Rome launches Tiberis river park as heat challenges strain city’s new green spaces

The city of Rome has opened the Tiberis river park on the left bank of the Tiber, converting a former seasonal beach into a year‑round green space. The 2‑hectare park was built with a €1.18 million municipal investment, involved extensive clearing of over 11,400 m² of vegetation, and added 101 new trees, 1,430 shrubs and 630 aquatic species. A central 30‑by‑9‑metre water basin can be filled for cooling in summer and used for performances in winter, while eco‑friendly walkways and misting systems provide additional relief.

At the same time, the nearby Parco Schuster, intended as an inclusive urban park near the Basilica of San Paolo, is confronting severe heat‑island effects. New hard‑scaped surfaces and immature plantings retain high temperatures, limiting comfort for users during the hottest part of the day. Officials see the situation as a reminder that Rome’s park designs must integrate mature shading and climate‑adaptation measures to remain functional as summer temperatures rise.