[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”text-headline2″]Ribbon-cutting ceremony opens the new tree-lined Corso Siccardi and newly renovated Piazza Arbarello, both returned to citizens with a completely new look following the redevelopment work planned by the city of Turin and carried out with a contribution from Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and Reale Foundation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Publication date: 3 March 2023
Institutional
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″ el_class=”page-content”][vc_column_text el_class=”text”]The two leading organisations based in Turin – which have made significant real estate investments in the area by creating the new headquarters of the Collegio Carlo Alberto, within the building that previously housed the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, and where the former IREN building was located, the new headquarters of Reale Group, in addition to the historic headquarters on Via Corte d’Appello – covered the full cost of the work of over one million euros.

The redevelopment improves the livability, accessibility and environmental quality of the two public spaces.
Freed from the car parking area at its centre, and slightly raised to better protect pedestrians from vehicle traffic, Piazza Arbarello has been restored as as a place to meet and socialise. In the shade of the large linden tree in the centre of the square, where eight new horse chestnut trees have been added, a pedestrian area has been created equipped with benches, street furniture and a new lighting system, stylistically matching the one already existing on the central avenue. Part of the area, on the north front, will be reserved for hospitality businesses to create outside seating areas as additional meeting spaces that can be used throughout the day.

The appearance of the tree-lined Corso Siccardi has also changed, becoming a pedestrian and cycle path connecting Piazza Arbarello, Via Barbaroux – where six new plants have been installed to continue the double row of trees – and Corso Galileo Ferraris. The avenue has thus become one of the gateways for cyclists and pedestrians to the western area of the historic centre, completing the route, partly completed previously, on the Corso Galileo Ferraris axis.
To create the paving in Piazza Arbarello, the existing stone blocks were used, after being removed and repositioned. Along Corso Siccardi, however, porphyry cubes, partly recovered and partly new, were laid on the ground. Ivy flowerbeds (in the section between via Cernaia and via Bertola) and a lawned area (between via Bertola and via Barbaroux) have been planted close to the trees running along the avenue. A new irrigation system has also been created to ensure proper rooting and maintenance.

The restyling also included major improvements to accessibility involving adaptation of the traffic light system on Via Bertola to ensure easier use of the avenue by cyclists and pedestrians. A new pedestrian crossing has also been added along Corso Siccardi as a continuation of Via Santa Maria. All architectural barriers have furthermore been removed along all through routes.

“The complete redevelopment of Piazza Arbarello and Corso Siccardi finally gives all citizens new areas to enjoy – said Turin’s Mayor Stefano Lo Russo -. I thank Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and the Reale Foundation because, thanks to this important enhancement project, the pedestrian square and the renovated tree-lined avenue have fully recovered their vocation as places for people to socialise, and will contribute to improving their quality of life. We will continue to make Turin better every day, in the knowledge that urban regeneration represents a strategic objective for the city, not only to improve the aesthetics of the place but above all to develop new uses. We want to combine the concept of taking care of the historical heritage with that of changing spaces, integrating them with new urban needs. We shall continue with this vision: Turin is changing and will be ever more welcoming and easy to live in”.

“This year, Reale Foundation celebrates its first five years of activity and is proud of the completion of this wonderful project with the City of Turin and Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo – said Luigi Lana, Chairman of Reale Mutua -. For 195 years, Reale Mutua has been working in close contact with partners of excellence. This redevelopment further consolidates the historic link between our Company and the City of Turin. Reale Mutua has always acted locally to restore value to the city and the community. As the first Mutual Benefit Company in Italy, we believe that the redevelopment of Piazza Arbarello and Corso Siccardi fits perfectly into the broader path of integrated sustainability, which allows us to continue our story, innovating every day”.

“Today we are inaugurating a renewed Piazza Arbarello, which we are particularly pleased about – said Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. We see the city as a meeting place and the re-purposing of public areas, where the Municipality has identified opportunities and priorities, is an essential tool for promoting local integration and revitalising the area. There are many potential proximity synergies, particularly arising from the use of this public space by cultural and training institutions which virtually form their own “district” here: starting with the Collegio Carlo Alberto on the opposite side, the current home of the Central Public Library, the State Archive on Via Piave, the Polo del ‘900 and Collegio degli Artigianelli. This collaboration between the public and private sectors achieves part of that vision of the city as a community for the achievement of which FCSP is always ready to work with the Municipality, local authorities and citizens”.

Turin, 3 March 2023[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTVCU2V6aW9uZV9Eb2N1bWVudGklNUQ=[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row]