A “Street Tree” Master Plan for the Strategic Management of Linear Reforestation and Urban Landscape Enhancement in Rome, Italy

Rome's Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) demonstrates that strategic management of urban street trees can enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and preserve historical landscapes. The study reveals that effective STMPs require a balance between ecological needs—such as air pollution reduction and stormwater drainage—and cultural heritage considerations, particularly in cities with complex urban forms like Rome. Using GIS-based spatial analysis and a comprehensive tree census, the plan classifies streets by their functional role (e.g., aesthetic vs. ecological) to guide interventions like maintenance, replacement of aging trees, or new plantings. Comparative insights from global STMPs suggest that historical and spatial context should be integral to urban reforestation strategies in heritage-rich cities.

Clemente, M., Pignatti, G., Degaetano, M., & Corona, P. (2025). A “Street Tree” Master Plan for the Strategic Management of Linear Reforestation and Urban Landscape Enhancement in Rome, Italy. Land, 14(3), 606. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030606