Solutions to reduce carbon footprint, sustainably manage resources, promote social inclusion and protect biodiversity are being experimented with in urban settings. In fact, urban biodiversity has positive effects on climate, air quality, water management, and people’s physical and mental well-being, as well as fostering social cohesion and environmental awareness.
To assess these aspects, the research team developed the Re-NATURE Index, an operational tool to measure urban biodiversity systemically, considering resilience, sustainability, virtuosity and responsiveness of cities.
| Milan | Genoa | Palermo | Florence | Naples | |
| Ecological justice | 58 | 43 | 49 | 54 | 40 |
| Economic prosperity | 66 | 60 | 35 | 63 | 38 |
| Governance of urban biodiversity | 53 | 48 | 44 | 54 | 46 |
| Involvement of individuals | 62 | 53 | 43 | 56 | 41 |
| Planet | 50 | 2 | 46 | 48 | 45 |
Parallel to measuring and managing biodiversity, it is crucial to activate production, communication and governance channels that promote sustainable models.
In this regard, with the support of the consulting firm Words, NBFC conducted a research that focused on the communication of urban biodiversity, analyzing how the issue is narrated by institutions and perceived by citizens. The goal is to understand how involved, aware and participating the population is, and what strategies work best to promote stronger collective responsibility.
One exemplary area is that related to food biodiversity, which is under severe threat from global market logics, with repercussions on the environment and local economies. Cities can counter this trend by adopting sustainable, equitable and accessible food systems, improving quality of life and strengthening social cohesion. Experiences such as Cittaslow embody these principles, promoting a slow, participatory and sustainable urban philosophy. A concrete example is the Cittaslow Bee project, which for years has been raising awareness in communities about the importance of pollinating insects through educational initiatives, distribution of honey seeds, and combating excessive pesticide use.
To reverse the trend of bee decline, many cities around the world are promoting the presence of beehives in the urban complex through inizaitives such as “Cittaslow Bee.”
Photo credits: Maljalen, iStockphoto LP
The contents of the online exhibition are based on the chapters of the volume “DisSeminActions: Telling Biodiversity.” Ledizioni, 2025 – open access