
Public space in the historic city: the redevelopment of the Piazzetta del Porto in Parona in the center of Verona

Scientific Director: Barbara Bogoni
Collaborators: Carlo Peraboni, Eleonora Bersani, Marco Cillis, Andrea Adami, Ginevra Rossi, Carlo Togliani, Sebastiano Marconcini, Andrea Di Giovanni, Maria Gaia Cicconi
Partners: Comune di Verona
Project year: 2025-2026
The redevelopment of Piazzetta del Porto is part of a broader initiative launched by the Municipality of Verona to enhance fifteen smaller squares in the historic city center. The project was developed by the team of the Unesco Research Lab. The intervention includes a complete repaving of the area, aimed at creating a more cohesive public space and improving pedestrian flow.
A key element of the project is the redesign of the semicircular section of the square, now featuring a more regular shape that allows vehicle access while keeping pedestrian movement as the main priority. The roadway is positioned in the southern part of the square and is defined by slightly raised stone inserts, designed to help reduce vehicle speed. Pedestrian circulation is guided by “carpet-like” patterns integrated into the paving, which highlight pathways and key features, encouraging movement and interaction within the space. Last July 2025, a public meeting was held to present the project and engage with local residents, gathering valuable input to ensure a more thoughtful and community-oriented design process.
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architectural design architectural preservation and valorization archival research and enhancement geomatics history inclusion and accessibility sustainability urban design urban re-activation