The REACHOUT series of interviews aim at collecting more personal views from colleagues developing and applying climate services for urban adaptation and resilient development, get more insight on the state of knowledge, the main ongoing discourse, and get a more concrete view of what their work encompasses. A sneak peek, so to say, behind the jargon and throbbing sentences used in policy documents and research proposals. Throughout the project, team members will complete a round of interviews. One colleague will interview another, and the interviewed colleague then conducts the following interview of the next team member and so on. As each member interviews and gets interviewed in this manner, all topics will be covered over the duration of this project. Read our latest interview with Simone Nardicchia, Representative of the Municipality of Milan and Jeremy Pal, Senior Researcher at the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change at University of Venice Ca’ Foscari (CMCC). 

Simone, what inspired you to work on climate risk assessment and urban resilience?

‘I’ve always been interested in understanding how environmental challenges affect people’s lives, especially those most at risk. Over time, I became particularly focused on how climate change amplifies vulnerabilities within communities, often creating or deepening inequalities.

This led me to explore urban resilience, as cities are growing rapidly and increasingly becoming the focal point of climate impacts. Strengthening their ability to adapt is crucial—not only to safeguard their populations but also to create fairer, more inclusive environments that can withstand future challenges.’

How has collaboration with research institutes and universities influenced your work in climate risk assessment and urban resilience, and how do approaches differ between the research environment and practical implementation?

‘Collaboration with research institutes and universities through the REACHOUT project has been instrumental in helping us explore, understand, and better address climate risks in Milan, especially heat-related risks. The project has fostered dialogue between academia and urban stakeholders, enabling a shared understanding of vulnerabilities and opportunities for action.

Research institutions provide crucial data and advanced tools, while practical implementation requires translating these insights into accessible, actionable solutions. With REACHOUT, this knowledge exchange has fueled broader discussions to integrate climate change into urban planning, ensuring that the scientific findings are relevant and impactful for the local context.’

Can you share some steps that you and the City of Milan are taking to mitigate risks such as pluvial flooding and heatwaves using nature-based approaches?

‘The City of Milan is addressing climate risks through innovative and targeted interventions. One key measure is depaving urban areas, removing concrete and asphalt to restore soil permeability and create green spaces that serve both environmental and social purposes. These interventions are crucial for improving rainwater management and reducing urban heat. In response to heatwaves, the city recently inaugurated its first school oasis in Crescenzago district, providing a cool and welcoming space for the community during extreme summer heat. Additionally, the large-scale reforestation initiative, Forestami, is planting trees across the metropolitan area, improving the microclimate and strengthening the city’s resilience.’

How do you identify key groups and promote participatory practices to ensure inclusion of vulnerable populations and socially-just solutions? How did the REACHOUT project help with this?

‘Through the REACHOUT project, we explored creative tools to raise awareness and engage communities. One example is the story of Gaia and Ambrogio, which uses a dialogue between a grandfather and his granddaughter on a scorching summer day to explore the changing climate and the urgency of taking action to address heatwaves.

Currently, the story is being updated with new illustrations created by an artist and additional inputs from activities conducted with the Permanent Citizens’ Climate Assembly. This iterative process highlights our commitment to ongoing and inclusive engagement, ensuring that communication tools remain relevant and resonate with vulnerable groups.’

How has the City of Milan enhanced its climate resilience through REACHOUT, and what could other cities learn from this experience?

‘The REACHOUT project has emphasized the importance of tailoring approaches to each city’s unique characteristics and challenges. In Milan, a key success was aligning the project’s activities with the Air and Climate Plan, focusing on specific priorities to enhance resilience.

The project contributed to:

• Deepening knowledge of the local climate profile, with a focus on heat risks and vulnerable communities;
• Mapping high-risk areas, identifying where targeted interventions would be most effective;
• Providing valuable insights for resilient emergency management, helping reduce risks and plan adaptive measures.

Milan’s experience suggests that integrating scientific knowledge with local strategies and engaging communities at every stage could help urban resilience evolve from being just a goal to becoming a shared and actionable pathway.’

Who would you like to speak to next?

‘Natalia Burgos from our partner Ecologic Institute in Berlin. I am curious what led her to focus on climate adaptation and summarize the value of the REACHOUT project.’