Climate change is intensifying heatwaves, storms and flooding, placing unprecedented pressure on urban infrastructure and public safety. In many cities, soaring temperatures fuel heat-island effects, while heavier rainfall overwhelms drainage systems. Against this backdrop, urban trees emerge as heroes, shading streets to cool the air, intercepting stormwater to reduce flooding, and absorbing pollutants to purify city atmospheres.
Milan’s Bold 3D Census Makes Headlines
In late June 2025, Milan launched a pioneering 3D census of around 30,000 street-side trees, creating virtual “twins” to monitor health, structure and stress responses in real time. The project, backed by EU Metro Plus funds, was covered widely and you can check it at the following links:
ANSA
Milano Today
La Reppublica
Councillor Elena Grandi on the Power of Digital Twins
Councillor for Green and Environment of MIlan, Elena Grandi, underscores how these digital models enable insights into canopy density, root stability and vulnerability to extreme winds or heavy rains. By integrating this rich data into GreenSpaces, Milan’s arborists can pinpoint at-risk trees, streamline maintenance schedules and allocate resources exactly where they’re needed, avoiding unnecessary inspections and maximizing public safety.
GreenSpaces as the Heart of Milan’s Urban Trees Care
GreenSpaces is an integrated, geo-referenced platform that brings every element of urban greenery into a single digital environment. Its intuitive web interface and mobile app let planners and field crews:
Visualize and update tree inventories and inspection records in the field
Schedule and track maintenance jobs, with optimized workflows for improved efficiency
Leverage advanced modules, from weather-driven irrigation planning to daily ecosystem-services calculations, to adapt care strategies to changing conditions
By turning every tree into a living data point, GreenSpaces supports cities not only in facing today’s climate challenges, but in fostering greener, healthier urban lives for their citizens.
