THE VITAL ROLE OF URBAN FORESTS IN MITIGAGING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE. THE CARABINIERI PROMOTES THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE “THE FOREST CITY”. IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND VARIOUS STUDY BODIES, SCHEDULED IN ROME ON 29 AND 30 MAY 2024 AT THE AUDITORIUM OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY
Addressing the impacts of climate change
One of the central themes of the conference will be the impact of global warming on cities and the key role that urban forestation and peri-urban can play a role in mitigating it.
Experts will present the most recent evidence and estimates on the effects of climate change on urban areas, highlighting how forests can act as a mitigation and adaptation tool, with related beneficial effects for the health and quality of life of citizens.
Scientific approach and citizen awareness
Another interesting point of the meeting will be the adoption of an interdisciplinary scientific approach to urban and peri-urban forestation. This means that planning and urban forest management they will be based on knowledge from different scientific disciplines, such as ecology, biology, environmental sciences and urban planning. The objective is to create an integrated working method based on scientific evidence.
A key element of this approach is consistency with potential vegetation, that is, the type of vegetation that would grow spontaneously in a given place without human intervention. Consequently, they will be used exclusively native tree and shrub speciesthat is, local, which are better adapted to local conditions, require fewer resources for maintenance, better support local biodiversity and are less susceptible to diseases and parasites than exotic species.
They will also be presented strategy to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of urban forests, the benefits they offer and good management practices. Participatory processes will include public meetings, consultations and working groups, which allow the local community to have an active role in decisions relating to the management of the urban green.
Dal “green furniture” to urban ecology
The main objective of the conference is promote change of paradigm, that is, of the way in which urban forests are perceived and integrated into cities. That is, the aim is to move from the traditional approach of considering urban greenery as simple “aesthetic furniture”to see it as an essential component ofurban ecology.
This new approach not only promotes the respect of trees and the conservation of the extra-urban forest heritage, but also favors the “outodoor education” and the protection of biodiversity.
Virtuous examples of regeneration
During the meeting, positive examples of cities, both local and international, which have undertaken innovative rethinking and rethinking projects will be presented redesign of the urban environment.
These projects were created for fight the effects of climate change e improve the quality of life of citizens. As for strategies, these include planting new trees, creating community parks and gardens, implementing green roofs and other green infrastructure.
The objective of these interventions is to mitigate the high temperatures typical of urban environments, improve air quality, increase biodiversity and offer recreational spaces to citizens.
A topic of particular relevance given that, in 2021, only 27% of cities with more than 500 thousand inhabitants in the world could be considered moderately green.
The PNRR’s commitment to urban forestation
A particular focus will be dedicated to the results of the Measurement of the PNRR on the investment 3.1 which concerns urban, peri-urban and extra-urban forestation in the Metropolitan Cities of Italy. The investment promoted and implemented a new reforestation model based on the diversity of tree and shrub species, using exclusively native plants and in harmony with the potential vegetation of the area.
An approach that not only contributes to preserving biodiversity and maintaining theecological balancebut also ensures that new forests are more resilient and sustainable.
Conference agenda: insights and debates
The conference proceedings will follow an ideal path through four symposia and two round tables. Each session will focus on specific themes, from the strategic importance of urban forests in policies to global urban development to the thousand-year history of the relationship between man and forest, up to the identification of the most effective strategies to support urban forests.
Symposium themes
The first symposium will focus on strategic value of urban and peri-urban forestation in urban development policies at a global level, highlighting the need to adopt a new scientific and interdisciplinary approach to avoid the mistakes of the past.
The second symposium will examine the most recent evidence and estimates onimpact that global warming will have on cities in the coming decades. Starting from these data, we will discuss the benefits of urban and peri-urban forestation not only to mitigate the effects of climate change, but also to improve the psychophysical well-being of the inhabitants. This includes reducing urban temperatures, improving air quality and creating recreational and relaxing spaces for the population.
Followed by a debate through a round table entitled “From the PNRR to the national network of urban forests”. During this session, we will discuss the National Urban Green Strategy of 2018which outlined guidelines and directions for increase urban green surfaces. A key point will be the creation of “islands of naturalness”, green spaces within cities that promote biodiversity and offer ecological and social benefits.
Strategies, history and collaborations for resilient cities
The session “Trees, forests and cities: a thousand-year history” opens the second day of the conference, examining the development of relationship between man and forest.
The goal is to focus attention on the role of urban forests in the construction of resilient cities. This historical insight will serve to better understand how urban forests can contribute to the sustainability and resilience of modern cities.
The third symposium will focus on innovative techniques for the creation of urban forests, distinguishing them from traditional reforestation activities and the simple planting of public trees. Specific methods will be presented that allow the creation of effective urban forests, which not only beautify cities but also improve their environmental sustainability.
The fourth symposium will shift attention to the identification of more effective strategies to support urban forests. This will be done through a discussion with non-governmental, social and business organizations, trying to identify collaborations and initiatives that can strengthen the management and protection of urban green areas.
Then a round table discusses the topic “Sowing knowledge and awareness together. Urban forests regenerated space”. The debate offers reflections on how to promote respect for trees, sustainable use of urban forest resources, environmental education and protection of biodiversity. It will be an opportunity to discuss how to raise community awareness of the importance of urban forests.
Thematic exhibitions
The event will also offer the opportunity to visit some thematic exhibitions. Among these, one that arrives in Rome after being exhibited at the United Nations Building in New York.
Made byCarabinierithe exhibition focuses on the commitment of Forestry police in the protection and conservation of biodiversity in Italy.
Furthermore, the exhibition “Green cities” will explore the relationship between trees and the city through the eyes of four photographers: Roberto Besana (Man, the environment and the tree), Fulvio Bortolozzo (The tree and the city), Luca Chistè (Trees in the city) e Luca Massari (The city parks).