Forestami
Basic information
Project Title
Forestami
Category
Reconnecting with nature
Project Description
Forestami aims at enhancing the Natural Capital of the Milan Metropolitan area by planting 3 million new trees by 2030. The project develops local processes throughout the territory involving institutions, administrations with the goal of finding new areas for hosting new trees and shrubs, for taking care of them and activating local communities around specific urban forestry projects. Furthermore, Forestami promotes cultural dissemination initiatives to spread awareness and knowledge.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Metropolitan area of Milan, Italy
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
AIM: The project aims at increasing the tree canopy cover of the metropolitan area of Milan from 16% to 21% by planting 3 million trees by 2030
TARGET: The target groups and stakeholders of the project are various as the different actions and layers of intervention: public institutions, local administrations, private companies, social cooperatives, civil society organizations are strongly involved in the project as well as citizens that are engaged in Forestami through open and free public initiatives
Forestami has put together a network of Partners supporting the project: Comune di Milano, Città Metropolitana, Parco Nord Milano, Parco Agricolo Sud Milano, Fondazione di Comunità, Politecnico di Milano.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: Forestami is a strategic urban forestry project involving the entire metropolitan area of Milan (133 Municipalities), one of the most densely populated areas in Europe.
The aim of Forestami is to plant 3 million trees by 2030, one for each citizen of the metropolitan area of Milan, to increase the natural capital of the city, to promote green infrastructures, ecological connectivity and related ecosystem services, to improve public health, to increase the area of urban and suburban permeable surfaces and to protect and enhance biodiversity, increasing tree canopy cover by 5% by 2030.
Forestami is also represented by an academic research project by Politecnico di Milano which identifies new areas in the metropolitan area of Milan available and suitable for planting, and subsequently develops and implements a database of potential sites for future tree plantings.
Forestami promotes a large public program with the desire to engage and share knowledge with a growing number of citizens. Bridging the gap in knowledge on how the presence of trees positively affects our daily urban lives. Scuola Forestami, Forestami Academy and Custodiscimi are among many engagement and cultural initiatives involving citizens at different levels.
TARGET: The target groups and stakeholders of the project are various as the different actions and layers of intervention: public institutions, local administrations, private companies, social cooperatives, civil society organizations are strongly involved in the project as well as citizens that are engaged in Forestami through open and free public initiatives
Forestami has put together a network of Partners supporting the project: Comune di Milano, Città Metropolitana, Parco Nord Milano, Parco Agricolo Sud Milano, Fondazione di Comunità, Politecnico di Milano.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: Forestami is a strategic urban forestry project involving the entire metropolitan area of Milan (133 Municipalities), one of the most densely populated areas in Europe.
The aim of Forestami is to plant 3 million trees by 2030, one for each citizen of the metropolitan area of Milan, to increase the natural capital of the city, to promote green infrastructures, ecological connectivity and related ecosystem services, to improve public health, to increase the area of urban and suburban permeable surfaces and to protect and enhance biodiversity, increasing tree canopy cover by 5% by 2030.
Forestami is also represented by an academic research project by Politecnico di Milano which identifies new areas in the metropolitan area of Milan available and suitable for planting, and subsequently develops and implements a database of potential sites for future tree plantings.
Forestami promotes a large public program with the desire to engage and share knowledge with a growing number of citizens. Bridging the gap in knowledge on how the presence of trees positively affects our daily urban lives. Scuola Forestami, Forestami Academy and Custodiscimi are among many engagement and cultural initiatives involving citizens at different levels.
Key objectives for sustainability
Forestami aims at planting 3 million trees and shrubs by 2030 in the Metropolitan area of Milan, a highly urbanized area which presents numerous critical issues in terms of air quality, poor quality of soils, and low tree canopy cover.
