The Municipality of Genova has transformed the Gavoglio area in the Lagaccio district into a 10000 m2 urban park. The former military barracks in the area have been demolished and the area has developed into a public, inclusive and sustainable urban park built by almost entirely nature-based solutions. All functions of the park have been designed to be compatible with nature and the project involved the implementation of 12 different nature-based solutions.
The city of Genoa experiences acute densification and lack of public green spaces, making urban heat stress a pronounced challenge. Air pollution and biodiversity loss are among the other challenges Genova targeted to address through NBS implementation.
A green wall consists of a vine that can climb a structure on its own. The plants should be planted on the bottom of the wall and will grow towards the top of the structure. The main purpose of this is landscape mitigation, air quality improvement, increased biodiversity and local noise reduction.
The concentration levels of NO2 and O3 at the reference site in Via Napoli was significantly (1.5 to 3 times) greater than the one recorded in Gavoglio during the current data acquisition period, with a peak in autumn-winter time. Green wall demonstrated one of the highest values for species diversity among all NBS implemented in the Gavoglio area. Survey among the stakeholders indicated that the largest number of respondents (55%) quantified the increase in values for residential properties between 6% and 10%. Approximately 4925 m3 of demolition materials were reused on site.
- Reduce run-off
- Reducing temperature at meso or micro scale
- Carbon sequestration and storage
- More energy efficient buildings
- Increase Biodiversity
- Increase quality and quantity of green and blue infrastructures
- Increased cultural richness and biodiversity
- Changing image of the urban environment
- Creation of green jobs relating to construction & maintenance of NBS
- Improve air quality
- Increase amount of green open spaces for residents
- Increase awareness of NBS solution & their effectiveness and co benefits
Given the scarcity of territory, using vertical walls to establish plants and climbing greenery can be a valid alternative. The green walls can also be used to cover the retaining walls made of reinforced concrete that characterise many urban and suburban areas.
Nature-based solutions offer an integrative direction for multidisciplinary cooperation, but the cooperation must be facilitated carefully. Citizens are willing to actively participate in co-creation and co-monitoring if tools and means of participant retention are carefully considered and applied.
- Green wall