Counting (on) trees. Arboreal balance and green plan: the case of Bologna

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the urban tree inventory (bilancio arboreo) and the green plans introduced by Italian Law 10/2013, focusing on the case of Bologna. While the urban tree inventory provides valuable information and represents a step toward greater transparency, it remains an incomplete and reductive regulatory tool, underscoring the need for more significant performance-based indicators. In Bologna, the public tree heritage shows only modest growth over the examined period, despite ambitious policy objectives. Although urban planning instruments formally incorporate the green plan, inconsistencies and informational gaps persist, limiting the ability to assess progress effectively. The findings highlight two critical issues: the weak integration of green planning into broader urban planning processes, and the need for stronger transparency and monitoring mechanisms to ensure more effective implementation.