Starting from urban and peri-urban forestation categories identified by FAO different strategies and evaluations have been pointed out by the Forestami project: create a green infrastructure in the metropolitan area of Milan by creating a network of green and blue corridors to connect parks, forests, agriculture and green architecture; create and improve green systems in public parks; increase green and permeable areas; promote the transformation of school, and hospital courtyards into green oases; promote the de-mineralisation of paved surfaces and introduce Nature Based Solutions into commercial and industrial areas; increase the surface area of green rooftops; reclaim abandoned and polluted soil through phytoremediation with trees and shrubs.
Referring to above mentioned goals Forestami project aims to increase the 5% of tree canopy cover in the metropolitan area of Milan, now estimated at 16% of the total surface area.
These objectives will be met thought a large-scale strategy of the whole metropolitan area of Milan and analyzing the different possibilities for each municipality according to the context and the local realities. 42 tree plantings have already been carried out in different contexts and many others are underway. About 45,000 trees have been planted, equal to about 20 ha of new forests, contributing to the creation of new green infrastructures.
62 Municipality have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Forestami and 8 more are underway; this allows Forestami to open up collaboration with municipalities on sustainable development by creating green systems that allow better quality of public spaces for the citizens and for enhancement of biodiversity.
Starting from urban and peri-urban forestation categories identified by FAO different strategies and evaluations have been pointed out by the Forestami project: create a green infrastructure in the metropolitan area of Milan by creating a network of green and blue corridors to connect parks, forests, agriculture and green architecture; create and improve green systems in public parks; increase green and permeable areas; promote the transformation of school, and hospital courtyards into green oases; promote the de-mineralisation of paved surfaces and introduce Nature Based Solutions into commercial and industrial areas; increase the surface area of green rooftops; reclaim abandoned and polluted soil through phytoremediation with trees and shrubs.
Referring to above mentioned goals Forestami project aims to increase the 5% of tree canopy cover in the metropolitan area of Milan, now estimated at 16% of the total surface area.
These objectives will be met thought a large-scale strategy of the whole metropolitan area of Milan and analyzing the different possibilities for each municipality according to the context and the local realities. 42 tree plantings have already been carried out in different contexts and many others are underway. About 45,000 trees have been planted, equal to about 20 ha of new forests, contributing to the creation of new green infrastructures.
62 Municipality have already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Forestami and 8 more are underway; this allows Forestami to open up collaboration with municipalities on sustainable development by creating green systems that allow better quality of public spaces for the citizens and for enhancement of biodiversity.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
Accessibility and inclusiveness of urban forests are among the principles guiding the whole initiative. Since the initial claim “Let's plant together 3 million trees by 2030 in the Metropolitan City of Milan”, Forestami has drawn the attention of the 3 million inhabitants of the entire metropolitan area. Everyone can contribute to this collective challenge with both resources and actions. To trigger this physical, environmental, and cultural change the project aims at imagining a new “ecological way” of thinking.
Forestami project develops local urban forestry interventions to improve the quality of the places we live in (places of living, places of working, places of leisure).
The development of education and cultural programs contributes to a qualitative experience for citizens as well as for other targets that are positively welcomed in taking part and moulding the project itself throughout a participatory approach. Forestami also wants to highlight local realities that already successfully transformed the territory in a green trajectory, the project therefore promotes a dimension of discover towards a large portion of citizens through the valorization of the territory, of the existing natural capital as well as existing good practices.
This also represents a great opportunity in adding an aesthetic and qualitative approach to the experience of all targets involved in the project.
Forestami project develops local urban forestry interventions to improve the quality of the places we live in (places of living, places of working, places of leisure).
The development of education and cultural programs contributes to a qualitative experience for citizens as well as for other targets that are positively welcomed in taking part and moulding the project itself throughout a participatory approach. Forestami also wants to highlight local realities that already successfully transformed the territory in a green trajectory, the project therefore promotes a dimension of discover towards a large portion of citizens through the valorization of the territory, of the existing natural capital as well as existing good practices.
This also represents a great opportunity in adding an aesthetic and qualitative approach to the experience of all targets involved in the project.
Key objectives for inclusion
Forestami believes that forests take on this value when nature is reconsidered as a fundamental element in people's minds and, from a spatial point of view, in the public and collective structure of our cities and landscape.
