The first prize goes to two high school students enrolled at the “Tonino Guerra” Institute in Pennabilli
There is a water management system that would allow its reuse during periods of drought while also producing electricity in a sustainable manner, which is the basis of the proposal that won the third edition of the ideas competition “Design your territory of the future”, curated by the University of the Republic of San Marino and aimed at students of the High Schools of the Titano and Italian schools.
The idea put forward by Pietro Paolini and Matteo Rossi, students in class 5E of the “Tonino Guerra” Institute in Pennabilli, is a widespread water reserve network that includes large-capacity underground tanks located under parks, squares and parking lots, into which rainwater from the roofs of public buildings, streets and more would flow, to then be used for non-potable purposes such as irrigating lawns and flower beds, as well as to support agricultural activities. Also planned to increase the positive impact of the project, calibrated to be applied to the reality of San Marino and its territory, is the presence of special valves capable of generating electricity thanks to the movement present in the pipes between the tanks and the points of use. Each could produce an amount similar to the needs of around 20 families each year, in addition to providing a service capable of monitoring leaks from the aqueduct, leading to efficient management.
In the context of the competition, organized by the degree courses in Civil Engineering and Construction and Land Management, second place went to a detailed plan that encourages the use on the Titan of a special asphalt made by recycling used tires, often destined for incinerators, where they contribute to air pollution. The third place instead concerns the "eco-islands" located in three parks of San Marino, in Dogana, Serravalle and Montegiardino. Also in this case responsible for managing rainwater through appropriate collection, they would revolutionize the areas in which they are located together with the presence of street lamps, fountains, USB charging systems and wi-fi powered by solar panels, as well as interactive educational games to involve and raise awareness in the community regarding the care of the planet.
Finally, a special mention goes to a paper that proposes a network of electric shuttles for citizens and tourists to book through an app installed on their cell phones, bus shelters with services powered by solar energy, and streets equipped with LED lighting with motion sensors, which activates based on traffic.
"The initiative - explained professor Belen Giacomone on the sidelines of the award ceremony, which took place yesterday at the university headquarters in Dogana - aims to raise awareness among young people about environmental issues and stimulate their ability to design and innovate. The ideas expressed, coming from young people who have yet to undertake a possible university course, have encouraged the development of an engineering mentality with which to evaluate the problems from a practical and concrete perspective. Through the study of innovative solutions, in fact, the participants have put themselves on the line by evaluating aspects such as costs, benefits, feasibility and impact on the territory. Finally, among our goals, that of leading them to reflect critically on environmental issues, promoting a sense of responsibility towards the territories they frequent and the planet".
The results of the competition involved the judgment of a commission which included, in addition to representatives of the University, the Secretariat of State for Education and Culture, the Secretariat of State for the Territory, the San Marino Secondary School, the Autonomous State Company for Public Works, the Office of Territorial Planning and Construction, and the Order of Engineers and Architects of San Marino.
