
This year, the NbS Italy Hub Annual Meeting focuses on territorial regeneration through Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), with a special emphasis on the urban environment. The event will bring together diverse perspectives — from designers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and public administrations — to explore how NbS can address key urban challenges, including climate change, air quality, local economic and territorial regeneration, the development of a NbS-related production chain and job market, as well as the definition of specific regulations and standards.
The meeting will be a key moment to share the progress achieved and assess the current state of NbS implementation in Italy. It is increasingly recognized that the General Assembly of Italian NbS aims to foster ongoing dialogue between the economic sector, policymakers, researchers and professionals, to promote green and sustainable regeneration across the country.

July 8th 2025
NbS ITALY HUB Annual Meeting 2025
Milan, Palazzo Isimbardi, Metropolitan City of Milan
Entrance: Corso Monforte 35
The first day will be dedicated to territorial regeneration through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), with a particular focus on the urban environment. Four parallel sessions will explore key themes: the role of NbS in climate change adaptation, with strategies to address heatwaves, floods and biodiversity loss; the contribution of green infrastructure and urban forests to improving air quality; the potential of NbS in urban regeneration to create more livable and inclusive spaces and, finally, a showcase of tools, methodologies and case studies aimed at raising awareness of NbS in urban communities.
09:00 | 10:00 | Thematic Breakfast – Courtyard of Honor Meet the Hub representatives to prepare for the day's topics - Public Administration Corner - Business Corner - Research Corner |
Alessandra Aires, City of Turin Angelo Arpano, Order of Agricultural Surveyors Israa Mahmoud, POLIMI |
Morning Session – Council Hall | |||
10:00 | 10:30 | Institutional Greetings CMM and POLIMI welcome the participants. |
Carlo Calfapietra, CNR Francesco Vassallo, CMM Massimo Bricocoli, POLIMI (Video Message) |
10:30 | 10:45 | General introduction to the event and objectives of the day. | Emilio De Vita, CMM |
10:45 | 11:00 | Hypotheses on the role of nature-based solutions in urban and environmental regeneration. | Carlo Calfapietra, CNR |
11:00 | 11:15 | Antonio Maturani, MASE | |
11:15 | 12:00 | Round Table: The contribution of business and professionals to the promotion of the NBS supply chain in Italy The involvement of the private sector in promoting, implementing and developing NBS in Italy. |
Moderator: Cinzia Davoli, CMM Discussants: Francesca Zaccagnini, ANCE |
12:00 | 13:00 | Round Table: The challenges that NBS help us address Speakers will present an overview of the main challenges related to the four topics of the afternoon session, offering useful insights to deepen the links with NBS. |
Moderator: Cinzia Davoli, Metropolitan City of Milan Discussants: • Climate change – Nunzia Fasolino, CMCC |
Poster Session - Networking – Lunch – Courtyard of Honor | |||
13:00 | 14:30 |
During lunch, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Poster Session and engage with the authors. The event will also offer a chance for exchange and dialogue among participants. |
Moderator: Israa Mahmoud, POLIMI |
Afternoon Session: Nature-Based Solutions | |||
14:30 | 16:00 |
Parallel Session 1 - Climate Change and NBS NBS represent key tools to mitigate the effects of climate change and make cities more resilient. This session will explore strategies and case studies on how NBS can contribute to urban adaptation, addressing challenges such as heat waves, floods, and biodiversity loss. |
Moderators: Barbara Meggetto and Silvia Argentiero, Legambiente Rapporteur: Cristina Lavecchia, FOMD |
14:30 | 16:00 | Parallel Session 2 - Air Quality and NBS
Air pollution is one of the main threats to health in urban areas, but NBS can play a crucial role in improving air quality. Through concrete examples and scientific analyses, this session will deepen the effectiveness of interventions such as urban forests, green roofs, and green infrastructures in reducing air pollutants. |
Moderator: Maddalena Buffoli, POLIMI Rapporteur: Chiara Baldacchini, UNITUS |
14:30 | 16:00 | Parallel Session 3 - Urban Regeneration and NBS
NBS offer new perspectives for the redevelopment of urban spaces, creating more livable, sustainable, and inclusive environments. This session will present successful experiences and innovative governance models to integrate nature into urban planning, improving citizens’ quality of life. |
Moderator: Eugenio Morello, POLIMI Rapporteur: Yael Meroz, ELMEN-EEIG |
14:30 | 16:00 | Parallel Session 4 - Dissemination and NBS
To maximize the impact of NBS, it is essential to actively engage citizens, businesses, and institutions through participatory processes and effective communication strategies. This session will explore tools, methodologies, and successful projects to raise awareness and support for NBS in urban communities. |
Moderator: Alessandra Prampolini, WWF Rapporteur: Francesca Bretzel, CNR |
16:00 | 16:30 | Coffee Break | |
Plenary Session – Feedback on the work | |||
16:30 | 17:30 | Feedback from the parallel sessions by moderators and rapporteurs | |
17:30 | 18:00 |
Final notes, conclusions, future perspectives |
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18:00 | 19:00 |
Closing Networking Networking and poster presentation session (5 minutes each). Each poster will be accompanied by a brief five-minute presentation aimed at illustrating the main results and contributions in the field of NBS. |
“NbS Week 2025” extra initiatives
July 7th 2025
Palazzo Isimbardi - Milan
15:30 | 17:30 |
NbS Italy Hub Partners' Assembly |
July 9th 2025
NbS Tour in the Milan metropolitan area
9:00 | Departure: Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, Milan | |
17:30 | Arrival: Milan Central Station |
The tour will offer the opportunity to explore recent Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) initiatives within the territory of the Metropolitan City, meeting with technicians, administrators, and local stakeholders involved in the transformation processes. Significant experiences, ranging from successes to critical issues, will be shared, offering insight into the implementation of projects that still struggle to become part of the "new normal" in public works.
Poster Submission
On July 8th and 9th, 2025, the posters will be displayed in the main venue hosting the event, at Palazzo Isimbardi, headquarters of the Metropolitan City of Milan. Your abstract should address challenges related to Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in connection with the event’s main themes, specifically: 1) Climate change and NbS, 2) Air quality and NbS, 3) Urban regeneration and NbS, 4) Dissemination and NbS. A maximum of 20–24 posters will be selected, so we kindly ask you to ensure your contribution is linked to one of the four event themes.
Accepted posters will have 5–7 minutes for a short presentation of their contribution about the event topics. The poster format will be A0 (height: 59.4 cm, width: 42 cm), and a template will be sent via email once your abstract has been accepted.
The deadline for abstract submission is set for June 30th, 2025, or until all available slots are filled.
For any questions, please contact us at the following email address:
greeningcities@polimi.it
To partecipate, please use this link

July 10th and 11th 2025
NbS Summer School
Politecnico di Milano, Educafè, piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, Milan
“From Planning to Action: A Summer School on Urban NbS for Professionals”
The Summer School aims to provide public officials and urban planners with tools to integrate Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into the assessment of ecosystem services and economic development strategies.
The School is organized by the Politecnico di Milano, CNR-IRET, CNRS/LIVE-ENGEES, and ALTAMIRA, with the support of NetworkNature, in collaboration with the NbS Italy Hub and the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). It is intended for professionals, policymakers, municipal managers, impact investors, designers, experts and early academics.
Registration for the Summer School is closed
Check out the event page
ATTENTION
We have reached the maximum number of registrations allowed for this event, but you can join the waiting list: you will be contacted if a spot becomes available.
If you are unable to attend in person, you will receive the link to join online.
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