Cologno Monzese – Urban Nature Plan and green-space management

2025–2026 · Municipality of Cologno Monzese · University of Milan

The scientific collaboration between the Municipality of Cologno Monzese and the University of Milan’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences supports the development of the municipal Green Plan and future Urban Nature Plan, integrating knowledge of the tree resource, ecosystem services, accessibility, biodiversity, ecological connectivity and climate adaptation. The project developed a comprehensive knowledge base for the green infrastructure of a highly urbanized municipality. Cologno Monzese covers approximately 8.4 km² and has almost 48,000 inhabitants; the analysis included public and peri-urban green spaces, local parks and the municipal tree inventory, comprising 9,510 existing trees.

Tree structure and composition were used with i-Tree Eco to estimate ecosystem services including carbon storage and sequestration, air-pollutant removal, avoided runoff and microclimate regulation. These analyses were integrated with assessments of green-space accessibility, ecological connectivity and priority areas for new green infrastructure based on both human-health and ecological-connectivity criteria. The project also reviewed the municipal Green Regulation, identifying required updates concerning ecosystem services, biodiversity, stormwater management, Nature-Based Solutions, climate vulnerability of tree species, ecological compensation, tree-risk management and engagement of private landowners.

Related research lines: Urban forests and nature-based solutions · Sustainable forest management and planning

Reports and outputs: Elements for an Urban Nature Plan for the Municipality of Cologno Monzese (July 2026) · Guidelines for green-space design and management in Cologno Monzese – intervention catalogue (July 2026)