The project aims to re-naturalize some neighborhoods of Prato in a sustainable and socially inclusive way through the development of urban jungles. These urban areas with high housing and construction density will be redesigned in a green key through the natural ability of plants to break down pollutants, restore soil and space for community use, and transform marginal areas into real green hubs within interior of the city. The project promotes a new strategic urban planning approach with strong co-design and stakeholder engagement that will support the most inclusive urban green development in the city.
The City intends to achieve two main objectives:
1) the regeneration of disused, underutilized or declining urban areas through the reallocation of buildings and spaces towards a new, more creative and sustainable use; this concerns in particular urban architectural elements that belong to the collective memory and identity of the city - e.g. old industrial buildings, surroundings of social houses, historic buildings, etc. the enhancement of which requires an effective restoration of space and soil, a lightening of urban density and the creation of new functionalities that can restore their shared use and enjoyment.
2) the creation of green hubs among the community capable of building new high density green islands, structures and areas of environmental, sporting, cultural and social use.
Prato already boasts over 29,000 publicly owned trees that enhance the city's avenues, streets and parks. It is estimated that the trees of Prato collectively generate economic benefits of over 400,000 Euros per year, eliminating 3,715 kg of air pollutants each year, and producing energy savings for 2010 Mwh, intercept 7,891 m3 of rainwater and 69,600 Kg of carbon dioxide all year - and unlike other infrastructures, trees increase in value over time. The project will bring environmental, ecological, economic and social benefits, improve health, quality of life, well-being and safety of citizens, especially among the less privileged social classes.