PADUS, Municipality of Padua

Urban Planning

2024

Client
Size
Area
Client type
APS Holding, Municipality of Padua
Entire urban area
Placemaking
Public
Description
‍
Flow analysis, Preliminary design, Creative direction, Architectural design, Urban planning, Concept design, Street furniture design, Brand identity study, Installation planning
Street furniture
Project management
City planning
Administrative management
Systems for banks, hotels and government facilities

Between greenery and technology

An innovative project that transforms Padua into a sustainable digital ecosystem, through the integration of smart street furniture, nature and digital advertising installations.

The PADUS project represents an innovative transformation of urban space, blending nature and technology to make the city more connected and liveable. The idea stems from the desire to enhance Padua's historical heritage through a street furniture system able to integrate harmoniously with the existing context.

At the heart of the project is the Digital Planter Circuit [1], a network of green installations that combines contemporary design with urban functionality. These modular structures, inspired by the geometry of the Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden), house plants selected for their ability to improve air quality and enrich the cityscape. Each planter is fitted with digital and analogue screens [2], designed to communicate real-time information and offer innovative advertising opportunities without altering the aesthetics of the place, alongside institutional messages and cultural events. These elements are integrated with an urban greenery plan, which introduces new tree species and a system for managing plant life according to the seasons.

PADUS is also a model of sustainability and inclusion: an ecosystem of active public spaces, where technology does not intrude but enriches the city experience, fostering community participation and engagement.

Project highlights

[1] The Digital Planter Circuit

The planters are not simply decorative elements, but genuine “green showcases” housing a curated collection of plant species. Each module is designed to change appearance with the seasons, transforming the city into an open-air natural history museum.

[2] The screens

The use of low-energy displays and advanced technologies ensures a reduction in environmental impact, in line with the project's green vision.