A Greener Florence in 2023

 

The garden at via Alderotti

The Municipality of Florence has multiple projects underway to add new parks, gardens, and trees to the city thanks to European Union funds from PON Metro. A total of 18 million euros has been allocated towards the completion of 68 different projects, representing the largest local environmental investment ever made in a single year. Florence will “turn green” as more parks, green areas, and the “plantscaping” the city’s architecture will incorporate “pocket gardens” and “ivy walls.”

All projects are set to be carried out in 2023 which will be overseen by the city’s Department of the Environment.

As Mayor Dario Nardella stated, “This plan is revolutionary since it’s never been done before and will have enormous benefits. It will be a rush to complete everything by the end of 2023. The plan is already set in place and the public should be seeing results over the next few months.”

City council environmental official Andrea Giorgio added, “Due to the ongoing consequences of climate change, it is very important to contrast and mitigate its effects with this project. In addition, the social function that the new green areas will offer to the public is also an enormous benefit. These are crucial changes to help design a more livable city of the future.”  1800 square meters of vertical greenery will enhance the buildings while 2000 meters of streets will be planted with 1500 new trees.

Specific public green spaces to be be refurbished include the Villa Strozzi Park, ​​the back of Giardino del Sole, the garden in via del Mezzetta, the garden once belonging to the Meccanotessile, the Parco del Mensola, and property adjacent to the former Lupi di Toscana barracks in Scandicci. 

New trees and shrubs will be planted not only in Cascine park but also along a number of streets, avenues, and squares in the city center. Some places where new greenery is confirmed are in via Mameli, via Lungarni De Gasperi, via Aldo Moro, viale XI Agosto and such parks as Villa Strozzi, Villa Favard, Stibbert, Rusciano, and Orticoltura.

In the former Piazzale Michelangelo campsite there will be new fences, a play area, and entrances to the park. Many so-called “urban spaces” or “pocket parks” that have previously been neglected, such as those at Ponte a Greve, Carraia, and the Bellariva gardens, will be completely renovated with new shrubs, trees, bushes, flowers, and benches. A brand-new urban park is also set to be constructed in between Districts 4 and 5.

“Green and sustainable architectural” elements will furthermore be added to the city’s urban planning. These ‘urban forestation’ efforts will significantly increase the environmental quality by using ‘vertical greening’ and ‘green roof’ techniques. These techniques promote energy efficiency by absorbing fine dust and reducing summer heat.

Also, there are plans to reduce “noise pollution” in the city which will improve the quality of life and the livability of urban areas. These plans include “quiet areas” defined as places that will be “sheltered” from the city’s noise by planting shrubs and trees. The city officials hope these efforts will give citizens a space to rest and rebalance the body and mind. Three “quiet areas” will be added in Pettini Burresi, Anconella and Mensola parks.  This new chapter will not only sustainably revitalize Florence, but will also provide new spaces for citizens to exist comfortably in the social sphere. (Michela Tambasco)

For more information see here: https://www.comune.fi.it/comunicati-stampa/il-2023-anno-del-verde-firenze