world-class entertainment and major sporting events set to take place at the Sports Park, Kai Tak Mall is poised to become a must-visit destination for sports enthusiasts and trendsetters alike. It is destined to establish itself as Hong Kong’s largest sportainment destination.

International – 
After an eight year wait, one of Germany’s largest malls has finally opened with 100,000sq m of retail, dining and event space as Hamburg celebrates the grand opening of the Westfield Überseequartier. Featuring 170 stores, 40 dining experiences, a new art museum, three hotels and a cruise ship terminal, the mall is the latest section of Hafencity to open. Located directly on the River Elbe with its own pier and terminal for cruise ships, the new mall is right in the heart of Hamburg – just a 15-minute walk (or one subway stop) from the city centre, Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier seeks to be more than just a consumer temple: Its Port des Lumières multimedia art experience and the ten cinemas of Kinopolis also offer culture and entertainment. With this mixed-use development, the developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield showcases its vision to play an active part in the sustainable transformation of cities, connecting future-oriented models for urban living with the historically developed Hamburg identity. In line with our sustainability strategy, Better Places 2030, Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier will foster new modes of sustainable mobility, including e-vehicle platforms, smart shuttles and the implementation of intelligent logistics and traffic control systems. 

A new world-class destination, The Ellinikon is an upcoming ‘smart’ and ‘green’ city on the Athens Riviera and constitutes the largest urban regeneration project in Europe. With views of the endless blue of the Aegean Sea and breathtaking sunsets, The Ellinikon is the ultimate year-round destination. The 15-minute paradigm city offers a new contemporary way of life for everyone. Smart residences, top shopping offerings, high-end gastronomy and entertainment options, place The Ellinikon at the centre of global interest. The Ellinikon, the new landmark of 21st-century Greece, invites you to discover it through a journey of exciting experiences. Part of this groundbreaking development, The Ellinikon Mall will be a new meeting point for all as visitors will be able to explore an innovative destination that spans 100,000sq m, offering premier retail, F&B and entertainment offerings. Developer LAMDA Development’s vision for the iconic The Ellinikon Mall is to unite shopping, entertainment, work and relaxation within a single space, offering visitors a fresh way of life within contemporary infrastructures distinguished by their exceptional aesthetics. The mall, along with many other elements of The Ellinikon project, is due to open in 2027 or 2028.

Multi Corporation, the leading European integrated service platform for retail real estate assets, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the property management mandate for the highly anticipated Thematic District of Genoa in Italy, a large-scale urban regeneration project offering retail and gastronomy by developer Genova Sviluppo Srl. The project is recognised as one of the best developments on the Italian market and the mandate includes advisory on all pre-opening activities and property management post-opening, with the grand opening planned for mid-2025. The mandate was awarded by Genova Sviluppo Srl. The new Thematic District is set to transform a strategic area of Genoa, bringing new life to the marina zone through an innovative urban intervention that integrates residential, nautical and commercial functions. This world-class redevelopment project will rejuvenate a disused area, reconnecting it with downtown Genoa. Central to this regeneration is a new retail development spanning three floors and around 28.000sq m of GLA. The new District will feature a diverse mix of national and international brands, focusing on sport, the sea world and local products. It promises to be a premier destination for residents, tourists and visitors to the adjacent marina as well as Genoa more generally.

The largest urban reconversion investment in Romania has been approved by the Cluj-Napoca Local Council – a €500M mixed-use project on the former Carbochim platform. The project, named RIVUS, proposed by IULIUS and Atterbury Europe, will transform the former industrial platform into a complex open to the community, with culture, park space, entertainment, shopping and office components across a total leasable area of 165,000sq m. The family-friendly project will feature high-end brands and home decoration specialty anchors, the most diverse mix of international coffee shops and concept-restaurants in Romania, a fresh market, local services and products, family entertainment and edutainment concepts marking national or regional premieres. The green-blue corridor will extend through the project via a new urban garden, with more than 52,000sq m of landscaped green spaces. The design of this is based on the company’ expertise in similar mixed-use projects and will use large trees that offer the benefits of a mature park. The project is currently in the building permitting phase, whilst the first phase of the works, namely the dismantling of the former industrial facilities, is
nearing completion.