The Forestami team of research has built a map that shows the accessibility of urban open spaces that contribute to people's well-being which becomes the starting point for green areas implementation and citizen involvement activities.
In terms of affordability of the project for public institutions, Forestami acts as a collector of funds, both through crowdfunding and fundraising strategy addressed to private companies. The funds that are collected are re-invested in tree plantings and forestry projects. This strategy allows public local administrations to have access to a full economic support by Forestami towards the total achievement of each single planting project through different stages: from plants and trees provision to plantation and maintenance for five years.
In terms of affordability for citizens, all education and cultural programmes, initiatives and workshops are for free, the idea is that working in a wide and strong network of partners and stakholders with different roles generates a large cooperation on free programmes for all.
The Forestami team of research has built a map that shows the accessibility of urban open spaces that contribute to people's well-being which becomes the starting point for green areas implementation and citizen involvement activities.
In terms of affordability of the project for public institutions, Forestami acts as a collector of funds, both through crowdfunding and fundraising strategy addressed to private companies. The funds that are collected are re-invested in tree plantings and forestry projects. This strategy allows public local administrations to have access to a full economic support by Forestami towards the total achievement of each single planting project through different stages: from plants and trees provision to plantation and maintenance for five years.
In terms of affordability for citizens, all education and cultural programmes, initiatives and workshops are for free, the idea is that working in a wide and strong network of partners and stakholders with different roles generates a large cooperation on free programmes for all.
Results in relation to category
Since the beginning of the project Forestami has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 62 Municipalities, it is in the process of signing with other 8, while 27 have expressed interest in the project.
Forestami’s tree plantings are located both within urban and periurban contexts. The design themes generally concerned the implementation of parks and green areas, the redefinition of the edge between the urban settlement and the countryside, the redevelopment of industrial environments, the strengthening of slow mobility routes, the redevelopment of agricultural landscape and the mitigation of infrastructures. Since spring 2021, through works coordinated by the Politecnico di Milano and the Technical Committee, and with the collaboration of social cooperatives, Forestami has achieved 42 plantation sites about 45,200 plants between trees and shrubs equal to about 20 ha of new forests in 24 municipalities.
In addition to the measures promoted and implemented by the Forestami fund, a fundamental component of the research work is to collect data on the planting activities of public entities and other local organisations. Until the end of the 2021-22 agronomic season 427.475 trees and shrubs have been planted. Furthermore, Forestami works in collaboration with other urban forestation projects involving the metropolitan area of Milan, creating territorial and strategic synergies.
Forestami is a project that above all needs a story that develops in a coherent way, involving all citizens in an active and participatory way, helping to root in them a solid environmental awareness. Every year Forestami project organizes a press conference to report the implementation status of the project. Since November 2019, 8 press conferences and 2 thematic Forum have been held. 9,500 students have been involved with Scuola Forestami, 400 nature lovers attended Forestami Academy and in two years 5,000 forest plants were delivered to people to take care and returned to be planted.
Forestami’s tree plantings are located both within urban and periurban contexts. The design themes generally concerned the implementation of parks and green areas, the redefinition of the edge between the urban settlement and the countryside, the redevelopment of industrial environments, the strengthening of slow mobility routes, the redevelopment of agricultural landscape and the mitigation of infrastructures. Since spring 2021, through works coordinated by the Politecnico di Milano and the Technical Committee, and with the collaboration of social cooperatives, Forestami has achieved 42 plantation sites about 45,200 plants between trees and shrubs equal to about 20 ha of new forests in 24 municipalities.
In addition to the measures promoted and implemented by the Forestami fund, a fundamental component of the research work is to collect data on the planting activities of public entities and other local organisations. Until the end of the 2021-22 agronomic season 427.475 trees and shrubs have been planted. Furthermore, Forestami works in collaboration with other urban forestation projects involving the metropolitan area of Milan, creating territorial and strategic synergies.
