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      THE RESEARCH

      Goals and strategies

      Urban forestry in the world

      In recent years, governments and communities have become increasingly aware of the urgency to implement effective policies and actions to counter the trend of climate change and its devastating effects.

      Forestami has mapped and established communication channels with major international networks and organizations that promote sustainable transitions through nature-based solutions. These include: C40, Resilient Cities Network, World Mayor Council on Climate Change, Sustainable Cities Network, FAO, ICLEI, Global Platforms, and Sustainable Cities.

      The most effective actions to slow global warming, reduce energy consumption, and clean the air we breathe

      Increase natural
      capital

      Plant new
      trees

      Create
      forests

      Multiply the number of trees along the streets

      Collaboration with these networks facilitates mutual exchange and support, leverages cutting-edge knowledge and tools, and recognizes urban forestry as a strategically essential solution—positioning the Forestami project on an international scale.

      The case studies presented in the research offer valuable contributions for the implementation of green policies and best practices aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change in urban environments, helping to make territories more resilient.

       

      Forestami urban forestry strategies

      Thanks to the mapping carried out, the research identified the most suitable forestry strategies to address the specific needs of the territory. The scenarios envisioned for Milan in 2030 were developed based on the categories of urban and peri-urban forestry defined by the FAO:

      1.

      Create a green infrastructure in the metropolitan city through a network of green and blue corridors to connect parks, forests, agriculture, and green architecture

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      2.

      Improve and expand green areas in public parks

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      3.

      Promote coordination on rewilding and landscape enhancement projects

       

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      4.

      Increase green and permeable areas by reducing surface parking spaces

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      5.

      Strengthen urban and peri-urban agriculture and promote the creation of urban gardens

       

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      6.

      Promote compensation policies related to land consumption and environmentally impactful projects

       

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      7.

      Promote the transformation of school, university, and hospital courtyards into green oases

       

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      8.

      Promote the transformation of courtyards, private gardens, and urban voids into green oases

       

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      9.

      Promote the demineralization of paved surfaces and introduce nature-based solutions within commercial and industrial areas

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      10.

      Increase green roof area

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      11.

      Reclaim contaminated and abandoned soils through phytoremediation using trees and shrubs

       

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      With a focus on the principles of accessibility and inclusiveness in urban forests, Forestami works to provide local administrations with the tools needed to transform the territory—engaging citizens, communities, local networks, and environmental organizations. It also aims to raise awareness about the importance of natural capital through education, dissemination, and training activities, with programs and events held throughout the metropolitan area and in planting zones.

      Working areas and strategic challenges

      Planting trees in urban and peri-urban areas is a challenge that involves multiple layers of complexity:

      1.

      Trees need space: the space allocated to trees is often contested by multiple urban functions. Creating space for trees means envisioning an urban landscape where vegetation is not limited to specific areas, but becomes an integral and structural part of the urban environment.

      2.

      Trees need time: alongside the word time, we must also consider care, patience, maintenance, and sometimes restoration—when, despite every effort, young trees fail to take root and need to be replaced.

      3.

      Trees are living beings: even when we find the space and funding needed to ensure their planting and growth, there is often a degree of concern surrounding them. Trees and branches can fall, leaves may litter the ground or clog gutters and drains, roots can sometimes lift pavements and create obstacles for pedestrians, and the surrounding unpaved areas can become muddy.

      Urban green infrastructure provides a wide range of environmental, socio-cultural, economic, and health-related benefits, all documented in scientific literature. The Forestami research has gathered and highlighted these benefits:

      CO2 absorption and storage

      Removal of air pollutants and fine particulate matter

      Soil contaminant absorption through phytoremediation processes

      Stormwater moderation

      Temperature regulation and mitigation of the urban heat island effect

      Mitigation of urban noise pollution

      Improvement of the urban landscape

      Conservation and enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity

      Provision of food in the form of nuts, fruits, edible leaves, and timber

      Reduction in crime rates in areas with high tree canopy cover

      Increase in social cohesion and stronger community ties

      Improvement of physical and mental health, including reduced blood pressure and stress

      Lower mortality rates due to heatwaves

      Reduction in cardiopulmonary diseases and fewer respiratory problems

      Decrease in lung cancer cases

      Reduction in overweight and obesity rates

      Reduction of mental diseases

      FORESTAMI QUALITY STANDARDS

      To maximize these multiple benefits, Forestami designs its projects through dialogue with ecologists, landscape architects, agronomists, foresters, urban planners, sociologists, soil scientists, and engineers.

      Candidate areas for afforestation interventions are thoroughly studied to ensure that “the right tree is planted in the right place”, meaning the most suitable species and planting scheme are selected for each specific context.