Tree-space-body. Urban forestry in Naples and Palermo

Abstract

The relationship among tree-space-body is at the core of the research project “RightTT, the Right Tree in the right Town. Urban Forestry for People, in Naples and Palermo”, funded within the framework of the National Research Projects PRIN PNRR 2022. The study explores urban forestry initiatives financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan PNRR (Mission 2 - "Green Revolution and Ecological Transition", Component 4, investment line 3.1- "Protection and enhancement of urban and suburban green areas"). The PNRR allocates a funding of €330 million for planting 6.6 million trees over an area of 6,600 hectares (based on the principal of 1000 trees per hectare) across Italy, with a focus on the southern regions and islands. The research team, comprised of units in Palermo (Principal Investigator Prof. Luciana Macaluso) and Naples (Co-Principal Investigator Prof. Daniela Buonanno), monitors this process by identifying areas for tree planting, in line with the PNRR slogan "the right tree in the right place". They propose guidelines to create living spaces where the vegetation integrates urban environment. The research aims to investigate on the co-presence of nature and artifice, bodies and tree space, and explore new relationships between the environment and the body. Nowdays, greenery has often been planned in an abstract manner, following top-down master plans and agronomic laws, neglecting bodily experience. The research seeks to shift this perspective, responding to a common and widespread “desire for nature”, coming up with a new contact with trees and envisioning urban spaces where trees are not confined but integral and structural components of the environment. Trees become part of the ideation and construction process, fostering interactions between the body, space, tree element, and other organisms. Within architectural compositions, trees establish morphological parameters such as silhouette, size, orientation, and proportion between parts. They also contribute to perceptual elements like light, shadow, colours, and sounds, enhancing the sensory pleasure of humans in tree spaces. Scientific studies demonstrate that among the numerous benefits provided by trees, the primary one is the alleviation of physical and psychological stress in humans. This perspective shift prompts the question of whether trees and urban forestry initiatives can contribute to human well-being. Starting from this query, ongoing actions to preserve forests and biodiversity can become a means of constructing high-quality spaces that harmonize environmental needs of tree species with human requirements. Which forest planting scheme to use? Are there primary habitat conditions where aesthetic pleasure in the landscape is heightened [1]? Are there natural spatial forms where everyone feels comfortable? These are the research inquiries focusing on two designated areas within the cities of Naples and Palermo. These areas differ significantly in size and position within the urban fabric. In each, the research aims to construct a relationship dimension between the built and natural environment/body aspect.