“Milan Street Trees” Master’s Degree Thesis

Abstract
Milan’s tree lines once stitched neighborhoods together as green, legible corridors; today many are fragmented by car-centric transformations, intensifying urban heat and ecological disconnection. This thesis investigates how treelined streets can be reactivated as multifunctional infrastructure that reconciles heritage with climate adaptation.
Historical cartography is integrated with GIS analyses of canopy change and land-surface temperature (LST), ecosystem-services quantification, and field surveys to identify priority routes where cultural continuity and ecological performance overlap. Comparative cases from European and North American cities inform strategies for adaptive species palettes, coordinated soil and water retrofits, and integration with tram, cycling, and pedestrian networks.
Design work focuses on pilot corridors, scalable demonstrations that restore continuous shade, biodiversity, and pedestrian comfort while respecting historically characteristic species and forms. Findings indicate that:
(1) linear continuity, rather than dispersed plantings, maximizes cooling and connectivity;
(2) climate-resilient species mixes can preserve identity while reducing failure risk;
(3) corridor-level governance and technical standards outperform specimen-based protections; and
(4) co-design and stewardship programs strengthen long-term durability.
The thesis frames Milan’s tree-lined streets as living monuments, demonstrating that conserving, restoring, and expanding their tree canopies can measurably reduce heat, enhance urban biodiversity, and reinforce place identity—linking local heritage-protection goals with broader climate commitments.
Keywords: tree-lined corridors; urban heat island; cultural heritage; green infrastructure; ecological connectivity; nature-based solutions; adaptive planting; community engagement; Milan.

MST thesis presentation