From plants to control units to monitor air quality, the ‘Central Bosc’ project has been approved

The ‘Central Bosc – The great green horizon in the eastern quadrant of Ferrara’ project was approved by the municipal council. An approval within the scope of the tender for the design and construction of green and blue infrastructure in urban areas and in areas near the center. At the initiative of the Environment Department, the new green lung will host around 3,500 plants and shrubs and will take shape in the eastern quadrant of the city, next to Via Caldirolo. Furthermore, a cycle path will be created that will connect Via Frutteti to Piazzale San Giovanni.

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The new 55 thousand square meter park will be in close connection with the existing geological rebalancing area and the urban gardens, as well as intercepting rainfall and reducing the risk of flooding in the neighbourhood. Cycle-pedestrian paths accessible and semi-permeable for the collection of rainwater, they will connect the green area to the linear park of the historic walls: the new cycle path will offer a new connection point for an area just outside the walls and the city centre. The different areas of the park will offer spaces for relaxation, entertainment and nature exploration.

The dense forestation and the protection of native fauna are combined with solutions such as rain gardens and a new pond of approximately 500 square metres, aimed at safeguarding the numerous species of wild microfauna. The intention is to contribute to improving air quality, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing pollution, with the planting of 1,580 trees and 2,700 shrubs. This forestry plant will further enrich the number of trees present in the city from 2019 to today, which already exceeds 15 thousand new plants.

The largest part of the area will be designated as a park and aimed at public use, with the installation of equipment for outdoor play and physical activity, together with tables and benches for users’ entertainment, a fruit growing system and a vegetable garden shared. Green and blue infrastructure will marry with digital infrastructure, creating an environment where i environmental data will be collected and shared with the community, citizens, scholars and relevant bodies.

Specifically, 6 Tree-Talker control units will be installed to measure plant parameters and a series of environmental and microclimatic elements, 2 low-cost Stima Rmap control units and a Lab Service Analytica control unit, to detect fine dust and other useful parameters for monitor air quality. The total value of the project amounts to 1,383,726.52 euros. 70%, or 1,176,167.54 euros, coming from the European Regional Development Fund, to which is added the co-financing of the Municipality of Ferrara amounting to 207,558.98 euros.