Photo of greenery in Milan.
View of Sforza Castle, Castello Sforzesco from Parco Sempione park Milan, Lombardy, Italy. Photo: Adobe Stock.
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Rethinking greenery in historic cities

Historic city centres are often seen as hostile to greenery – but what if vegetation is part of their heritage? This webinar explores urban green as living heritage, using Milan’s historic gardens to show how past city–nature relations can inform climate adaptation and urban planning.

Date: 5 March 2026

Time: 15:00 - 16:00

Language: English

Participation fee: Free of charge

Organiser: SLU Urban Futures

Location: Online

In this webinar, landscape architect and researcher Maria Stella Lux shows how trees, gardens, and courtyards have long shaped the identity of historic cities like Milan. She explores how these green spaces can be seen as living heritage and as resources for contemporary climate adaptation.

The session combines historical perspectives and case studies from Milan and other European cities, highlighting opportunities for integrating vegetation into historic urban areas.

The webinar concludes with an interactive discussion and Q&A, giving participants the chance to ask questions and share ideas.

Please note that the time is in CET.

You will:

  • Discover how Milan’s historic gardens and courtyards can inform modern urban planning.
  • Learn how urban vegetation can connect heritage, environmental change, and future resilience.
  • Discuss the role of greenery in historic cities with the speaker and fellow participants. 

Speaker

Maria Stella Lux is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Adjunct Professor in Landscape Architecture at Politecnico di Milano. She has a background in architectural heritage restoration and holds a PhD on integrating private spaces into urban green infrastructure for climate resilience. Her research focuses on adapting historic urban landscapes by linking traditional practices with ecological transition. Maria is a member of AIAPP (Italian Association of Landscape Architects) and IASLA (Italian Academic Society of Landscape Architecture).

The registration has closed. 

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