Curated by Dr. Rita Trombin
Introduction
In her TEDx talk "All we need is biophilia," Rita Trombin pledged to enshrine Italy's first Biophilic City. This ambitious goal has now been achieved, with Verona officially joining the network of Biophilic Cities. Taking up the etymological meaning of "Biophilia" as "love of life," this initiative reconfirms Verona's role as a "city of love," positioning the city as a leader in fostering a deep connection between its citizens and nature.
Background and Objectives
Accelerated global urbanization has highlighted the critical need to integrate nature into urban environments to mitigate negative impacts on human health and the environment. The "Verona Biophilic City" project aims to address urgent environmental challenges such as the shortage of natural spaces, urban burnout and social isolation. The goal is to make Verona an example of harmony between urbanization and nature, promoting wellbeing, social inclusion and environmental resilience through strengthening the connection with nature.
Implementation and Development
The City of Verona has adopted an integrated approach to strengthen the connection between citizens and nature, both directly and indirectly, through actions such as:
1. Improvement of green infrastructure and urban environmental conditions.
2. Promotion of environmental education and community engagement.
3. Integration of biophilic principles into urban planning and local policies.
4. Monitoring and promoting health and wellbeing through daily access to green and blue spaces.
Results and Impact
The project led to the creation of a detailed map of biophilic experiences available in Verona, which classifies activities into four categories to enrich citizens' knowledge, mental and physical wellbeing, and regenerative experiences. The map, accessible on the City of Verona website, is a key tool to guide residents and visitors through the various biophilic opportunities. Mayor Damiano Tommasi is committed to maintaining and further developing these initiatives, ensuring that nature remains at the center of future urban planning decisions and daily life in Verona. The city is thus set up as a replicable model for other Italian cities, leading the transformation toward a more sustainable urban environment integrated with nature.
