Genova Ocean Agorà (GOA)

 Spiaggia Sturla (City of Genoa) – Italy

Dates : 2020-2025

Project leaders: Genova Blue District, City of Genoa

Classification

Risks

Solutions

Actors

Costs

Summary

GOA was launched in November 2020 by the City of Genova and developed by the Genova Blue District. The project consists of installing a submerged artificial reef with the twofold function of protecting the coastline and promoting biological diversity. This artificial reef will also be dedicated to human activities (water sports, etc.) and incorporated into a digital environment intended for users, as well as monitoring and research activities. The proposal also foresees the creation of new environmental, ecological, sportive and social infrastructures that will involve citizens, sports associations, local economic activities and companies as well as regional research centres, thereby allowing the revitalisation of a degraded area.

GOA aims to:

  • combat the degradation of the beach by protecting it from storm surges and restoring its vitality 
  • encourage the recovery of underwater life and biodiversity 
  • de-seasonalise the use of the sea 
  • initiate an ecological conversion of the beach 
  • provide the city with a new centre of excellence of national and international significance 
  • create a more inclusive environment by using artificial intelligence technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data 
  • build a contract between residents, companies, and research centres for the governance and development of an ecosystem that is both environmental and economic

Actions

The project includes the creation of an artificial reef made of natural materials and will be approximately 100 m wide and 250 m long. This infrastructure should counteract the deterioration and degradation of the beach, protecting it from storm surge damage, thereby allowing it to regain its width as well as social and ecological utility. The new infrastructure will thus provide a habitat for the repopulation of marine life and biodiversity.

The project plans on reorganising beach facilities with the installation of showers, lockers and reception areas, using environmentally sound materials, equipment and technologies. It also comprises the creation of green and shaded islands, both natural and artificial.

The planned interventions are embedded in a resilience and recovery process regarding citizens’ and tourists’ usage of the sea. The project, which covers the Sturla coast, is of relevance to the entire city of Genova. While allowing the rehabilitation of the designated area, GOA also provides the city with a new centre of excellence, capable of stimulating the connection between citizens and tourists with the sea and attracting board sports amateurs at a national and international level.

It is an inclusive project. Citizens, sports associations, companies and research centres will be able to participate through new technologies (artificial intelligence, internet of things, Big Data) and awareness-raising activities that will inform them on how to reduce their activities’ impacts.

The project is part of a reorganisation process of users’ functions and commitments and the realities around the beach. It builds on the establishment of an inclusive governmental pact for the development and sustainability of the ecosystem.

The GOA project will provide an integrated digital environment with monitoring and research functions that will support:

  • research and monitoring of the biophysical conditions of the area in the face of climate change, erosion, pollution and biodiversity impacts 
  • the construction of a digital tool for the individual ecological report of citizens and the beach to promote and guide sustainable behaviour 
  • the collection of information on the access conditions to the beach and the level of safety in its use 
  • measurement of physical well-being and sports performance 
  • participatory citizen science processes to increase knowledge and awareness (e.g. plastic count)

Outcomes

Preliminary results: The project is at a preliminary design stage and has determined the funds needed for its implementation. An integrated feasibility study (engineering, ecosystem, technology, social and economic) will then follow. This integrated study will indicate the best solutions, methods and materials to maximise ecosystem services. This will be succeeded by the final design and implementation of the project by 2025. 

This project was awarded during the Blue Hackathon by a jury of stakeholders on the theme ” the sea as a commons accessible to all, all year round “.

Expected results :

  • creation of an artificial reef made of natural materials of about 100 m wide and 250 m long, capable of reversing the current erosion and degradation of the beach;
  • Repopulation of the ecosystem;
  • De-seasonalisation of beach use: extending the use of the area for water sports, even during the coldest and windiest periods of the year
  • creation of an integrated digital environment for both users and monitoring and research activities
  • redesigning the facilities
  • creation of green islands

GOA is a collaborative project that emerged from an “open innovation city” operation calling for bottom-up ideas and initiatives. Genova Blue District and its partners support the project throughout its various phases by involving universities, research centres, local public bodies and companies.

It builds on feasibility studies. The project is still in its early stages, with preliminary investigations being carried out with the city’s public maritime and public works offices. Going forward, in-depth feasibility analyses will be carried out with the participation of many stakeholders.

Partners

Technical partners: Genova Blue District, City of Genoa, Università degli Studi di Genova, Politecnico di Torino, ARPA Liguria

Financial partners: PON-METRO 2021/2027 public funds

Resources