Here are some focuses on the document presented by Palermo FC and Populous to the Municipality
As announced in recent days, the question “Renzo Barbera” Stadium comes to life, with the Feasibility document of project alternatives (DocFAP) presented by the President of the City Council, Giulio Tantillo, to the group leaders.
From the in-depth dossier presented by the Viale del Fante Club and drawn up by the architecture studio Populousspecialized in the design of sports facilities, numerous and interesting key points emerge, of which below we will examine only a series of them, more closely linked to the strictly sporting life of the facility. A small part of the complex and visionary idea of what the “Renzo Barbera” of the future will be, in view of the candidacy for Euro 2032.
There are 4 project proposals included in the document presented to the Municipality of Palermo. Come first alternativethe intervention is limited to only the necessary functional and structural adjustments; the second option would be to limit interventions to the maximum security area, with the strictly necessary functional and structural adjustments. The two alternatives that Populous itself identifies as viable are more detailed and substantial, but with substantial differences.
Both take into account the large green area surrounding the Viale del Fante plant, strategically aiming for sustainability. Generally speaking, both project proposals (3 e 4) aim at the development of a new urban centrality as a sporting, cultural, educational and aggregative area.
The No.3 alternative No.3 envisages a larger overall intervention which would involve, in addition to the current system, the construction of a new “home” for the Rosanero team in the adjacent area, which currently corresponds to the Hippodromewith a substantial redevelopment of all the surrounding elements and spaces. This proposal is not totally discarded, but currently difficult to implement, since the racecourse does not fall within the areas within the Concession signed between Palermo F.C. and Municipality. However, DocFap indicates that this phase could be equally viable at a later time.
The highlight of the project presentation concerns the No.4 alternative. This, according to the indications in the document, would be the most viable path in relation to the needs in view of Euro 2032, i.e. the total “Redevelopment of the entire Stadium area”.
One of the central objectives of the project proposals is to transform the stadium area into an active and usable place for the community throughout the year, going beyond the use limited only to match days. From this perspective, the desire is to use the areas intended for the public in a flexible way, so that they can accommodate diversified activities and adapt to the needs of citizens, guaranteeing continuity of use and a constant presence of social, sporting and recreational functions.
As widely indicated within the document, all four alternatives present a critical issues relating to mobility and parkinga point on which the entire document dedicates ample space to mobility strategies: railway ring, new tram lines, improvement of bus routes. Pluses that would enhance the excellent strategic location of the “Renzo Barbera” Stadium, also recognized by Studio Populous, which is why it was always thought to keep the sports facility in the same area on which it already stands.
Particular attention will be paid to the project facadewhich has its origins in 1932 (when the facility was called “Stadio Littorio”) and the much discussed landscape restriction linked to Monte Pellegrino.
The project proposal has a forecast of approximately 40,000 places. A totally covered system whose works will be developed in different steps on each sector of the Stadium. This would lead to a reduction in capacity during the execution of works and ongoing competitive activities. The look of the new Stadium will be inspired by the colors of the city and the iconic Arab-Norman architectural languages.
The timing relating to the works ranges from a construction activity scheduled between 15/05/2026 and 11/06/2026, and the delivery of the Stadium scheduled for approximately 1 July 2031.
In addition to the architectural and sporting aspect, the 167 page document illustrates and explores other key aspects: environmental sustainability, social inclusion, water management strategies as well as mobility, and the design of a maximum security area, inspired by other models such asAllianz Field Minnesota MLS and the Fulham FC Riverside Stand.
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