Genova presents its model of urban resilience at the “Genova Lighthouse” conference

The Municipality of Genova presented its urban resilience model during the conference ‘Genova Lighthouse - Strategies and Actions for Adapting to Climate Change’, held today in the Salone di Rappresentanza of Palazzo Tursi. The meeting was attended by, among others, the Councillor for the Environment Silvia Pericu and the Councillor for Public Works and Civil Protection Massimo Ferrante.

The event provided an opportunity for local authorities, institutions and the research community to share experiences and best practices useful for developing concrete policies to address the challenges of climate change.

During the conference, two significant initiatives were announced that the Municipality of Genova will launch in the coming months. The first concerns a study on the “carbon footprint”, with the aim of defining more effective strategies for decarbonisation and urban sustainability. The second initiative is the drafting of the Authority's Sustainability Report, a document that will allow for the systematic monitoring and reporting of the Administration's environmental, social and governance performance.

The Councillor for the Environment, Silvia Pericu, explained that the “Genova Lighthouse” project was created with the aim of placing environmental sustainability at the heart of administrative decisions. Adapting to climate change, she noted, is not just an environmental issue, but also involves social and cultural aspects that affect institutions, businesses, schools and citizens. The aim is to build an aware community capable of generating innovation and new opportunities based on respect for the environment.

In presenting the actions already implemented and those planned, the councillor stressed the importance of taking stock of current adaptation strategies and developing new ones aimed at making Genova increasingly resilient and sustainable. The study on the “carbon footprint”, funded by the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation and conducted in collaboration with the University of Genova and the Polytechnic University of Torino, aims to analyse and quantify greenhouse gas emissions in order to define targeted and effective interventions. At the same time, the Sustainability Report, which will also include economic and financial data, will provide a tool for transparency and dialogue with citizens and stakeholders, showing concrete objectives, actions and results. 

 This document will be useful for understanding how the Municipality manages resources, risks and opportunities with a view to sustainable development and will support future decisions and planning. Finally, the Councillor expressed his desire for Genova to become the protagonist of a real “climate contract” shared between institutions, businesses, associations and citizens to tackle new climate challenges together.

During the day, the Genova 2050 Action Plan, the strategic plan dedicated to the city's ecological transition, was also presented. Among the concrete measures presented are the redevelopment of the Argine del Polcevera gardens and the restoration of the Sentiero dei Forti Genovesi, which involves hydrogeological consolidation and environmental enhancement works.

The Councillor for Public Works and Civil Protection, Massimo Ferrante, highlighted how the public works currently underway are part of this vision of resilience and urban regeneration. He recalled the fragility of Genova, one of the most vulnerable cities in Italy in terms of hydrogeological risk, emphasising the commitment to improving the quality of life of citizens by securing the most exposed areas. At the same time, Ferrante emphasised the importance of ensuring sustainable local public transport in a complex orographic context such as Genova.. He explained that, in order to manage infrastructure effectively, it is necessary to maintain a balance between targeted interventions, integrated design and sustainable maintenance, which are fundamental tools for making the city safer, more efficient and ready to face the environmental challenges of the future.

With the Genova Lighthouse project and the new initiatives presented, the Municipality of Genova confirms its commitment to leading change, building a more aware, resilient and sustainable city, capable of facing climate challenges with vision, innovation and shared responsibility.

Edited by Giampaolo Caserta.