Green Infrastructure Recognized as a Strategic Asset for Urban Health and Climate Resilience

The 10th anniversary of the MyPlant & Garden exhibition, held in Milan from February 18 to 20, 2026, solidified the status of public green spaces as essential infrastructure. This landmark event, which drew approximately 800 exhibitors and more than 25,000 attendees to the Fiera Milano Rho, signaled a definitive transition from traditional horticulture toward the sophisticated management of complex urban ecosystems.

Discussions during the event highlighted the profound environmental advantages of meticulously designed green zones. For instance, a single mature tree is capable of sequestering between 10 and 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. To put this into perspective, one hectare of healthy forest absorbs an amount of CO2 equivalent to the emissions produced by a vehicle traveling 26,000 miles in a year.

Beyond carbon sequestration, scientific findings presented in 2026 underscore the vital link between human health and biodiversity. Exposure to diverse green environments has been shown to positively influence the human microbiome, leading experts to categorize urban greenery as a form of "preventative health infrastructure" for national medical systems.

The tangible benefits of urban forestry were showcased through specific Italian case studies, most notably the city of Modena. With a ratio of 115 trees for every 100 residents, Modena serves as a model for achieving thermal comfort; temperatures in tree-shaded areas can be as much as 6°C lower than those on paved surfaces.

Forums at the exhibition emphasized that preserving urban biodiversity is a direct investment in public health, a priority that has gained significant momentum in the post-pandemic recovery era. The shift in perspective treats green assets not as a budgetary burden but as a strategic necessity for resilient communities.

Conferences organized by the Asso.Impre.Di.A. association focused on this paradigm shift, arguing that managing biological complexity in metropolises requires high-level technical expertise. Working alongside ANVE (the National Association of Nursery Stock Exporters), the organization advocates for functional rather than merely decorative greening to ensure both ecological efficiency and citizen safety.

Key sessions addressed phytosanitary emergencies and the implementation of Italian green engineering in urban regeneration projects. Discussions also covered the allocation of PNRR funds and the critical need to combat "greenwashing" to ensure genuine expansion of green cover. As the third-largest economy in the eurozone, Italy is increasingly prioritizing ecosystem-based solutions to mitigate climate change and adapt to its challenges.