Approaches and solutions for inclusive parks in the "new normal". The case study of the Vernavola Park in Pavia, Italy

The COVID-19 pandemic hits the cities while they were developing a complex transforming process to accomplish the Agenda 2030 Goals for the Sustainable Development. The restrictions dictated by the consequent limitations to our mobility, fundamental to contain the spread of the virus, change the way we live the public spaces and will have an impact also in the new normal we are going to live in the future. A new approach and several solutions have to be researched in the design of the parks, with the awareness of their importance, considering their positive impact on the communities, also due to the opportunities for playing, exercising, meeting and socializing in close contact with nature. To limit the risk of contagion, solutions encouraging a clear and safe use (respecting the physical distancing) and able to satisfy the needs of all persons have to be designed considering the centrality of the human being. The paper shows approach and results applied in the project for a park in Pavia, where flexible and exportable solutions, able to favour an inclusive and safe experience of parks are applied