Continuous environmental monitoring in Cortina d’Ampezzo to support sustainable Olympic infrastructure
In preparation for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, environmental sustainability and transparency are playing a central role in the development of new infrastructure. As part of this effort, SIMICO, the public company responsible for the delivery and coordination of strategic works linked to the Games, deployed five Bettair air quality monitoring nodes in Cortina d’Ampezzo to ensure continuous environmental oversight during construction activities.
Monitoring air quality before, during, and after construction
Construction sites associated with large international events inevitably raise concerns around their environmental impact—particularly in sensitive alpine environments such as Cortina d’Ampezzo. SIMICO’s objective was clear: to measure air quality conditions before the start of works and track any changes throughout the construction phase, ensuring that impacts remain under control and fully documented.
To meet this need, five Bettair nodes were selected for their ability to deliver continuous, real-time air quality data, enabling a data-driven assessment of environmental conditions both prior to and following construction activities. This approach allows SIMICO to establish a reliable baseline and compare it with measurements collected during and after the works.
From construction monitoring to live event environmental control
Beyond the construction phase, SIMICO has continued to leverage the Bettair nodes to monitor air quality and ambient noise levels during the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The Games have brought a significant increase in athletes, staff, spectators, and vehicle traffic into the city, making real-time environmental oversight even more critical.
Although Cortina d’Ampezzo is internationally renowned and accustomed to high levels of tourism in both winter and summer—thanks to its strategic location in the heart of the Dolomitic Alps—it remains a small mountain town with a population of approximately 5,000 residents. During a global event such as the Olympic Games, the temporary surge in population density can place additional pressure on local infrastructure and environmental conditions.
In this context, continuous monitoring of air quality and environmental noise becomes particularly important. The Bettair network enables authorities to:
- Track variations linked to increased traffic and mobility
- Monitor potential short-term pollution peaks
- Assess environmental performance during high-density periods
- Provide transparent data to institutions and the public
By extending the use of the nodes beyond the construction stage, SIMICO has transformed the monitoring system into a comprehensive environmental management tool—supporting not only responsible infrastructure development, but also sustainable event operations during the Olympic Games themselves.
Bettair nodes: a smart solution for complex environments
The five Bettair nodes installed in Cortina d’Ampezzo are designed for continuous outdoor monitoring, making them particularly suitable for challenging mountain environments. Their compact design and low-maintenance operation allow for flexible deployment across construction areas without disrupting site activities.
Each of the five nodes, powered by a solar panel, continuously collects the concentrations of the following air quality parameters: NO2, NO, O3, CO, SO2, VOC, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, as well as ambient noise , temperature and humidity.
By operating around the clock, the Bettair network ensures that no critical variations go unnoticed, providing SIMICO with a robust and transparent monitoring system.
Supporting sustainability goals of Milano–Cortina 2026
The Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics place strong emphasis on sustainability, environmental protection, and responsible infrastructure development. The deployment of Bettair nodes aligns closely with these values by introducing measurable, verifiable environmental indicators into the construction process.
Continuous air quality monitoring not only supports compliance with environmental regulations, but also reinforces public trust by demonstrating that environmental impacts are being actively measured and managed. In a high-visibility context such as the Olympic Games, this level of accountability is essential.
A data-driven approach to environmental responsibility
Through the installation of five Bettair nodes in Cortina d’Ampezzo, SIMICO has adopted a proactive, data-driven approach to environmental monitoring. Rather than relying solely on periodic measurements, the system provides a continuous stream of information that can be used to assess trends over time and support informed decision-making.
As preparations for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games continue, initiatives like this demonstrate how advanced monitoring technologies can play a key role in balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection—especially in unique and delicate natural settings.
The Bettair deployment in Cortina d’Ampezzo represents a concrete example of how smart environmental monitoring can support sustainable construction practices in the context of major international events.