GREENERY IN THE CHANGING CITY The city and its ecosystem. Trees, pines and climate change

“GREENERY IN THE CHANGING CITY” “The city and its ecosystem. Trees, pines and climate change”

The conference “The city and its ecosystem. Trees, pines and climate change” is part of the presentation cycle for the fourth edition of the White Paper on Greenery - ‘Greenery in the Changing City’ - dedicated to the complex and interconnected challenges that cities are called upon to face: climate change, ecological transition, demographic, economic and social transformations, technological innovation, new health and well-being needs of the population, changes in lifestyles, value production models and ways of using urban space.

In this scenario, urban and peri-urban greenery takes on a central role as strategic infrastructure, where trees, parks, gardens, urban vegetable gardens and green infrastructure become real tools for urban regeneration, adaptation to climate change, social equity, economic development, public health, technological innovation and active community participation. Trees in cities play a primary role: they improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and CO₂, mitigate the “heat island” effect by providing shade and evaporation to the soil, and generate economic and social benefits by increasing property values and urban well-being. The pine trees in the city of Palermo are not only typical Mediterranean landscape and environmental elements but also vegetal witnesses to local history and biodiversity.

The conference, promoted by the City of Palermo and the Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo, with Assoverde, Confagricoltura, Kèpos, in collaboration with CREA and the Association of Public Garden Directors and Technicians, is part of the presentation cycle of the new Focus 24/25 'Greenery in the Changing City' and involves administrators, teachers and researchers, professionals and operators in the sector in the discussion, with the aim of identifying priority actions, guiding future choices and building a shared vision of the city of tomorrow.