School Street
Location: Perugia, Italy
Area: 10,000 m2
Budget: 30.000$
To be completed in: 2026
Client: City of Perugia
With:
CAP 06124
Clean Cities
FIAB Perugia
Legambiente Perugia
School Street
Location: Perugia, Italy
Area: 10,000 m2
Budget: 30.000$
To be completed in: 2026
Client: City of Perugia
With:
CAP 06124
Clean Cities
FIAB Perugia
Legambiente Perugia
Proposal for a biking network in the Via Birago neighborhood, Perugia, Italy. This initiative, in collaboration with CAP 06124, FIAB, Legambiente, and Ya Basta!, is part of the Streets for Kids campaign by Clean Cities. The goal is to slow traffic near six local schools, link two public parks, and promote biking and walking as safe, enjoyable ways to travel—starting with the daily school commute. The project was outlined on Piazza Birago’s pavement using colored tape, encouraging children to playfully reimagine their route to school. Parents were also asked to give a feedback, using the floor graphic to discuss solutions like street diets, traffic-calming measures, and shared, protected bike paths.
Proposal for a biking network in the Via Birago neighborhood, Perugia, Italy. This initiative, in collaboration with CAP 06124, FIAB, Legambiente, and Ya Basta!, is part of the Streets for Kids campaign by Clean Cities. The goal is to slow traffic near six local schools, link two public parks, and promote biking and walking as safe, enjoyable ways to travel—starting with the daily school commute. The project was outlined on Piazza Birago’s pavement using colored tape, encouraging children to playfully reimagine their route to school. Parents were also asked to give a feedback, using the floor graphic to discuss solutions like street diets, traffic-calming measures, and shared, protected bike paths.
Via Birago today:
The challenge:
During entrance and exit times of the public schools along Via Birago, traffic congestion is common, the width of the street allows drivers to park in double row, so people find it more natural to use the road to get around, due to blocked pavements. Additionally, the lack of protection for pedestrians makes walking the least preferred way of moving.
During entrance and exit times of the public schools along Via Birago, traffic congestion is common, the width of the street allows drivers to park in double row, so people find it more natural to use the road to get around, due to blocked pavements. Additionally, the lack of protection for pedestrians makes walking the least preferred way of moving.
The potential:
The potential:
The Via Birago neighborhood boasts one kindergarten, three schools, two high schools and three parish centers. It is placed strategically between S. Anna Park, Pescaia Park and the railway station. Additionally, it is located along the axis between Mercato del Piazzale del Bove and the historic center.
The Via Birago neighborhood boasts one kindergarten, three schools, two high schools and three parish centers. It is placed strategically between S. Anna Park, Pescaia Park and the railway station. Additionally, it is located along the axis between Mercato del Piazzale del Bove and the historic center.
The high density of services is a valuable resource for developing a walkable neighborhood
The high density of services is a valuable resource for developing a walkable neighborhood
We asked teachers, students, and parents how they wish to live in the neighborhood.
We asked teachers, students, and parents how they wish to live in the neighborhood.
We found that while most parents live close enough to walk to school, they prefer driving and parking near the church, then walking the last 100 meters as a compromise between safety and avoiding traffic congestion.
We found that while most parents live close enough to walk to school, they prefer driving and parking near the church, then walking the last 100 meters as a compromise between safety and avoiding traffic congestion.
And we transformed the Piazza Birago in a scaled version of our proposal
And we transformed the Piazza Birago in a scaled version of our proposal
The proposal focuses on improving the safety along Via Birago, offering alternative transportation options. Instead of using their cars, people will be able to walk, bike, and favour organized ways to get to school as the Walking Bus.
The proposal focuses on improving the safety along Via Birago, offering alternative transportation options. Instead of using their cars, people will be able to walk, bike, and favour organized ways to get to school as the Walking Bus.
Presenting the idea to the neighborhood:
Presenting the idea to the neighborhood:
We invited school children to play, simulating their typical home to school journey by bike, skate, or any way they would like it to be. The map was also soon personalized by kids who imagined planting trees and building parks and playground next to their schools and homes. The event turned into a great opportunity to interchange opinions about how the street should be designed to make it safer for children and more efficient in terms of traffic.
We invited school children to play, simulating their typical home to school journey by bike, skate, or any way they would like it to be. The map was also soon personalized by kids who imagined planting trees and building parks and playground next to their schools and homes. The event turned into a great opportunity to interchange opinions about how the street should be designed to make it safer for children and more efficient in terms of traffic.
