Rome's big plans for her river and parks

 ROME - With approximately 1.5 million euros going into its restoration, the Tiber is well on its way to achieving the possibility of swimming in it, according to Il Messaggero. Work continues on making repairing and restoring its embankments, which have been neglected despite the extensive restoration work done in areas overlooking the river.

 Rome’s parks are proving to be urban oases where her citizens can relax, but some remain unfinished. Fortunately, the Tiber’s restoration budget was approved by the Capitoline Hille a month ago, and the idea of swimming in it once again without the risk of disease is no longer a far off dream; Mayor Gualtieri has promised a turning point in the years to come. There is hope for a new level of tourism on the Tiber, with the proposal to embrace the “Paris-Plages”, beaches along the Seine with umbrellas, sand, and palm trees.

 The main obstacle to making the Tiber suitable for swimming is the pollutants (over 8,000 tons of microplastics were fished out between 2006 and 2016) and the wastewater coming from the Aniene, with flows affected by the industrial settlements in the Tiburtina Basin. Action to contain these flows and a purification operation using natural methods (phyto-purification using organic elements) are certainly needed.

 Mapping of accessibility and hydraulic hazards is also needed. In Paris there was a significant financial contribution from the government to achieve this goal. he allocated funds will also cover expensive cleanups that allowed for the creation of pathways, which turned out to be more extensive than initially planned, and will also go towards redeveloping one of the parks as a venue for major events.

 At Parco dell’Acqua Acetosa (10 hectares of green space with no nearby buildings), an open-air arena will be built, potentially becoming the new stage for the Villa Ada Festival. Besides the performance venue, there will also be a fitness trail and a play area.

 The Ponte Milvio park and the Foro Italico will also receive €440,000 in funding. Inaugurated in June 2025, this Nature Oasis created in the floodplain area on the right bank of the Tiber will see improved lighting (including for archaeological finds, such as the 2,000-year-old stone marking the site of the ancient Tiber embankment) and new video surveillance cameras. Resources will also be allocated to the Ostia Park, to create a natural passageway between the archaeological park and the riverside park (currently separated only by a railing).

 Mayor Gualtieri's reasoning is this: these 75 km of natural and urban landscapes cannot be ignored; they must be increasingly integrated by creating green and blue spaces accessible to all, accompanied by a sustainable mobility network. The goal is also to achieve ‘swimmability’ within five years.

 “The river park experience shows we’re on the right path,” says Environment Councillor Sabrina Alfonsi. “We’re reclaiming places from decay and giving them back to the city. Investing in the Tiber means looking to the future with courage and vision. The river, once a problem, becomes an opportunity—another source of wealth. To make this happen, we need the collaboration of all institutions, and we want to do our part—maybe even a little more.”

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