Urban greenery management faces challenges in Marigliano and Viterbo

Urban greenery and the management of heat islands are becoming critical issues in Italian cities like Marigliano and Viterbo as climate change intensifies.

In Marigliano, the local communal villa has become a significant heat island following a previous administration's decision to remove trees deemed incompatible with a redevelopment project. Residents report that the lack of shade and the heat-retaining surfaces of the park make the area nearly inaccessible during summer months. There are calls to utilize PNRR funds to replant mature trees and create natural shaded corridors along streets.

In Viterbo, the focus is on balancing the need for increased public greenery with the safety risks posed by extreme weather. While more trees are needed to provide oxygen and shade, landscape architect Priscilla Mattioli emphasizes the importance of protecting historical trees that serve as cultural memory. The challenge for local administrations lies in monitoring tree stability to prevent accidents from wind and storms while avoiding hasty removals of significant, aged specimens.