Post by Università Bocconi

Can urban parks shape how a city lives, not just how it looks? Green spaces are not simply recreational areas. They function as essential infrastructure for #UrbanSustainability, influencing well-being, safety and everyday life. Based on 2,007 interviews conducted across 14 parks, the research highlights how different green areas serve different roles within the city. Parks such as #BAM and #CityLife act as daily break hubs for office workers, while spaces like Parco Trotter function as social and cultural centers. Others, such as Monte Stella, are perceived as large natural areas, but also reveal concerns related to safety and maintenance.    According to Edoardo Croci (Professor of Practice and Director of the Sustainable Urban Regeneration Lab), these findings confirm that parks are not secondary services, but essential public goods. In a dense and fast-paced urban environment, green spaces provide a direct response to the need for physical and mental well-being. Their value lies not only in environmental benefits, but also in their ability to support social interaction and improve quality of life.     The data show that well-being is the primary reason residents use parks. Walking, exercising, meeting others, or simply taking a break are part of daily routines shaped by access to green areas. At the same time, perceptions of safety and maintenance vary significantly across locations, revealing a city that operates at different speeds. Some parks are well-maintained and widely trusted, while others require stronger institutional presence and targeted interventions. Accessibility also plays a key role. Most parks are within walking distance and are visited frequently, often by individuals alone. This indicates a high level of familiarity and trust, but also highlights how proximity strengthens the relationship between citizens and urban space.    One of the most relevant insights concerns identity. Each park reflects the characteristics of its surrounding neighborhood and the flows of people that use it. As Professor Croci emphasizes, effective urban policies should enhance these differences rather than standardize them. Treating all green spaces in the same way risks overlooking their specific functions and potential. But another finding also emerges strongly: citizens are calling for more attentive, continuous, and measurable management, starting with maintenance and safety. This is an agenda that speaks directly to institutions. Urban transformation also depends on this. Green infrastructure is not a cost, but an investment. It generates value in terms of well-being, social cohesion, and urban attractiveness. For cities like Milan, the challenge is to move from recognizing this value to managing it consistently, with a focus on maintenance, safety, and long-term planning.