Background
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General information
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Urban environments across Europe are facing unprecedented challenges linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, 
and the need for more equitable access to public space. Cities like Bologna are particularly affected by urban heat islands (UHI) 
and urban heat waves (UHW), which intensify the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, strain public health systems, 
and reduce overall quality of life. Addressing these issues requires innovative, scalable solutions that integrate environmental, 
social, and technological strategies.

The *European Urban Initiative – Innovative Actions (EUI-IA)* program was established to support such ambitious approaches, enabling cities 
to test novel ideas that have not yet been implemented elsewhere in Europe. Under this framework, the *TALEA* project was launched in Bologna 
with the goal of transforming the city’s urban fabric through the creation of **TALEA Green Cells (TGCs)** -- modular, adaptable green units 
designed to reconnect fragmented green spaces, regenerate underutilized areas, and provide climate refuges for residents.

The concept of *green cells* is rooted in the idea of micro-scale interventions that collectively produce macro-scale impacts. 
Each cell integrates nature-based solutions, technological tools for microclimate monitoring, and participatory co-design processes 
involving local communities. Together, these cells contribute to a continuous urban green infrastructure, capable of mitigating UHI effects, 
supporting biodiversity corridors, and enhancing citizens’ health and well-being.

Beyond environmental benefits, the project emphasizes social innovation and inclusion. By targeting vulnerable areas and engaging residents 
directly in planning and maintenance, TALEA promotes “green justice”, ensuring that the ecological transition is not only sustainable but 
also equitable. In Bologna, three pilot zones -- Martiri-Boldrini, Mascarella, and Savena -- were selected to demonstrate different applications 
of the Green Cell model, from integrating green infrastructure into dense urban mobility corridors to revitalizing peripheral spaces with 
self-establishing vegetation.

Through these interventions, the Green Cells project aims to reimagine the role of green spaces in Bologna, moving from isolated parks and 
gardens toward a networked system of green, blue, and social infrastructure that improves livability, fosters community engagement, and 
provides replicable models for cities across Europe.


About this study
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This study presents a new methodology for planning the insertion of new green cells in the urban area of Bologna. 
Relying solely on interpretable **optimization** techniques -- without the use of Deep Neural Networks -- the approach ensures full transparency in the decision-making process. The workflow consists of:

- **Collecting** open-source urban and demographic data.
- **Creating** an optimization-based, interpretable model.
- **Exploring** results under varying parameter configurations.

By leveraging open data, the study examines how the optimal placement of green cells changes in response to factors such as population density. 
The explainable nature of the method provides urban planners with actionable, data-driven insights supported by a clear and traceable rationale.