by InTrieste
A newly renovated parking area adjacent to the Ferdinandeo, along via Carlo De Marchesetti, has officially opened, completing a series of urban infrastructure projects designed to improve water management and public green spaces.
The project, part of a broader initiative funded by the Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition, received approximately €780,000 in support to mitigate the effects of climate change in urban areas. The initiative included similar interventions in the Farneto area, where a collection basin was installed beneath a parking lot to manage stormwater.
At Ferdinandeo, the renovation involved partial replacement of the parking surface with a sound-absorbing, permeable pavement designed to reduce local heat accumulation and improve drainage. The parking spaces themselves were largely maintained in a reinforced gravel mix, with two spaces converted to permeable concrete specifically for accessible parking. The layout was engineered to direct rainwater toward a newly created central green strip, which includes drainage trenches and planting beds to enhance water infiltration and support newly planted vegetation.
The green installation consists of small-leaved linden trees (Tilia cordata) spaced 7.5 meters apart, interspersed with hawthorn shrubs (Crataegus monogyna). These species were chosen for their ecological value, low maintenance needs, and suitability to the local climate and soil. According to city planners, the vegetation provides habitats for local wildlife while contributing to urban cooling and stormwater management.
The Ferdinandeo upgrade also complements other recent projects, such as the refurbishment of playgrounds at Villa Revoltella and the Farneto forest fitness trail, forming part of a coordinated city strategy to reduce urban heat islands and enhance the resilience of public spaces to extreme weather events.
The construction work was carried out by Venilio De Stefano Srl of Spilimbergo and completed in November, following a four-month schedule. Total costs for the Ferdinandeo parking project amounted to approximately €209,000, including labor, materials, and safety-related expenses.
City officials emphasized that the intervention represents a combination of practical infrastructure improvements and environmental sustainability, reflecting a growing focus on urban planning that integrates green infrastructure and climate adaptation measures.