Forestami is a project that above all needs a story that develops in a coherent way, involving all citizens in an active and participatory way, helping to root in them a solid environmental awareness. Every year Forestami project organizes a press conference to report the implementation status of the project. Since November 2019, 8 press conferences and 2 thematic Forum have been held. 9,500 students have been involved with Scuola Forestami, 400 nature lovers attended Forestami Academy and in two years 5,000 forest plants were delivered to people to take care and returned to be planted.
How Citizens benefit
Communication strategies play a crucial role in the design of the project, in the storytelling as well as in the opportunity to amplify values, principles and objectives of the project towards different targets of society.
Forestami website, social media accounts and press office activities are at basis of its public storytelling, nourishing the project itself and keeping together all aspects of the project: the research, the territory work, stakeholders, the broader network at a national and international level, citizens. The constant effort to raise the public attention on such themes deploying the above mentioned tools supports and strengthen the positive reputation and relevance of Forestami at a local level integrated in a national and international scenario.
Public initiatives and events:
- Scuola Forestami (2021-2022) involving 9,500 students and 2,100 teachers and professors.
- Into the Forest Exhibition (2022) dedicated to children, more than 2,000 visitors
- Custodiscimi (2022 - 2023): 5,000 forestry plants are being “lended” to citizens with the agreement of giving back the healthy plants after 6 months and including them in the new urban forests created by Forestami. 9 city councils of Milan Municipality and 22 Munipalities in the metropolitan area.
- Thematic Forum for techical administrators: “The importance of urban forests for healthier cities “ 30 September 2022 and “The Drough Forum” 20 March 2023 both at Triennale Milano.
- Forestami Academy (2023-2025): three days meeting during the spring season: two days with round tables and international lecturers and one outdoor experience with walking lecture and interactive workshops on the field. Total of 400 participants in 2023.
- Custodi del verde workshops more than 10 practical and theoretical workshops between may and september 2023, total of 300 participants
- than 10 collective tree plantings per year since 2021
- 8 Press conferences since 2019.
And many others
Forestami website, social media accounts and press office activities are at basis of its public storytelling, nourishing the project itself and keeping together all aspects of the project: the research, the territory work, stakeholders, the broader network at a national and international level, citizens. The constant effort to raise the public attention on such themes deploying the above mentioned tools supports and strengthen the positive reputation and relevance of Forestami at a local level integrated in a national and international scenario.
Public initiatives and events:
- Scuola Forestami (2021-2022) involving 9,500 students and 2,100 teachers and professors.
- Into the Forest Exhibition (2022) dedicated to children, more than 2,000 visitors
- Custodiscimi (2022 - 2023): 5,000 forestry plants are being “lended” to citizens with the agreement of giving back the healthy plants after 6 months and including them in the new urban forests created by Forestami. 9 city councils of Milan Municipality and 22 Munipalities in the metropolitan area.
- Thematic Forum for techical administrators: “The importance of urban forests for healthier cities “ 30 September 2022 and “The Drough Forum” 20 March 2023 both at Triennale Milano.
- Forestami Academy (2023-2025): three days meeting during the spring season: two days with round tables and international lecturers and one outdoor experience with walking lecture and interactive workshops on the field. Total of 400 participants in 2023.
- Custodi del verde workshops more than 10 practical and theoretical workshops between may and september 2023, total of 300 participants
- than 10 collective tree plantings per year since 2021
- 8 Press conferences since 2019.
And many others
Physical or other transformations
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Innovative character
The innovative characters of the project are:
1) The project starts from a research that builds the territorial scenario of transformation of the territory at the metropolitan scale
2) This research is put into practice through planning thanks to the involvement of the municipalities, which make the areas available, and through local actors who plant trees and shrubs according to the study of the context.
3) For this reason, a territorial-scale database has been established and it has monitored plantations since 2018, building for the first time a shared archive of knowledge
4) Knowledge is not sectoral, but transdisciplinary, and the database allows us to include and expand knowledge from different disciplines which, through the spatialization of data, can also be visualized in a synthetic way
5) This knowledge is made available as much as possible to the general public, who is involved in dedicated scientific events and field activities.
