Urban Greenery Strategies to Combat Heat Islands in Cities
Urban heat islands, a phenomenon where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, are being addressed through vegetation-based strategies. Factors like reduced green spaces and built-up surfaces contribute to this effect, with mitigation efforts focusing on shading and evapotranspiration from trees. In Italy, initiatives such as Forestami in Milan, aiming to plant 3 million trees by 2030, and Prato's Urban Jungle project, which redevelops districts with high-density greenery, are funded by government and European programs. These efforts aim to lower temperatures, absorb pollutants, and enhance urban livability in response to climate change.
Key facts
- Urban heat islands result from heat buildup in cities compared to rural areas, influenced by factors like reduced vegetation and building materials.
- Vegetation mitigates heat through shading and evapotranspiration, processes that lower surface temperatures and improve environmental comfort.
- In Italy, the Forestami project plans to plant 3 million trees in Milan's metropolitan area by 2030, with over 610,000 trees planted as of April 2024.
- Prato's Urban Jungle project focuses on redeveloping four districts with dense greenery to combat pollution and social issues, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
- The Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition allocated 15 million euros in 2021 to support 34 urban forestation projects across cities including Rome, Naples, and Florence.
Entities
Institutions
- Politecnico di Milano
- Fondazione Falck
- FS Sistemi Urbani
- Studio Stefano Boeri Architetti
- SNPA - Sistema Nazionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente
Locations
- Milan
- Prato
- Italy
- Paris
- Graz