The building heritage represents a fundamental component of the territorial, cultural, and social identity of every community. However, in an era marked by increasingly urgent environmental challenges, it is essential to rethink the way buildings are designed, renovated, and managed. Sustainability is no longer an option but an essential direction: it means reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, enhancing the use of eco‑friendly materials, and promoting the well‑being of the people who live and work in built environments.
The University of Parma has long embarked on a concrete path toward green building, through projects that combine innovation, environmental responsibility, and the enhancement of existing structures. From the energy retrofitting of public buildings to the adoption of low‑impact technologies, every intervention is designed to generate long‑lasting value in harmony with the territory and its resources.
This page brings together experiences, best practices, and future perspectives, with the aim of sharing a model of responsible building development capable of meeting present needs without compromising those of future generations.
Enhancing Outdoor Spaces for a More Sustainable University
As part of its ongoing commitment to increasingly sustainable management of built and open spaces, the University of Parma recognizes the central role of its outdoor areas and green spaces.
The project includes an in‑depth survey of the various types of open spaces across the University’s campuses, aimed at identifying the main critical issues and potential of green areas, pathways, and existing outdoor furnishings.
The analysis covers different categories of green spaces — historical, designed, residual, or undergoing transformation — along with lawns, flowerbeds, green walls, and tree and shrub vegetation. At the same time, walkways, permeable and impermeable surfaces, outdoor furniture, and lighting are examined to assess their condition, functionality, and integration with the surrounding context. Special attention is also given to infrastructural elements and visual mitigation conditions, with the goal of improving the perceptual and environmental quality of the campuses.
This comprehensive assessment will guide redevelopment actions that combine sustainability, usability, and enhancement of the University’s heritage. The aim is to make the outdoor spaces of the various campuses increasingly welcoming, inclusive, and connected with the city, in line with the University’s vision of promoting community well‑being and protecting the local environment.
Restoration and Enhancement Works of the Historic Garden of the Botanical Garden
The restoration and enhancement works of the Historic Garden of the University of Parma’s Botanical Garden aim to recover and revitalise one of the most significant sites within the University’s scientific and cultural heritage. The project includes the restoration of historic structures, the redevelopment of botanical collections, and the improvement of spaces dedicated to research, teaching, and public engagement.
The goal is to return to the city a renewed garden—more accessible and more sustainable—capable of combining biodiversity conservation, landscape enhancement, and the dissemination of knowledge.
Water Resources Conservation Program – Construction of Rainwater Collection Tanks
The University of Parma, within the framework of sustainable water resource management, has developed projects for the recovery and reuse of rainwater for irrigation purposes. These interventions have been integrated into the seismic improvement works of the Teaching Engineering Headquarters and the Earth Sciences Complex, including the construction of underground storage tanks for the collection of rainwater intended for the irrigation of green walls and surrounding green areas.
Water-saving sanitary equipment, PPP actions for water efficiency, and use of AHU filters
Among the main measures implemented — and still ongoing — are:
Installation of aerated faucet nozzles on washbasin taps, which mix air and water while maintaining comfort and pressure, reducing water consumption by up to 30%;
Replacement of WC cisterns with dual-flush models, allowing water savings of 30–50% per use; by July 2025, these accounted for 30% of the toilet cisterns installed across the campus;
Maintenance and adjustment of WC flushing systems to prevent malfunctions and water waste;
Introduction of additional water-saving solutions, such as low-flow and automatic taps, low-consumption toilets, and waterless urinals.
In 2021, the University launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Siram Veolia for the energy and environmental management of the “Sustainable Campus” project. The planned activities include:
Special attention has also been devoted over the years to monitoring water leaks through electronic, electroacoustic systems and thermal imaging cameras. Since 2017, 13 hidden leaks have been identified within the university distribution networks, preventing water waste and structural damage.
Finally, the PPP with Siram Veolia includes the gradual replacement of air handling unit (AHU) filters with high-efficiency models, enabling:
lower replacement frequency;
energy savings;
waste reduction;
elimination of potable water consumption for filter washing;
Installation of Advanced Remote Monitoring Systems and Building Management Systems (BMS), LED Relamping Interventions in Campus Buildings
The University of Parma is developing several energy-efficiency initiatives related to advanced remote monitoring systems, Building Management Systems (BMS), and LED relamping projects across Campus buildings and other university facilities.
The main initiatives include:
expansion and upgrading of plant supervision and remote-control systems;
implementation of intelligent algorithms for energy management;
centralized monitoring of energy consumption;
replacement of traditional lighting with high-efficiency LED systems;
integration of systems into energy control and management platforms.
