• The city of Rome represents a complex and highly significant urban context for the experimentation of NbS (Nature-based Solutions): high soil sealing, vulnerability to extreme weather events and high concentration of public infrastructure, such as school buildings.
• Through URWAN, Rome becomes a Mediterranean pilot case, able to offer concrete and replicable solutions for other cities in the Euro-MED area facing similar challenges related to water scarcity and climate change.

The pilot area of the “Matteo Ricci” Comprehensive Institute was selected as an urban demonstration site for integrating sustainable water management interventions with school space regeneration actions and educational pathways. The school thus becomes a multifunctional space: an educational infrastructure, an environmental watchdog and a place for active involvement of the local community

The URWAN investment in Rome involves the implementation of an integrated system of Nature-based Solutions, including:

• Raingarden (rain garden) for the collection, filtration and infiltration of rainwater
• Two bioretention areas for sustainable urban runoff management
• Replacing asphalt surfaces with highly permeable drainage pavements
• Storage tank for rainwater reuse
• Integration with the school garden and support for teaching and workshop activities

These solutions help reduce surface runoff, improve water quality, mitigate urban heat islands and enhance school open spaces

The URWAN intervention at the Istituto Comprensivo Matteo Ricci represents a European public investment with long-term benefits:

• strengthens urban climate resilience
• improves stormwater management
• enhances the public school heritage
• integrates green infrastructure and educational processes
• promotes the active participation of students, families and the local community

The project demonstrates how Nature-based Solutions can be effective tools for urban regeneration, combining environmental sustainability, quality of public space and social inclusion.

The URWAN intervention at the “Matteo Ricci” Comprehensive Institute integrates environmental monitoring systems to continuously measure the water saving and performance of the installed Nature-based Solutions. I sensors will make it possible to collect data on the rainwater collected and reused, helping to objectively assess the effectiveness of the investment and its contribution to the objectives of the’EU Agenda 2030.

In parallel, the pilot site becomes a active environmental education space, addressed not only to students but also to the inhabitants of the Rome City Hall IX, raising awareness on issues of sustainable water management, climate resilience and care of public spaces.

The involvement of the local community is one of the main multiplier effects of the pilot action: the active participation of inhabitants fosters a sense of appropriation of public investment, helping to reduce the risk of vandalism and ensuring the durability of interventions over time.

URWAN - Urban Regenerative Water Avant-garde(N) is a European initiative involving 9 partners from 7 Mediterranean countries, coordinated by ANCI Lazio.

The project supports cities and territories in the development and implementation of nature-based solutions to address water scarcity and the impacts of climate change by fostering the repeatability and the transfer of pilot experiences to the local and international level.

The experience of Raingarden Rome is proposed as a reference model for future applications in other urban contexts, particularly in schools and public spaces.

URWAN thus contributes to building a vision of more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities, in which water becomes a central resource for urban regeneration and quality of life.

Visit this page again: in May 2026 we will publish photos of the realised project and the results of Raingarden Rome.