Living Planet | 06.11.2009 | 05:30

Italy houses earthquake victims in eco-friendly apartment blocks

A man sits and reads outside a blue tent

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Many people have been living in tents since the earthquake

Rome has erected eco-friendly, earthquake-proof apartments for the citizens of Abruzzo. But is it a housing solution, an environmental solution or just an eyesore?

More than six months after a devastating earthquake hit Italy's central Abruzzo region residents are slowly being moved out of tent villages and into new homes. One positive initiative to emerge from the rubble is the creation of the largest photovoltaic village in Europe with some 35,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels being placed on the roofs of earthquake proof apartment blocks. Every week Italian authorities hand over 300 new apartments. By the end of January, 16,000 people will be calling these low-energy structures home. But not everyone is pleased to see them go up.

Report: Stephanie Raison

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