The Forestami project is a territorial project that works at the metropolitan scale, defines a development vision of increasing natural capital over a large territory supported by a strong governance project which has allowed the establishment of a Fund managed by the Fondazione di Comunità Milano that collects private donations from citizens and companies.
Forestami Fund has defined its governance structure, divided into key areas of work and related responsibilities. It is composed of the Scientific Committee, the Project Manager, the Technical Committee, the Research Group of the Politecnico di Milano and the Communications and Marketing Group.
The project is implemented through tree plantings. To date, 42 interventions have been carried out in 24 Municipalities and about 45,200 plants between trees and shrubs have been planted.
1) The project starts from a research that builds the territorial scenario of transformation of the territory at the metropolitan scale
2) This research is put into practice through planning thanks to the involvement of the municipalities, which make the areas available, and through local actors who plant trees and shrubs according to the study of the context.
3) For this reason, a territorial-scale database has been established and it has monitored plantations since 2018, building for the first time a shared archive of knowledge
4) Knowledge is not sectoral, but transdisciplinary, and the database allows us to include and expand knowledge from different disciplines which, through the spatialization of data, can also be visualized in a synthetic way
5) This knowledge is made available as much as possible to the general public, who is involved in dedicated scientific events and field activities.
The Forestami project is a territorial project that works at the metropolitan scale, defines a development vision of increasing natural capital over a large territory supported by a strong governance project which has allowed the establishment of a Fund managed by the Fondazione di Comunità Milano that collects private donations from citizens and companies.
Forestami Fund has defined its governance structure, divided into key areas of work and related responsibilities. It is composed of the Scientific Committee, the Project Manager, the Technical Committee, the Research Group of the Politecnico di Milano and the Communications and Marketing Group.
The project is implemented through tree plantings. To date, 42 interventions have been carried out in 24 Municipalities and about 45,200 plants between trees and shrubs have been planted.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
The Forestami project is a multidisciplinary project that intersects agronomic, forestry and naturalistic skills with those of territorial design and planning at different scales.
Forestami works on different design focuses from urban space (roads, squares, parking lots, services, parks and urban green areas) to large open spaces (agricultural areas, natural areas, territorial parks). The different skills contribute to the development of a project capable of working on the themes of landscape, ecological environmental connections, biodiversity and urban transformations. The implementation of the project is also compared with the real feasibility of transforming the territory, involving local political administrators and technicians in the process.
Forestami has also the ability to intercept different realities in different knowledge fields. It participates and supports European projects choosing the areas in which to activate new projects, but also national public projects. To do this, it interfaces with various professional figures from different disciplines such as GIS experts for the construction of mapping and databases or sociologists for the creation of questionnaires on citizens' perception of greenery. At the same time Forestami works with students through university study courses at the Polytechnic of Milan on the topic of urban forestry both through theory and practice.
Another disciplinary sector is the Communication and Marketing unit that transforms technical research information in a more informative way to involve citizens and companies though website, social media and media relations. This unit creates also the marketing and communications plan and the fundraising strategy through donations and sponsorships.
Forestami works on different design focuses from urban space (roads, squares, parking lots, services, parks and urban green areas) to large open spaces (agricultural areas, natural areas, territorial parks). The different skills contribute to the development of a project capable of working on the themes of landscape, ecological environmental connections, biodiversity and urban transformations. The implementation of the project is also compared with the real feasibility of transforming the territory, involving local political administrators and technicians in the process.
Forestami has also the ability to intercept different realities in different knowledge fields. It participates and supports European projects choosing the areas in which to activate new projects, but also national public projects. To do this, it interfaces with various professional figures from different disciplines such as GIS experts for the construction of mapping and databases or sociologists for the creation of questionnaires on citizens' perception of greenery. At the same time Forestami works with students through university study courses at the Polytechnic of Milan on the topic of urban forestry both through theory and practice.
