Fiat: Former test track becomes a garden
GREEN FUTURE How cities can develop in the face of new challenges was presented by Italian architect and urban planner Stefano Boeri and Fiat CEO Olivier François on "International World Environment Day". In recent years, Stefano Boeri has made a name for himself as the inventor of so-called vertical forests, which he integrates into his buildings. In Milan, the [...]
In recent years, Stefano Boeri has made a name for himself as the inventor of the so-called vertical forests that he integrates into his buildings. In Milan, the architect greened two high-rise buildings, and he is now transferring the design of these prototypes to new buildings worldwide, as well as to the redesign of buildings, in order to reduce the cities' contribution to CO2.
Profound changes, especially in the city center
"Cities are responsible for more than 70 percent of CO2 emissions, and that's why they are the first places where we need to intervene with profound changes," is how Stefano Boeri explains his mission.
And in this scenario, green plays an important role - and not just on buildings.
Stefano Boeri: "Plants and trees are the only way to absorb not only CO2 but also the other pollutants. We need to rewrite the future of cities."
The renowned architect is no utopian and has already shown with his realized buildings how urban greenery and architecture can be combined. Currently, his office is working on buildings in China, Mexico and Belgium.
In addition to the greening of cities, urban mobility will also have to reorganize itself. For Fiat, the new electric 500 plays a significant role in this.
Electric cars should not be more expensive than combustion engines
Fiat CEO Olivier François: "We deliberately decided to develop the new 500 as an electric car even before the Corona pandemic. After all, we could sell significantly more of an internal combustion model. Just as in the 1950s when the first 500 ushered in mass mobility in Italy, we now see our task as bringing electric cars to market that are no more expensive than vehicles with combustion engines."
Hydrogen drive coming for light commercial vehicles
However, that will still take time. But between the years 2025 and 2030, the Fiat range will gradually become purely electric. Hydrogen drive will also play a role in this.
Olivier François: "First we will use the fuel cell in light commercial vehicles, and later, perhaps in ten years, passenger cars can follow. This is a radical change for Fiat."
28,000 plants and trees for the Pista Cinquecento
Boeri's idea of green cities will soon also become reality on the roof of the Lingotto factory in Turin, where automobiles were manufactured until the 1970s.
Stefano Boeri: "We have diverted funds from the marketing budget and will plant 28,000 plants and trees on the former test track on the roof. In September, the Pista Cinquecento will be inaugurated."
