Italiano
The Conference
The cities of the future face a crucial challenge: reconciling urban development with environmental sustainability and climate balance. Palermo, with its history, urban complexity, and the richness of its ecosystems, represents a natural laboratory to reflect on strategies for adapting to climate change.
This event aims to explore the various aspects that characterize the urban environment and the possible solutions to make it more resilient. Topics such as intelligent water resource management, urban plant biodiversity, the role of microorganisms in maintaining ecosystems, urban thermodynamics and heat islands, as well as policies and planning tools for air quality, positive energy, and climate neutrality of urban districts will be discussed.
Furthermore, regulations and strategies for environmental management, the design of new urban ecosystems, the innovative use of city parks and green areas, and the contribution of cultural and museum spaces to sustainable development will be addressed. The goal is to offer an integrated vision of possible actions to improve urban quality of life, promoting concrete and innovative solutions that can guide the creation of Palermo’s City Adaptation Plan.
An opportunity for dialogue between institutions, professionals, researchers, and citizens interested in actively participating in the creation of a greener, more resilient, and climate-balanced urban future.
Daily Program
8:30 Registration and participant check-in
9:00 Conference opening
Institutional greetings
Dr. Roberto Lagalla – Mayor of Palermo
Dr. Pietro Alongi – Councillor for Environmental Policies and Ecological Transition (City of Palermo)
Arch. Giuseppina Liuzzo – Head of Environmental Policies and Ecological Transition Area (City of Palermo)
Prof. Maurizio Cellura – Director, Center for Sustainability and Ecological Transition CSTE (University of Palermo)
Prof. Livan Fratini – Director, Department of Engineering (University of Palermo)
09:30 Prof. Leonardo Valerio Noto – CSTE (University of Palermo, Department of Engineering)
Climate change and the urban challenge: scenarios, impacts, and adaptation strategies
10:00 Arch. Giuseppina Liuzzo – Head of Environmental Policies, Ecological Transition and Green Regeneration Area (City of Palermo)
Urban landscapes and climate balance. Review and “standardization” of plans, regulations, and interventions for the urban environment
10:30 Ing. Antonino Granata – Director, Service 1 of the Basin Authority, Sicily Hydrographic District
Water resilience and intelligent water resource management
11:00 Coffee break
11:30 Prof. Paolo Pagano – CSTE (University of Palermo, Department of Physics and Chemistry – Emilio Segrè)
Urban thermodynamics. Life in heat islands
12:00 Ing. Pier Francesco Scandura – Scientific Director of the PAESC, City of Palermo
The role of PAESC for a climate-balanced urban environment
12:30 Prof. Paola Quatrini – CSTE (University of Palermo, Department of Earth and Marine Sciences)
It’s dirty work… but… microorganisms do it for free
13:00 Prof. Lorenzo Gianguzzi – University of Palermo, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences
Plant biodiversity in the urban area of Palermo: characterization and challenges
13:30 Light lunch
15:00 Dr. Sebastiano Pollina Addario – Head of Service 9 (Regional Health Department)
Climate change and social and environmental vulnerability indicators
15:30 Prof. Giuseppe Barbera – University of Palermo
The Favorita Park, a complex system
16:00 Arch. Antonio Di Lorenzo – Regional Coordinator Sicily, ICOM Italy
Strategies for sustainable development: museums for the environment and climate change
16:30 Prof. Daniele Ronsisvalle – CSTE (University of Palermo, Department of Architecture)
Seeds of regeneration. Can new urban ecosystems contribute to improving the quality of life in the historic center?
17:00 Prof. Francesco Guarino – CSTE (University of Palermo, Department of Engineering)
Climate-neutral cities and positive energy districts: potential and applications
17:30 Q&A and closing remarks
