REGGIO EMILIA – Sustainable mobility, slow tourism, environmental protection, and technological innovation. These are the key elements of the projects launched by the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park between Garfagnana and the Parma and Reggio Emilia Apennines, funded by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security through the "Parks for Climate – 2020" program. The project involves the creation of sustainable mobility services and infrastructure, with dedicated rest areas for shared mobility located near major public transportation hubs or traffic hubs. The areas will be equipped with electric vehicle charging stations, video surveillance systems, lighting, and signage. In the municipality of Corniglio, in the Cancelli area, a rest area for shared mobility has been created, designed as a gateway to the nature of the Alta Val Parma. Forest roads branch off from here towards Lagdei and the Lagoni area, popular destinations for hikers and cyclists.
UNCONTROLLED CAR INFLOW, TRAFFIC, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT – During summer weekends, especially in July and August, the uncontrolled influx of cars in these areas creates traffic congestion, safety issues, pollution, and significant environmental impacts. For this reason, the Park has implemented a €150.000 project to encourage more sustainable use of the natural area and promote forms of soft mobility such as hiking and cycling. The Gates project aims to create a hub between motorized and slow mobility, where visitors can leave their cars and continue on foot or by bicycle towards the protected area.
WORK IN CANCELLI – Work in Cancelli involved the existing parking lot, where electric vehicle charging stations were installed: two for cars and four for e-bikes. The area was landscaped with stabilized material and new traffic lanes. A roundabout—with a green area at its center—was also built to connect the provincial road to the two main forest roads toward Lagdei and Lagoni. All charging stations are equipped with smart technology that allows each charge to be monitored, recording the date, duration, and amount of energy delivered. The bike stations also include maintenance tools. The area is also equipped with LED lighting and video surveillance with two cameras. The electrical system is connected to the existing grid via a branch from the medium-voltage line operated by Enel and also powers other infrastructure, including a repurposed container that will be used as an emergency coordination center and a fire-prevention warehouse.
The project did not require expropriation: the interventions involve state-owned areas already managed by the Park and some private areas for which authorization has been granted. Infrastructure monitoring will allow us to estimate the savings in carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the use of electric vehicles and the reduction of traditional traffic. The data collected from the charging stations will also allow us to analyze the days and times of peak use, distinguishing between holidays and weekdays, to better understand visitor habits and plan any service improvements. All charging points will be included in the Park's digital map, and the data will be available free of charge on the institutional website.
WORK IN SOLOGNO – Work is also underway in the heart of the Reggio Emilia Apennines, in the village of Sologno, a hamlet in the Municipality of Villa Minozzo, for an investment of €218.500. A new shared mobility area will be built here, designed to encourage the use of eco-friendly vehicles and reduce CO2 emissions in the mountain area. The project will create a hub for various mobility systems serving visitors heading to places of great natural interest such as the Pietra di Bismantova, the sulfur springs of Fonti di Poiano, and the Triassic Gypsum area, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site on September 19, 2023. The project includes the creation of a rest area at the entrance to the park with an electric car charging station and e-bike parking spaces, as well as information and services for mobility on foot, by bicycle, and by public transportation. The station will be equipped with hardware and software to monitor charging and estimate CO2 savings. Car charging will be located in front of the hostel, recently renovated by the Municipality of Villa Minozzo. The surrounding area will host six e-bike parking spaces: two next to the charging station and four in the hostel courtyard.
The bus stop in front of the village post office is also being redeveloped to encourage the use of public transportation. Information panels and hiking signs will be installed to guide visitors through the park's trails, and a recycling center will be created to replace the bins currently located along the provincial road, improving the visual impact at the entrance to the village. A section of the provincial road that passes through the village is also planned for renovation. The project is co-financed by the Park Authority and the Municipality of Villa Minozzo with €18.500. In this small town of about 120 inhabitants, visitors will be able to find, within a few meters, charging stations for electric cars and bicycles, tourist services, bus connections, nature trails, and accommodations.
WORK IN MONCHIO DELLE CORTI – In the Parma area, work is set to begin on a new rest area dedicated to shared mobility at the "Pratospilla" entrance to the Park, in the municipality of Monchio delle Corti, the starting point of numerous trails leading to the woods, lakes, and high-altitude meadows of the Alta Val Cedra. The €50.000 project includes electric car and bicycle charging stations, two charging stations, a lighting system, and video surveillance. Finally, in Garfagnana, the Park is also investing in sustainable mobility with new rest areas dedicated to shared mobility in the municipality of Sillano-Giuncugnano, for an investment of €150.000. The project includes the installation of a car charging station in the center of Sillano, near the town hall, and seven e-bike charging points in several hamlets. The charging station will allow two vehicles to be charged simultaneously and is equipped with advanced technologies such as smart charging and intelligent energy flow management. The e-bike stations will be located near the Rocca Soraggio junction, in Villa Soraggio next to the renovated bus shelter, in the hamlet of Metello, in the parking lot in front of the village bar, and in the center of Ponteccio.
Additional charging stations will be built in Magliano, next to the village's panoramic terrace, and in Capanne di Sillano, near the Anemone Village, where existing charging stations will be upgraded. All charging areas will be equipped with bike racks, benches, and seating, transforming them into small rest and social spaces, equipped with LED lighting and video surveillance. For several years, the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, thanks to funding from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security's "Parks for Climate" program, has been pursuing tourism development projects in the area, some already completed and others in the planning and implementation phase. These projects are aimed at promoting sustainable use of natural resources, reducing traffic and emissions, and encouraging sustainable use of the area. The objectives are to promote non-polluting mobility, reduce vehicular traffic in protected areas, contribute to the fight against climate change, and strengthen ecosystems' resilience to human pressure, while promoting greater education, awareness, and responsibility among visitors.
Thanks for the article, it seems useful. I was hoping for more detailed information on monitoring, how CO2 emissions are calculated, and who will monitor the data. The projects are good, but there's a lack of clarity and practical coordination.
It seems like an interesting project to me but there are still many doubts about the management on the ground, the columns will be useful but they are not enough, the forest roads are not always passable and the tourist influx could continue to create problems if the road system is not better organised.