Smooth Operator: Guided Trolleybuses Debut in Bologna, Italy

<!--break--> A new trolleybus corridor in Bologna, Italy tests new guide technology. Image from Roberto Amori on YouTube. Guidance improves the performance and reliability of a bus or trolleybus corridor, allowing for fairly smooth approach to the bus stops or stations, with very small gaps between the platforms and the bus floor.... [read more]

Watershed Down

<!--break--> [Image: Mike Bouchet's Watershed being towed through Venice towards the Arsenale basin, against a backdrop of Italian palazzi].Note: This is a guest post by Nicola Twilley.The 2009 Venice Biennale opened this week with an unexpected and quite beautiful piece of performance art. Artist Mike Bouchet had built a one-to-one... [read more]

Environment Park's Green Roofs in Turin, Italy

<!--break--> Italy has discovered the benefits of green roofs too! The Environment Park, in Turin, is a sprawling complex with green roofs on most buildings.From Energy Planning Knowledge Base:"The idea which comes from is the construction of a united landscape able to link river, garden and Technological Park in a system of land... [read more]

GIBELLINA

<!--break--> In 1968, the small town of Gibellina, Sicily was completely destroyed by an earthquake. And only a few years later rebuilt close to the original site. The erection of the new Gibellina was supported by a unique vision: against traditional forces of bureaucracy, corrupt politics and Sicilian mafia. Artists were invited to... [read more]