The Greenkeys projects

The problem of abandoned and devalued urban areas is common among many European cities. The environmental, economic and social decline, which these areas often entail, requires rapid reconsideration and improvements as the lowering of the quality of life may not only spill over to adjacent neighbourhoods, but also the area itself does not need to be relinquished.

The cities are facing difficulties in finding an adequate solution to the main problem of how to apply methods of sustainable rehabilitation to redevelop and enhance the areas in the long term.

The European Commission has started the EU Community Initiative INTERREG III B CADSES (2005-2008), which focuses on increasing the sustainability of cities by initialising the endowment of green spaces. By means of that, local residents and medium-sized enterprises would benefit immediately, but the scientific and practical experiences gained during the projects are equally important as they will promote transnational cooperation in Europe and bring about further projects.

The key question posed by the GreenKeys project is: What are the tools and methods necessary for increasing the sustainability of urban areas by adding green spaces, given the fact that ecological, social and economical conditions are often mutually dependent?
Greenkeys focuses on the improvement of urban green spaces as a step towards more sustainable cities. The three main objectives are

  1. to provide incentives for structural changes in cities by offering opportunities for the enhancement of green spaces. Its 12 partner cities will, together with local stakeholders, develop a strategic approach for the pilot projects to create new or upgrade existing green areas to achieve more accessibility, social and recreational values and ecological efficiency. By the involvement of local activists, the political attention to the benefits of green spaces to urban environments will be increased. GreenKeys will support the implementation/evaluation of pilot projects in order
  2. to develop a “Pool of Green Strategies” (instruments, methods, concepts and good examples) based on the experiences being made to meet the demands of future needs and
  3. to use the synergies to promote the transfer of knowledge by a transnational network and, thus, foster the exchange of the particular national experiences.

In pursuing these goals, GreenKeys brings together 12 cities in 7 countries, 8 scientific supporters, external experts, design studios and NGOs, which participate through their own networks.


Italian
GUILIANOVA - PARCO DI VIA DEL CAMPETTO
City Map

Creation of social, recreational and sport facilities

profile

Type of green space Area   Users
Green space 2 ha   All age groups

location and site characteristics

The urban park Via del Campetto is situated near the historical city centre and mainly surrounded by residential areas.The area is flat for the greatest part but it presents a south directed light slope.The park connects two different areas of the city: the historical one with older houses and very small shops and an area characterised by new buildings of medium density, some of these under construction. Public and private transports ensure a good accessibility.

current situation

Several years ago the area was planted with indigenous trees and shrub species and this contributed to the conservation of the existing orography of the territory.
The area has been equipped with public lighting. But anyway the park is a disused and derelict area which cannot be utilized because of the absence of paths, other  equipments and facilities.

A preparatory assessment study led to a preliminary project foreseeing the layout of the area. The executive project produced short after has been approved by the municipality administration.

development goals

The main goal is to recover a big derelict urban area to gain an important space with facilities for social, sport and entertainment activities.
The pilot project aims at  becoming the city’s green heart to be used by all social classes and age groups as a meeting and entertainment place. 

how to get involved

The City of Giulianova has carried out initiatives  in order to directly involve citizens to the planning of the pilot project. They have been the occasion for collecting impressions and suggestions. Anyway, whoever is interested in expressing his opinion can contact theMunicipality of Giulianova- Environmental Department.
 
Via Del Campetto
Top view of Via Del Competto
Top view of Via Del Competto

Please click here for more pictures and maps:

Via Del Campetto picture 

 Map of Via Del Campetto

news

local events

press

On December 11, during the site visit of the IOER & UPRIS team to Giulianova a press conference was organised by the Municipality of Giulianova. Orlando Polilli, the city council for environment and head of the GreenKeys team in Giulianova presented the GreenKeys project and Carlos Smaniotto gave an introduction to the main project’s objectives.

An article was published by the newspaper Il Messaggero on the 12/12/2006. This article can be seen here .