Italian Urban Greening Debate: Selective Environmentalism in Historic Piazzas
In an opinion article for Artribune, editor Massimiliano Tonelli takes aim at the selective nature of environmental activism in Italy. He points out that while citizens advocate for trees in pedestrian-friendly historic squares, they overlook the prevalence of cars in other areas. Tonelli highlights the disproportionate focus on greenery in Milan's Piazza Cordusio, juxtaposed with the acceptance of illegal parking near Piazza degli Affari. He argues that historic sites like Siena's Piazza del Campo and Venice's Piazza San Marco should remain accessible, promoting urban reforestation in car-heavy regions. Citing Paris's impressive 213,000 tree plantings since 2014, he also mentions Italy's projected motorization rate of 709 cars per 1,000 inhabitants by 2025, criticizing selective protests and calling for sustainable voices to guide urban greenery policies.
Key facts
- Massimiliano Tonelli criticizes selective environmentalism in Italian urban planning.
- Piazza Cordusio in Milan saw protests over lack of greenery after pedestrianization.
- Piazza degli Affari, with Cattelan's L.O.V.E., is used for illegal parking without protests.
- Historic piazzas like Piazza del Campo, Piazza San Pietro, and Piazza della Signoria should remain without forced vegetation.
- Paris has planted 213,000 trees since 2014 and reduced car traffic.
- Italy has 709 cars per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025, highest in EU.
- Soprintendenza denied tree planting at Piazza San Babila and Piazza Cordusio due to infrastructure.
- Rome's Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza dei Cinquecento projects were disowned by architects.
- Tonelli proposes that only car-free individuals should comment on urban greenery.
- Article published on Artribune in August 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Massimiliano Tonelli
Institutions
- Artribune
- Soprintendenza
- Borsa Italiana
- Palazzo Mezzanotte
Locations
- Milan
- Italy
- Piazza Cordusio
- Piazza degli Affari
- Piazza San Babila
- Piazza del Campo
- Siena
- Piazza San Pietro
- Vatican City
- Piazza della Signoria
- Florence
- Piazza del Plebiscito
- Naples
- Piazza San Marco
- Venice
- Rome
- Piazza Risorgimento
- Piazza dei Cinquecento
- San Giovanni in Laterano
- Via Emanuele Filiberto
- Turin
- Via Roma
- Paris
- France
- Hôtel de Ville
- Piazza della Rotonda
- Pantheon
- Cassino