1. General information Location and description of the intervention City or FUA Cagliari (FUA) Region Europe Native title of the NBS intervention Parco degli Anelli Short description of the intervention The "Parco degli Anelli" is a new green space project in Cagliari, located along the waterfront in the Sant'Elia district. Designed by Portuguese landscape architect João Ferreira Nunes and inaugurated in 2019, the park spans approximately 15 hectares, with over 4 hectares currently accessible to the public. The remaining area will undergo renovation in the next two phases of the project. The park is notable for its open design, free of walls and fences, and its direct access to the sea, making it a unique addition to the city's green spaces (Refs. 1, 2 & 7). This park exemplifies urban renewal by transforming a previously neglected and degraded area into a green, accessible to all public space. It is part of a broader context of redevelopment of peripheral neighborhoods, in this case the Sant'Elia district.(Refs. 6 & 9). Parco degli Anelli features flat terrain with numerous pedestrian and cycling paths for individual sports activities, along with expansive grassy areas covering about 27,000 square meters. The park is surrounded by approximately 500 newly planted trees and shrubs typical of Mediterranean maquis, including Aleppo pine, dwarf palm, European olive, and jacaranda. Future plans for the park include expanding into additional areas and connecting it to the rest of the city via a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Palma Canal, as well as connecting it to the new waterfront promenade that is being built from Via Roma to Marina Piccola (Refs. 1, 2 & 7). Website of the intervention https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli_it_1?contentI… Principal problems Land use and Socio-economic change Limited economic opportunities and local livelihoods Rapid urbanization Health, Well-being and Social cohesion Inadequate access to recreational opportunities Disconnection from nature Insecurity in public spaces Implementation area characterization Climate Temperate ( Humid subtropical, Hot-summer Mediterranean, Warm-summer Mediterranean, Warm-temperate with dry winter) Ecosystem Urban or built environment Address Passeggiata del Lungomare di Sant'Elia 09126 Cagliari Italy Location The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by). Area boundary (map-based) NBS area image Source of NBS area image https://www.google.com/maps/place/Parco+degli+Anelli/@39.1924106,9.1357786,643m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x12e733134987da67:0xb8daf975975f799b!8m2!3d39.1932796!4d9.1371519!16s%2Fg%2F11f6lj9brk?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDgyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D Total area 150000.00m² NBS area 150000.00m² Area description Urban (main city) Type of area before implementation of the NBS Previous derelict area Residential Timeline of intervention Start date of the intervention (planning process) 2014 Start date of intervention (implementation process) 2016 End date of the intervention ongoing Present stage of the intervention Ongoing 2. Objectives of the intervention Objectives of the intervention Goals of the intervention To transform a previously degraded area into a public park that includes Mediterranean vegetation and grassy landscapes (soil rehabilitation and revegetation) To create a green corridor that will connect various parks around Cagliari with the city center and its waterfront. To create a green space that supports cultural, recreational, and environmental activities by transforming the area into a venue for outdoor events such as cinema, music, and theater, alongside the indoor facilities of the historic Lazzaretto. To include pedestrian and cycling paths that promote outdoor activities and sustainable mobility To enhance tourism, boost the local economy, improve public safety, and strengthen the community interactions and its ties to the local community To be a park dedicated to the protection of natural elements represented primarily by the rocky hill and its rich Mediterranean scrub (coastal vegetation of thorny shrubs rich in birds and other vertebrates) (Refs. 1, 2, 6, 7 & 9). Key Priorities Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration) Social Justice and community Sustainability challenge(s) addressed Coastal resilience and marine protection (SDG 14) Coastal protection / hazard mitigation Marine and coastal biodiversity protection Environmental quality Soil quality improvement Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15) Green space creation and/or management Habitat and biodiversity restoration Cultural heritage and cultural diversity Preservation of natural heritage Health and well-being (SDG 3) Creation of opportunities for recreation Enabling opportunities for physical activity Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16) Combatting crime and corruption Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10) Social interaction Sense of community and community engagement Economic development and employment (SDG 8) Tourism support What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention? Species-focused Ecosystem-focused What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets? Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified) Restore native species Implementation activities and NBS focus Implementation activities Initially, landscape architect João Ferreira Nunes developed a master plan that focused on the layout, vegetation, pathways, and the integration of the park with its surrounding areas. A significant aspect of the project involved infrastructure development, which included constructing pedestrian and cycling paths that traverse the park, promoting outdoor activities and sustainable mobility. In total, approximately 27,000 square meters were re-vegetated, featuring hundreds of tree and shrub specimens such as Aleppo pine, dwarf palm, European olive, and jacaranda, all of which are typical of the Mediterranean region. This planting not only enhances the park's natural beauty but also its ecological value. Public access facilities, including benches and lighting, were installed. Future plans include expanding the park area and improving connectivity to other parts of the city through projects like a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Palma Canal and subsequent allotments of work that began in 2022. (Refs. 1, 2 & 7). Type of NBS project Creation of new green areas Creation of green corridors (including connectivity between urban and rural ecosystems) Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests Coastal landscape management or protection Coastal ecosystems restoration and maintenance (mangroves, dunes, saltplains, underwater meadows) Improving coastal resilience Ecological restoration of ecosystems Soil remediation and revegetation Remediation activities of sites with very poor environmental quality Transformation of previously derelict areas Transformation of vacant land into green spaces 3. NBS domains, ES and scale NBS domain and interventions Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented Parks and urban forests Large urban parks or forests Amenities offered by the NBS Benches and drinking water stations Sports areas and equipment Swimming areas Cultural (museum, concert areas) Complementing infrastructure (bathrooms, café) Viewing and outlook points Design elements for well-being Visual elements (e.g., expansive views, scenic views, natural light, diverse vegetation) Services Expected ecosystem services delivered Regulating services Coastal protection Habitat and supporting services Habitats for species Cultural services Tourism Inspiration for culture, art and design Recreation Social and community interactions Scale Spatial scale Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level Beneficiaries Demographics in implementation area The project is located in Sant’Elia neighborhood, which has historically been considered a marginalized neighborhood, geographically isolated and socially stigmatized. Its community, largely composed of public housing residents, has often been viewed as socially "difficult," primarily expressing basic needs and facing discrimination. The New Sant'Elia neighborhood (Nuovo Borgo Sant'Elia, new part of Sant'Elia, where the project is developed) has, in 2022, 4,749 inhabitants (around 3% of the total population of Cagliari). The average age is around 49 years old, which is distributed in different age groups as follows: 1. 0-14: 402 (8%). 2. 15-64: 3.078 (65%) 3. over 65: 1.269 (27%) The neighborhood is not characterized by emigration or immigration flows, in fact, the foreign population counts just 0.7% of its total population. Most of the foreigners in the area come from Kyrgyzstan and Romania. The neighborhood has the highest values for numerous families (all categories above 1 single component) and has the lowest recorded value for single residents. 25% of the households in the neighborhood are composed of 1 single person, 34% of 2 people, 22% of 3, 13% of 4, 4% of 5, and more than 2% of 6 or more people (Ref. 8 & 13). Socio-economic profile of the area Low-income Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts Unknown Primary Beneficiaries Citizens or community groups Specify primary beneficiaries The primary beneficiaries of the project are the residents of the Sant’Elia neighborhood and the broader community of Cagliari. The intervention aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents by improving public spaces, providing more recreational and cultural opportunities, and fostering a sense of community. Additionally, the project benefits visitors and tourists by creating a more accessible and attractive destination, contributing to the economic and social revitalization of the area (Refs. 1, 2 & 7). Marginalized groups Socio-economically disadvantaged populations (e.g. low-income households, unemployed) Measures for inclusion of marginalised groups The project aims to enhance the quality of the neighborhood in favor also of the most fragile communities such as the socio-economically disadvantaged populations. Other beneficiaries Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators) Native plant vegetation Natural habitats (e.g. wetland, forests, coastal areas) Public health (e.g. increased physical activity opportunities, reduced stress) 4. Governance and financing Governance Governance arrangements Government-led Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative - Comune di Cagliari: Coordinated the project through its