On April 1st, 2025, Imola officially presented its Action Plan for Heat-Resilient Public Spaces, the outcome of a participatory process led by the Metropolitan City of Bologna, thanks to the Cool Noons project. The initiative brought together high school students from Paolini Cassiano and Scarabelli-Ghini, university students from the Green and Landscape Technologies program, and PhD candidates in Health, Safety, and Green Systems.

Students presented their proposals for making urban areas cooler and more welcoming during summer heatwaves. The plan identifies 12 public spaces and outlines tangible interventions, including new tree plantings, the addition of fountains, and urban furniture. Some of these measures will be implemented by the Cool Noons project.

 “Tackling climate challenges begins with awareness and education,” said vice mayor Elisa Spada. “Extreme heat especially affects the most vulnerable members of society. Through the workshops led by Cool Noons, we fostered a meaningful dialogue with citizens. By working side by side with schools, universities, and the local community, we’ve laid a solid foundation for a more resilient and inclusive city.”

To learn more about these initiatives and see how public spaces are evolving, you can watch the video above, that summarizes the participatory pathway that involved young people and local associations.

> Download here the Action Plan