In Rome the first “artistic” school road in Italy

THEn an era in which the cities struggle to balance mobility and livability, in the heart of Rome, precisely in the Tufello district, A pioneering project was inauguratedwhich could change the face of urban spaces. Via Monte Ruggero, as a simple busy artery, It turned into the first “artistic” school road in Italyan experiment that combines protection of the little ones, art, beauty and city participation.

Revolution on the roads

This unprecedented intervention is not only an infrastructure improvement, but embodies a real paradigm change in the conception of public spaces. In an increasingly congested urban context, Children’s safety finally becomes a priorityand does it through a universal language: that of art and shared creativity. Thanks to the international program “Asphalt Art Initiative”Of the Bloomberg FoundationRoma Capitale received a financing of $ 25,000 to carry out the project.

The first school road to include a work of art

Via Monte Ruggero, so, from a potentially risky road it has turned into a safety and beauty model. The intervention concerned a straight that connects different school and educational structures, frequented daily by children and teenagers. In addition to the pedestrianization of the area and the introduction of urban furniture elements, The project saw the realization of a work of art on the asphaltconceived by the Street Artist Thu Pistone. Detail that has made the area, not only safer, but also more lively and usable for the local community.

When decisions are shared

Particularly significant, it was the direct involvement of citizens in choosing the artistic project. For the first time, in an initiative of this type, The population was able to choose which work was drawn on the road. The project in via Monte Ruggero is part of a wider plan that involves the construction of over 30 school roads throughout Rome. This initiative represents a concrete response to one of the most important challenges for contemporary cities: Ensure the safety of the little ones in urban spaces.

School road: when it is born

The concept of school street began to take shape in the 80s, With the first experiments in Italy, precisely in Bolzano in 1989. The idea was simple but revolutionary: close the roads in front of schools, during entry and output times, to reduce the risk of accidents and improve air quality. Since then, The model has spread slowly, Finding fertile land in Italian cities such as Parma and Milanand subsequently in other parts of the world. Despite this, the road of Rome is the first in Italy to include a work of art on asphalt and actively involve citizenship in the choice of design.

Who adopts them in Europe

Today, School roads are a consolidated reality in many European cities And they are gaining popularity also in other regions of the world. Londonfor example, adopted the large-scale concept, during the Covid-19 pandemic, with over 600 school roads implemented thanks to the program “Stars” by Transport for London. Barcelona followed a similar path, introducing the program “Protagim Les Escoles“, Which led to the creation of more than 210 school roads. Also Paris He has invested in this model, integrating it into a package of measures to improve road safety and air quality.

Because they are important

School roads are not only a security intervention, but also a way to promote sustainable mobility and improve the quality of urban life. Limiting vehicular traffic, The levels of atmospheric and acoustic pollution are reducedcreating a healthier environment for children. Also, these spaces, favor the autonomy of the little ones, encouraging them to walk or ride a bicycle at school. From a social point of view, then, the school roads transform urban areas into meeting and community places, where People can interact in a safe and welcoming environment. This approach contributes to building cities even for children, an increasingly central goal in modern urban policies.

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