Servizio Parchi, Verde e Gestione faunistica. - MATE Studio: Provided architectural design, project management, structural engineering, thermotechnical systems, and environmental evaluation. -Other private actors collaborated with the municipality for landscape design and additional environmental assessments as well as offering expertise in infrastructure, network projects, electrical systems, and safety coordination. The project included a task force collaboration approach through which several experts (structural engineer, engineer specialized in hydraulic works, landscape architect, forestry doctor and a geologist) collaborated during the implementation stage. Co-funding was provided by the Italian government through Fondo per lo Sviluppo e la Coesione (FSC), a key financial instrument for implementing policies aimed at economic, social, and territorial cohesion in Italy. (Refs. 1, 2, 5 & 7) Key actors - initiating organization Local government/municipality Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors) National government Private sector/corporate actor/company Participatory methods/forms of stakeholder involvement (all stakeholders) Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping) Taskforce groups Uncommon actors ("Missing actors") Unknown Land owners Public space owned by the city Policy drivers NBS intervention implemented in response to a Regional Directive/Strategy Unknown NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan Yes Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan The project is part of the Metropolitan City Development Pact: an agreement between the government, regions, and metropolitan cities aimed at promoting and ensuring investment in metropolitan areas and the South of Italy. It sets clear objectives and timelines for projects and enhances governance through collaborative efforts among the involved parties. It is coordinated by the Agency for Territorial Cohesion (Refs. 10 & 11). If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme/type of the plan Other Please specify other national policy instrument National Plan aimed at promoting and ensuring investment in metropolitan areas and the South of Italy. (Refs. 10 & 11). NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan Unknown Mandatory or voluntary intervention Mandatory (based on policy) Intervention is mandatory Spatial planning guidance Enablers & Barriers Type of enablers Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships) Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city) Please provide details (e.g, name of the plan or strategy) for the selected policies or initiatives. The project was financed through the Fondo per lo Sviluppo e la Coesione (FSC), a key financial instrument for implementing policies aimed at economic, social, and territorial cohesion in Italy. It provides funds for projects related to the Metropolitan City Development Pact (Ref. 12). Governance innovations: the project included agreements between the municipality of Cagliari and private actors. Governace and decison-making instruments Economic and fiscal instruments (e.g. subsidies or grants, charges or fees, payments for ecosystem services (PES)) Public - private business agreement (e.g. public private collaborations, public-private-partnerships (PPP)) Arrangements for governance cooperation Task forces or commissions (e.g. group of multi-disciplinary experts) Barriers Unknown Financing Total cost More than €4,000,000 Please specify total cost (EUR) €11,500,000 (Ref. 3) What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements? n/a Source(s) of funding Public local authority budget Public national budget Type of fund(s) used Earmarked public budget Non-financial contribution Unknown Co-finance for NBS No Entrepreneurship opportunities Unknown Business models Business models Green densification model Vacant space model Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model? Public actor (e.g. municipality) 5. Evaluation and learning Impacts, benefits Environmental impacts Water management and blue areas Enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems Green space and habitat Increased green space area Achieved increased green space area Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Achieved increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems Increased conversion of degraded land or soil Achieved increased conversion of degraded land or soil Increased number of species present Achieved increased number of species present Description of environmental benefits - Increased green space area: "The park covers a total of around 15 hectares, of which more than 4 hectares of the so-called first lot are now accessible to the public." (Ref. 1) - Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems/Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems: "But it will also be a park dedicated to the preservation of natural elements represented primarily by the rocky hill and its rich Mediterranean scrub." (Ref. 2) - Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: "The area is an example of rehabilitation of fallow land in degraded areas and is part of a larger context of redevelopment of suburban neighborhoods" (Ref. 1) - Increased number of species present: "with perimeter planting consisting of hundreds of tree and shrub