Two stops from London Bridge and four stops from Waterloo, Canada Water is already one of London’s best-connected places. Its new chapter will include everything from flexible workspace and labs and a new high street and town square to 12 acres of new public realm and a new 3.5 acre park. Inspired by its rich heritage, Canada Water’s sustainable two million square feet of state-of-the-art work and lab spaces, one million square feet of world-class retail and cultural space, 3,000 new homes and green public spaces will make it one of London’s most exceptional places to work, live, relax and grow. The first phase of the Canada Water masterplan completes this year, delivering 300,000sq ft of workspace and 13,000sq ft of retail at Three Deal Porters and Dock Shed, a new leisure centre for Southwark Council and 186 new homes at The Founding. Under development by British Land in a joint venture with AustralianSuper, the project is a wide-ranging one and is not expected to be fully complete for the next 10-15 years.

The Elephant, a landmark building undergoing a transformative £132M redevelopment in the heart of the capital by developer Publica Properties, has officially reached its topping-out milestone. The iconic former House of Fraser building at 318 Oxford Street, London W1 is being reimagined as a vibrant mixed-use office and retail destination, featuring a marquee restaurant on the eighth floor with 360-degree views across the city. Set for completion in autumn 2026, The Elephant will offer 366,000sq ft of premium commercial space including a state-of-the-art gym, a 25m swimming pool and 42,600sq ft of retail units. The project has been designed to preserve and enhance the structure with upmost attention to adapting the existing building structure and minimising embodied carbon. The plans include the provision of new, attractive shopfronts, extensive refurbishment of the existing façade and the creation of highly flexible, open floorplates for varied uses. They are also incorporating a large-scale elephant sculpture crafted from recycled steel, symbolising the project’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in urban placemaking. On the interior, the existing sixth and seventh floors have been removed and replaced with three new floors. MGAC is providing project management, cost management and health + safety services for the project which is reflective of a wider shift in the industry to reduce embodied carbon through the strategic reuse of existing building materials.

MENA – 
An upcoming project by Developer Emaar Properties is their new Dubai Square which is set to become of the world’s most advanced developments, using AI for the design, construction and creating ‘unique’ personalised customer experiences. According to Emaar, Dubai Square is a residential, hospitality and retail city that will boast 10,000 residential units, over 1,500 hotel rooms and a retail district that is approximately the size of The Dubai Mall. Dubai Square will be facing the iconic Dubai Creek Tower and the Dubai Creek Plaza. Emaar is planning to complete both the new landmark Creek Tower and the Dubai Square project at the same time in 2027.

INFINITI by Ajdan is not merely a development; it’s a statement of ambition, a testament to luxury living reimagined and a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aspirations for a thriving future. Spanning over 45,000sq m of prime Al Khobar waterfront, INFINITI offers a 360-degree lifestyle experience unlike any other. This architectural masterpiece comprises three distinctive towers, soaring 35, 40 and 45 floors high, each offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf. It’s a vibrant destination where life unfolds seamlessly against a backdrop of unparalleled luxury. An open-air commercial mall, pulsating with high-end retail, world-class dining and captivating entertainment, forms the heart of this thriving community. Residents and visitors alike can indulge in a curated selection of renowned international restaurants and cafes, explore upscale retail offerings, and enjoy onsite entertainment, including a luxury cinema and dedicated play areas. Being developed by Ajdan Real Estate Development Company and due to launch in November 2026, every detail at INFINITI has been carefully considered to elevate the everyday into the extraordinary.

Back in 2023, a new project was unveiled which is set to be the world’s largest modern downtown – New Murabba. The downtown, which is scheduled to be completed by 2030, will feature a series of immersive experiences tapping into culture, commercial spaces and residences. The project will cover an area of 19sq km and will have over 25 million square metres of floor area. The development will boast 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms and 980,000sq m of retail space. At its heart, “The Mukaab”, which will reportedly be large enough to house twenty Empire State Buildings, will encompass a tower atop a spiral base and a structure featuring two million square metres of floor space. The overall project is being developed by New Murabba Development Company and is one of the Public Investment Fund’s most recent schemes.

Concept i, an interior design and architecture studio headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, earlier this year won the 2024/25 Best International Retail Development at the International Property Awards ceremony held at the Savoy Hotel, London on 20 February. The prestigious award was for the Citystars Katameya project in New Cairo, Egypt, a mixed-use project being developed by ARCO and Citystars. Citystars Katameya is a 1.3km-long mixed-use development covering a 245,000sq m site area situated along Cairo’s prominent ring road. The project features luxurious residential areas, world-class hospitality and Grade A office spaces set within a spectacular retail and entertainment urban promenade. The entire development is seamlessly integrated as a one stop “Live, Work, Play” destination. The holistic design approach reflects Concept i’s dedication to delivering immersive, future-forward environments that enhance the urban fabric, fusing commercial success with quality of life. Citystars Katameya is aligned with Egypt Vision 2030 focusing on improving quality of life and living standards for the future.