Rome revamps Piazza Risorgimento with trees and depaving amid heat challenges

Piazza Risorgimento Sabrina Alfonsi depaving tree planting heatwave

In Rome’s historic Piazza Risorgimento, 2,000 sq m of asphalt were removed and replaced with permeable material, turning about 75 % of the square pedestrian. The city planted tens of thousands of new trees as part of its climate‑adaptation programme and inaugurated the permanent river park “Tiberis”, featuring water games and fountains, to create natural cooling spaces.

A recent heatwave caused several of the newly‑planted trees to suffer damage and some to die, while benches became uncomfortably hot. Rome’s Climate Office, led by Edoardo Zanchini, acknowledged that the choice of tree species was unsuitable for extreme temperatures and announced plans to replace the dead trees and upgrade the irrigation system. Councillor Sabrina Alfonsi posted a video showing the watered plants and defended the project, noting that the city has also strengthened its heat‑wave plan and created climate shelters.

The €14 million (US$16 million) 2024 redesign, intended to improve shade and reduce urban heat islands, highlights the difficulty of retrofitting historic urban spaces to cope with increasingly brutal summer heat.

Entities: Edoardo Zanchini · Piazza Risorgimento · Roma Capitale · Rome · Rome Capital City Council · Sabrina Alfonsi · Tiberis · Tiberis park · Tiberis river park

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 6 SOURCES] The city aims to increase tree coverage while preserving historic‑artistic heritage. (Alfonsi’s video)
[● 6 SOURCES] Sabrina Alfonsi said more trees and shade are needed in historic squares but rules must change. (Alfonsi in a video response)
[● 8 SOURCES] 2,000 square metres of asphalt were removed from Piazza Risorgimento and replaced with permeable material, making 75% of the area pedestrian. (Sabrina Alfonsi said the removal and pedestrianisation took place.)
[● 8 SOURCES] Rome has planted tens of thousands of trees as part of its climate‑adaptation programme. (City officials cited the figure in multiple statements.)
[● 8 SOURCES] Rome strengthened its heat‑wave plan and created climate shelters. (City officials reported the measures.)
[● 8 SOURCES] The permanent river park “Tiberis” with water games and fountains was inaugurated yesterday. (City officials announced the opening.)
[● 8 SOURCES] Some newly planted trees in the square suffered damage during an exceptional heat wave. (Sabrina Alfonsi acknowledged the issue in a video.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Edoardo Zanchini, director of Rome’s Climate Office, said the piazza should have been planted with different trees. (He told CNN the choice of species was unsuitable for extreme heat.)
[● 2 SOURCES] The 2024 revamp of Piazza Risorgimento cost €14 million ($16 million) and included trees, fountains and seating. (CNN reported the budget and design details.)
[● 2 SOURCES] Rome will replace the dead trees in Piazza Risorgimento and upgrade the irrigation system. (City officials said they will act after the heat‑wave damage.)