specimens (Aleppo pine, dwarf palm, European olive, dwarf palm and jacaranda; typical Mediterranean shrubs)." (Ref. 1) Environmental impact indicators Total number of vascular plant species protected or introduced 5 Green space area created (in ha) 4 Economic impacts Stimulate development in deprived areas Achieved stimulate development in deprived areas Description of economic benefits - Stimulate development in deprived areas: "complex of tangible and intangible interventions that aim, acting on different fronts, at the redevelopment of the neighborhood and its reconnection with the city. The intervention on the landscape, with the creation of the Rings Park, is one of the most relevant." (Ref. 6) Social and cultural impacts Social justice and cohesion Improved access to urban green space Achieved improved access to urban green space Increased opportunities for social interaction Achieved increased opportunities for social interaction Health and wellbeing Gain in activities for recreation and exercise Achieved gain in activities for recreation and exercise Cultural heritage and sense of place Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Achieved protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure Description of social and cultural benefits - Improved access to urban green space: "Ring Park constitutes a new equipped green area in the city of Cagliari." (Ref. 1) - Increased opportunities for social interaction: "Thanks to this first batch, we will have a magnificent new space for cultural events" (Ref. 7). - Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Thanks to this first batch, we will have a magnificent new space for cultural events with a striking sea-view stage that will also have a close connection with the Lazaretto halls for film, music and theater." & "a sports area for beach disciplines, bicycle and pedestrian paths, piers to facilitate access to the sea and for sailboats, and the reorganization of the local outdoor market" (Ref. 7). - Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: "And place to preserve and enhance the Lazzaretto Gallery-shelter, former site of a monastic community, more recently used as an air raid shelter during the bombing of Cagliari in 1943." (Ref. 2) Evidence for use of assessment Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process Yes Actors involved in the assessment, monitoring or evaluation of NBS impacts Local government/municipality Presence of indicators used in reporting Yes Type of indicators Input indicators Progress indicators Outcome indicators Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports Yes Link to monitoring/evaluation reports https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/dettaglio_gara?prev=https%3A%2F%… Availability of a web-based monitoring tool Yes Link to a web-based monitoring tool https://opencoesione.gov.it/it/ Name of any specific impact assessment tools The project is using Open Coesione, an open government initiative on cohesion policies in Italy with the aim of promoting the effectiveness of interventions through the publication of data on funded projects and widespread civic participation. Use of GIS in mapping impacts No evidence in public records Cost-benefit analysis Unknown Transparency Public disclosure of project funding sources and/or budgets Online disclosure of technical reports (e.g. project documents, reports, or data) Justice Community satisfaction Mixed: Feedback and reports show a combination of positive and negative sentiments regarding satisfaction with the NBS project within the community. Description of locals satisfaction with the project The general perception of the project is mixed. While the park is appreciated for its beautiful design and well-maintained greenery, it suffers from significant vandalism and lacks essential amenities. Issues such as broken lighting, a lack of trash bins, and insufficient seating are commonly noted. Despite these challenges, there is hope that the park will improve and eventually become a source of pride for the Sant'Elia neighborhood, especially with in-progress implementations (Ref. 9 & 14). Trade-offs & Negative impacts Unknown Emphasis of existing social inequalities or injustices No information reported related to negative social justice-related impacts of the NBS project Measures to prevent gentrification or displacement No initiatives or policies were implemented High-quality & Transformative NBS Multiple impacts delivery (climate, biodiversity, just community) No Goal setting and impacts delivery No, project goals were not set, and benefits were not delivered in all 3 key areas. Reaching original project goals Most of the project goals were achieved Please specify the achievements of the project goals Biodiversity Goals: - Increased green space area: "The park covers a total of around 15 hectares, of which more than 4 hectares of the so-called first lot are now accessible to the public." (Ref. 1) - Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems/Expected enhanced protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems: "But it will also be a park dedicated to the preservation of natural elements represented primarily by the rocky hill and its rich Mediterranean scrub." (Ref. 2) - Increased conversion of degraded land or soil: "The area is an example of rehabilitation