The inaugural ceremony, open to the public, was presided over by the Government Commissioner of the Port Authority, Admiral Massimo Seno, and by the Italian Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi who confirmed their joint commitment to supporting border projects designed to improve integration between infrastructure, landscape and urban quality of life. The new Dunes Urban Park forms part of the far-reaching waterfront redevelopment plan, undertaken in recent years across Genova-Pra’, to identify and renovate areas of reconciliation between port requirements, local urban regeneration and the protection of the environment. A waterfront recreational area shoreside is already open to residents for leisure and sports activities. The ceremony, in commemoration of the handover of the Dunes Urban Park from the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority to the City of Genoa, was epitomised by the planting of an olive tree by the children of the local primary schools.
The new urban park, covering a total surface area of 40,000 sqm, stretches for over 1.5 km alongside the full-container terminal and the canal in the Genoa-Pra’ basin. The linear sequence of artificial dunes offer a visual barrier, provided by the biodiversity-rich habitat of the plant species typical of the local Mediterranean vegetation, with a scenic promenade combining both a footpath and cycle lane. The landscaped park also features a sequence of four themed dedicated areas for sports and leisure activities, including a children's playground and a panoramic outdoor events Piazza located at the end of the promenade overlooking the sea.
The Dunes, designed to mitigate the acoustic and visual impact of the port terminal facility, also contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions, offset by the myriad of new trees and shrubs planted, as a further step towards the creation of a green and resilient city.
With the completion of the Dunes Urban Park, the Port Authority continues in its firm commitment to safeguard the environment in areas which sit alongside the Ports of Genoa, Savona and Vado Ligure: landscaped spaces designed to mitigate noise and pollution, on-shore power supply and the redevelopment of derelict areas along the waterfront are set to impact significantly upon the quality of life of citizens, whilst simultaneously consolidating the overall strategic role of the port for the local community.
