Unimore has opened a new green area at the Department of Engineering Enzo Ferrari – Modena Campus as a project for sustainability and biodiversity.
On October 22, 2024, the inauguration of the new green area at the “Enzo Ferrari” Department of Engineering at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia took place. The area is located in the courtyard of the Modena Technopole.
The project, aimed at improving biodiversity and creating accessible spaces, aligns with the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in relation to the theme of “Sustainable Cities.”
The initiative was made possible thanks to the crucial contribution of the Modena Foundation as part of the 2023 Green Public Spaces Call, an initiative that funded the redevelopment of public green spaces. The call allocated 300,000 euros for projects focused on creating open spaces accessible and usable by the community, with the goal of transforming them into places of social and cultural aggregation.
This project was also supported by the student representatives within Unimore’s Academic Bodies.
The design of the area prioritized the use of plant species typical of the Mediterranean region to enhance biodiversity within a context of environmental sustainability. A central feature of the park is the Weather Station, part of the Geophysical Observatory of Modena network, which has been collecting valuable data for years to study the local climate.
The ceremony, introduced by Grazia Ghermandi, Unimore’s Delegate for Sustainability and member of UNIgreen WP6 was attended by the Rector of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Carlo Adolfo Porro, the Mayor of Modena Massimo Mezzetti, and Matteo Tiezzi, President of the Modena Foundation.
After the official greetings, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, followed by a guided tour of the green area, during which the main elements of the project, such as the plant species and the Weather Station, were illustrated.
“This green area is a concrete expression of our University’s commitment to sustainability and the care of spaces dedicated to our community,” emphasized Unimore Rector, Prof. Carlo Adolfo Porro. “Thanks to our collaboration with the Modena Foundation, we have created a space that promotes biodiversity and offers a quality environment for those who study and work there. The Weather Station, located within the park, continues to collect valuable data for climate research, a topic that is increasingly relevant. This space, far from being just a simple garden, is a resource for the entire city and for those who participate in academic life every day. The University will continue to carry out projects that enhance the territory and improve the quality of life for everyone.”