of fallow land in degraded areas and is part of a larger context of redevelopment of suburban neighborhoods" (Ref. 1) - Increased number of species present: "with perimeter planting consisting of hundreds of tree and shrub specimens (Aleppo pine, dwarf palm, European olive, dwarf palm and jacaranda; typical Mediterranean shrubs)." (Ref. 1) Social and community justice: - Improved access to urban green space: "Ring Park constitutes a new equipped green area in the city of Cagliari." (Ref. 1) - Increased opportunities for social interaction: "Thanks to this first batch, we will have a magnificent new space for cultural events" (Ref. 7). - Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "Thanks to this first batch, we will have a magnificent new space for cultural events with a striking sea-view stage that will also have a close connection with the Lazaretto halls for film, music and theater." & "a sports area for beach disciplines, bicycle and pedestrian paths, piers to facilitate access to the sea and for sailboats, and the reorganization of the local outdoor market" (Ref. 7). - Protection of historic and cultural landscape / infrastructure: "And place to preserve and enhance the Lazzaretto Gallery-shelter, former site of a monastic community, more recently used as an air raid shelter during the bombing of Cagliari in 1943." (Ref. 2) Long-term perspective Unknown: No information about the project's long-term sustainability. Cost-effective solutions Unknown Equitable impacts A. All stakeholders benefit fairly from the project Transformative capacity Social change (e.g. social relationships, networks and dynamics within them) Ecological change (e.g. ecosystem functions and their distribution) Magnitude of change Incremental: shallow; that is, mostly maintaining business-as-usual approaches to adaptation Application of lessons learned The NBS has been shared or used as a good practice to trigger transformative change Perception of Environmental Change Unknown 6. Sources References 1. Comune di Cagliari (2021). Parco degli anelli. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 2. Cagliaripad (2019). A Cagliari nel quartiere Sant’Elia apre la Spiaggia verde, alternativa al Poetto. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 3. OpenCoesione (2024). NUOVO PARCO URBANO DI SANT'ELIA: IL PARCO DEGLI ANELLI - II LOTTO. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 4. Regione Sardegna (2023). Affidamento della progettazione esecutiva e dell’esecuzione dei lavori per la Realizzazione del nuovo Parco Urbano di Sant’Elia. Accessed on August 31, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 5. Comune di Cagliari (2022). Progettazione del Nuovo Parco degli Anelli - II lotto. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 6. Ministero per i beni e le attività Culturali (2019). Progetti edizione 2018/2019. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 7. Green Planet News (2019). Spiaggia verde a Cagliari, alternativa al Poetto. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 8. Sant'Elia (n.d.). Quartiere margine. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 9. Rapeanu, P (2024). Cagliari, il parco degli Anelli regno dei vandali: gazebo distrutti e tappeti di rifiuti. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 10. Comune di Cagliari (2016). PATTO PER LO SVILUPPO DELLA CITTA’ METROPOLITANA DI CAGLIAR. [Source link] [Archive]; 11. Agenzia per la coesione territoriale (n.d.). I Patti per lo Sviluppo. Accessed on August 30, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 12. ’Agenzia per la coesione territoriale (n.d.). Fondo Sviluppo e Coesione. Accessed on August 31, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 13. Comune di Cagliari (2022). Atlante di Cagliari 2022. Accessed on August 31, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; 14. Google Reviews (n.d.). Google Reviews - Parco degli Anelli. Accessed on August 31, 2024, [Source link] [Archive]; Comments and notes Public Images Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246 Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246 Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246 Image Photo of the park: green spaces, walking path and newly planted trees appear on the left. Comune di Cagliari. 2021. “Parco Degli Anelli.” Comune Di Cagliari. 2021. https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246. Image Photo of the park: green spaces, walking path and newly planted trees appear on the left. Comune di Cagliari. 2021. “Parco Degli Anelli.” Comune Di Cagliari. 2021. https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246.
Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246
Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246
Image parco_degli_anelli https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246
Image Photo of the park: green spaces, walking path and newly planted trees appear on the left. Comune di Cagliari. 2021. “Parco Degli Anelli.” Comune Di Cagliari. 2021. https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246.
Image Photo of the park: green spaces, walking path and newly planted trees appear on the left. Comune di Cagliari. 2021. “Parco Degli Anelli.” Comune Di Cagliari. 2021. https://www.comune.cagliari.it/portale/page/it/parco_degli_anelli?contentId=GAL70246.
