Last updated: October 2021
The intervention to regenerate 5 squares in the city of Catania is a result of an announcement published by the EU, where European cities had the chance to present projects to get funds. Catania municipality was chosen for the importance of the areas from a historical and cultural perspective, and for the aim to insert green areas and vegetation both inside and outside the historical buildings. The square will see a new green area, in a process of linkage of nature and architecture. The whole area will be filled with some Mediterranean plants and trees (Ref.1.)
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Alley or street trees and other street vegetation
- Parks and urban forests
- Pocket parks/neighbourhood green spaces
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Green space creation and/or management
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
- Economic development and employment (SDG 8)
- Tourism support
Focus
Creation of new green areas
Project objectives
The goal of the intervention is to regenerate and promote an important area of the city, both for economic and cultural reasons. The presence of green areas in the square helps to improve the sight of it and to attract more visitors. The well-being of residents was increasing after the intervention because of the presence of a new green area (Ref.2.)
Implementation activities
In order to reach the goals, green areas were settled in the center and on the side of the square, together with the trees which were provided by the city itself. In addition, benches and lighting zones were provided to make the square more liveable. (Ref.2.)
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Co-management/Joint management
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The intervention is implemented by the municipality of Catania, which responded to an announcement of the EU which was offering funds for projects of regeneration of public squares. The company who won the project (Zeroarchitetti) designed the new sqaure with all the indications to realize the project. (Ref.1&3)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Yes
(The intervention was carried out by the city of Catania in response to the annoucement of the EU "CONCORSO EUROPEO DI IDEE E DI PROGETTAZIONE IN DUE FASI - PIAZZE BOTANICHE" (European contest of ideas and project for botanical squares. (Ref.1.) The contest is a result of the European Commission strategy plan named “Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns” (GRaBS) project, supported by Cohesion Policy funds, promotes urban planning efforts aimed at preserving and adapting open spaces to improve quality of life (Ref.5.))
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(At local level the city of Catania has implemented the "ZONA OMOGENEA "A" INDIVIDUAZIONE TIPOLOGIE EDILIZIE STUDIO DI DETTAGLIO" (Homogeneous zone "A" - study and intervention on public edifices) according to the regional law July 10th 2015 n.13., which establishes the criteria of intervention for public spaces (Ref.4.))
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Unknown
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Unknown
Type of reported impacts
No impacts reported
Presence of formal monitoring system
Unknown
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
Ref.1. Nextarchitetti (2006). PIAZZA MONTESSORI CATANIA. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.2. Archiportale (2006). «5 piazze per Catania»: i vincitori. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.3. University of Palermo (2006). Concorso di idee di progettazione" Piazze botaniche-Recupero di 5 piazze cittadine". (Website not available in 2020)
Ref.4. Comune di Catania (2015), ASSESSORATO URBANISTICA E DECORO URBANO DIREZIONE URBANISTICA E GESTIONE DEL TERRITTORIO
SERVIZIO P.R.G. PIANIFICAZIONE URBANISTICA PROGETTI SPECIALI (2015). ZONA OMOGENEA "A" INDIVIDUAZIONE TIPOLOGIE EDILIZIE STUDIO DI DETTAGLIO Legge regionale 10 luglio 2015 n. 13. Catania: pp. 1-26, Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.5. European Commission (2010). Making our cities attractive and sustainable. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, Pp. 1-36, Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.2. Archiportale (2006). «5 piazze per Catania»: i vincitori. Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.3. University of Palermo (2006). Concorso di idee di progettazione" Piazze botaniche-Recupero di 5 piazze cittadine". (Website not available in 2020)
Ref.4. Comune di Catania (2015), ASSESSORATO URBANISTICA E DECORO URBANO DIREZIONE URBANISTICA E GESTIONE DEL TERRITTORIO
SERVIZIO P.R.G. PIANIFICAZIONE URBANISTICA PROGETTI SPECIALI (2015). ZONA OMOGENEA "A" INDIVIDUAZIONE TIPOLOGIE EDILIZIE STUDIO DI DETTAGLIO Legge regionale 10 luglio 2015 n. 13. Catania: pp. 1-26, Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)
Ref.5. European Commission (2010). Making our cities attractive and sustainable. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, Pp. 1-36, Available at Source link (Accessed 20-6-2020)