Another disciplinary sector is the Communication and Marketing unit that transforms technical research information in a more informative way to involve citizens and companies though website, social media and media relations. This unit creates also the marketing and communications plan and the fundraising strategy through donations and sponsorships.
Methodology used
To guide the development of the project’s focuses and the identification of the pilot projects, the urban and peri-urban forestry classification identified by FAO have been matched with the potential forestry focuses in the metropolitan area of Milan.
RESEARCH PHASE: it focused on defining the areas for the tree plantings activities, taking as its starting point the current situation and mapping detailed information on the potential development in terms of greening spaces in the metropolitan area. The Municipal Administrations are among the main targets of the activities carried out in this area of work. The involvement of the 133 municipalities were among the first operations implemented by the research.
ENGAGEMENT PHASE: once contacts with technical and administrators were established, targeted meetings were organized, leading to a shared process and putting urban forestry within the agenda.
Starting from the areas indicated by the Municipalities as possible sites for intervention, shared strategies have been worked out for transforming the territory, aimed at increasing its natural capital. Then strategic project frameworks are built, and these are the basis for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding which stipulates the commitments of the Municipal Administrations and Forestami.
DESING AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASE: it consists in the identification of pilot projects through field inspections and technical checks. The research group of the Politecnico di Milano defines the design guidelines and together with the Technical Committee and the social cooperatives the projects are developed. Finally, after evaluation and approval by the Scientific Committee, the projects are presented to the Community foundation which provides the fund's resources for their implementation. Once the projects are implemented, the information on the plantation is placed in the database, to increase knowledge in the different projects; tree plantings are maintained for five years.
RESEARCH PHASE: it focused on defining the areas for the tree plantings activities, taking as its starting point the current situation and mapping detailed information on the potential development in terms of greening spaces in the metropolitan area. The Municipal Administrations are among the main targets of the activities carried out in this area of work. The involvement of the 133 municipalities were among the first operations implemented by the research.
ENGAGEMENT PHASE: once contacts with technical and administrators were established, targeted meetings were organized, leading to a shared process and putting urban forestry within the agenda.
Starting from the areas indicated by the Municipalities as possible sites for intervention, shared strategies have been worked out for transforming the territory, aimed at increasing its natural capital. Then strategic project frameworks are built, and these are the basis for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding which stipulates the commitments of the Municipal Administrations and Forestami.
DESING AND IMPLEMENTATION PHASE: it consists in the identification of pilot projects through field inspections and technical checks. The research group of the Politecnico di Milano defines the design guidelines and together with the Technical Committee and the social cooperatives the projects are developed. Finally, after evaluation and approval by the Scientific Committee, the projects are presented to the Community foundation which provides the fund's resources for their implementation. Once the projects are implemented, the information on the plantation is placed in the database, to increase knowledge in the different projects; tree plantings are maintained for five years.
How stakeholders are engaged
Forestami has a public and institutional scientific partnership engaged in sharing the objectives of the project: Forestami started in 2018 with a research by the Politecnico di Milano whose objectives were shared by a Memorandum of Understanding signed among Comune di Milano, Città Metropolitana di Milano, Parco Nord Milano, Parco Agricolo Sud Milano and after shared by Regione Lombardia, ERSAF and Fondazione di Comunità Milano.
The engagement of the 133 municipalities of the metropolitan area of Milan focuses on identifying a possible increase in the natural capital for each individual municipality within an overall strategic vision on the broadest territorial scale. The dialogue with local institutions aims to define new conditions in which the territory's transformation increasingly uses Nature-Based Solutions and promotes participatory processes in the design of urban forests.
There is also an activity involving local associations and cooperatives, in particular in the design, implementation and maintenance of the projects. From the design to the creation of the new urban woods, the social cooperatives together with other territorial stakeholders have actively collaborated with the research team to integrate the projects with the actual implementations and the environmental education.
