by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Elisa Lodi, Trieste Councilor for Real Estate Heritage and Sports
The City of Trieste has completed a €200,000 renovation and safety upgrade of Gianni Rodari Primary School, finishing the work in time for the start of the new school year.
City officials presented the completed project on Tuesday during a press conference at the school, attended by Elisa Lodi, Trieste’s councilor for municipal property and sport, and Gianluca Forzato, legal representative of the Udine-based contractor Yard Manager S.r.l.
The renovation was funded through a regional contribution from Friuli Venezia Giulia and focused on addressing structural deterioration while improving the building’s safety and functionality. The project formed part of a broader summer program of maintenance across the city’s public schools.
According to the municipality, more than €1.5 million was invested this summer in school maintenance projects, in addition to funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and regional grants supporting larger educational infrastructure works.
“This work was completed in time for the beginning of the school year,” Lodi said, thanking the contractor and the city’s Public Works Department for coordinating the project during the summer break, when construction could proceed without disrupting classes.
The intervention concentrated on the school’s central section, including its main entrance. Crews repaired and restored the roof, replaced gutters and downspouts, renovated damaged exterior plaster, and repaired interior finishes affected by water infiltration.
The project also included the installation of new window frames and the removal of asbestos-coated piping as part of the building’s environmental remediation.
The works were overseen by the Municipality of Trieste’s school construction service, with surveyor Stefano Zinnanti serving as site director, architect Gabriella Fuzio assisting with project supervision, architect Dario Markovic coordinating safety, and engineer Elena Clio Pavan acting as the project’s manager.
Municipal officials said the renovation is part of an ongoing program to preserve and modernize Trieste’s school buildings, with a focus on safety, maintenance and the quality of learning environments.
