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After "only" 17 years (yes, seventeen) since construction began, Piazza Angioni (the terrace above the Bastion) will once again be accessible to residents, including the children of the Santa Caterina and Castello elementary schools. Finally! Or not? While awaiting the official inauguration by the city authorities, a closer look will leave you dazzled, quite literally, by the pure white paving. Granite slabs as far as the eye can see, a continuum that ends at the parapet overlooking the Capoterra mountains.
But, there's a but: what about the trees? What about the benches? What about the old fountain, to provide a modicum of refreshment without having to go down to the Garden beneath the Walls every time (elevator quirks permitting)? What about enhancing the archaeological remains with transparent flooring? It seems like just another heat island has been created, impractical during the warmer months (which is, for most of the year now).
Heat islands, which the current municipal administration announced just a few weeks ago it intended to combat with a dedicated plan costing over €7 million. This clear plan, the City Council specified, includes "thermal mitigation of road surfaces through the use of colored asphalt and highly reflective pavements ('cool pavements'); the creation of urban shade zones through the installation of shade sails; and the creation of urban water resilience infrastructure." These are all worthy intentions; Cagliari is finally adapting to climate change, but who knows why none of this will be on display in Piazza Angioni.
The redevelopment project, one might argue, is now several years old, or perhaps the Superintendency didn't grant variations, allowing for some greenery due to the archaeological remains beneath the square and to harmonize with the lower terrace of the Bastion. However, there are some olive trees, which were certainly not included in the original project.
Perhaps an opportunity has been missed to finally, after so many years of waiting, provide a green space for the residents of Castello and the young students of the Santa Caterina school. There's always time to plant a few trees, a few shrubs, reinstall a fountain, and also prevent the "new" square from becoming yet another makeshift parking lot. Castello residents, children, teachers, and parents of the Santa Caterina school are not giving up hope. Just as long as it doesn't take another 17 years...
Daniele Casale, parent of a student at Santa Caterina Primary School