Also on the financing model of Forestami project it can be observed that private companies are involved in the project as active stakeholders throughout their commitment in building communication activities as well as education and cultural initiatives dedicated in some cases to employees, in other cases to citizens, helping the project to reach a broader spectrum of people and to spread the new “ecological way” of thinking. Private companies are for instance involved in schools planting projects, education programme with international experts, internal communication and employees’ education programme and many others.
The engagement of the 133 municipalities of the metropolitan area of Milan focuses on identifying a possible increase in the natural capital for each individual municipality within an overall strategic vision on the broadest territorial scale. The dialogue with local institutions aims to define new conditions in which the territory's transformation increasingly uses Nature-Based Solutions and promotes participatory processes in the design of urban forests.
There is also an activity involving local associations and cooperatives, in particular in the design, implementation and maintenance of the projects. From the design to the creation of the new urban woods, the social cooperatives together with other territorial stakeholders have actively collaborated with the research team to integrate the projects with the actual implementations and the environmental education.
Also on the financing model of Forestami project it can be observed that private companies are involved in the project as active stakeholders throughout their commitment in building communication activities as well as education and cultural initiatives dedicated in some cases to employees, in other cases to citizens, helping the project to reach a broader spectrum of people and to spread the new “ecological way” of thinking. Private companies are for instance involved in schools planting projects, education programme with international experts, internal communication and employees’ education programme and many others.
Global challenges
Each forestation project is tailored to the needs and local context in which it is located. Starting from a strategic approach and methodology at the metropolitan scale, the solutions adopted within each tree planting site closely address the critical conditions of the individual realities considering, for example, the level of urbanization, presence of infrastructures, need to enhance connections and corridors ecological and the improvement of the agricultural landscape.
The approach has always been to read the potential of the area to redefine and improve the relationship between the urban contexts and the surrounding landscape, inserting the design solutions in a logic of continuity with the already existing and possible environmental systems and connections, strengthening the agroforestry structure of the agricultural territory and mitigating, where possible, poor quality background architectural artefacts (such as walls and fences).
Forestami with its actions meets some FAO goals: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all age.
The approach has always been to read the potential of the area to redefine and improve the relationship between the urban contexts and the surrounding landscape, inserting the design solutions in a logic of continuity with the already existing and possible environmental systems and connections, strengthening the agroforestry structure of the agricultural territory and mitigating, where possible, poor quality background architectural artefacts (such as walls and fences).
Forestami with its actions meets some FAO goals: take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all age.
Learning transferred to other parties
The Forestami project can be replicated in 5 elements: in the governance model, in the construction of territorial engagement, in the construction of the database, in the methods of identification of pilot projects and in the aspects of communication and dissemination activities.
The governance model accompanies the project for its 10 years of activity and support it in the planting, maintenance and monitoring of all the new plants, but also consider how the Forestami model can be sustainable beyond the current work and research period.
The territorial engagement with the different municipalities gives a wide knowledge of the territory and allow the creation of a implementable territorial database which systematizes and localizes all the information collected, thus generating data to support territorial investigation and scientific monitoring.
The engagement of private resources for tree plantings thanks to the Communication and Marketing sector is really important because an ambitious project such as Forestami requires large investments over a long time period that fundraising alone will not be able to cover. It is also important to have a project’s plan for communications regarding the dissemination of the benefits of urban forestation, the participation of the citizens of Greater Milan and their engagement.
The governance model accompanies the project for its 10 years of activity and support it in the planting, maintenance and monitoring of all the new plants, but also consider how the Forestami model can be sustainable beyond the current work and research period.
The territorial engagement with the different municipalities gives a wide knowledge of the territory and allow the creation of a implementable territorial database which systematizes and localizes all the information collected, thus generating data to support territorial investigation and scientific monitoring.
The engagement of private resources for tree plantings thanks to the Communication and Marketing sector is really important because an ambitious project such as Forestami requires large investments over a long time period that fundraising alone will not be able to cover. It is also important to have a project’s plan for communications regarding the dissemination of the benefits of urban forestation, the participation of the citizens of Greater Milan and their engagement.
Keywords
urban forestry
active citizenship
climate change
ecological transition
territorial strategy
