Health-promoting Sustainable School Squares An Environmental Psychological Approach – Scuola de Amicis, Bologna

This paper aims to merge Environmental Psychological findings with sustainable urban design practices regarding the Scuola de Amicis primary and nursery schools in the historical centre of Bologna. The goal is to create a sopciopetal space system for children and their family members, as well as for the teachers. With the use of nature-based solutions the project aims not only to mitigate the negative mental and physical effects of metropolitan life, but to educate children to help them become a part of a more healthy and conscious society. The thesis provides a toolkit for designing contemporary and natural urban playgrounds and understanding pupils’ needs. In the first and second parts, I analyse the district, the focus area, and its problems. The third part provides a theoretical background and guidance on educational and health-supporting playgrounds for nursery and primary school children. The fourth part presents a conceptual plan to enhance the quality of three distinct spaces: the kindergarten playground, the primary school courtyard, and the urban area that connects the institution to Piazza XX Settembre and, by extension, to the metropolitan city.