Green Space Justice: A Path Forward for Our Cities

These past weeks have been turbulent not only for Milan. News about ongoing judicial inquiries into urban planning and architecture has stirred debates and, inevitably, doubts. Yet, in moments like these, I believe it is important to step back and look at the broader picture: over the last two decades, Milan has shown the world how urban regeneration can breathe new life into a city—how green spaces, when thoughtfully planned, can transform not only skylines but also daily lives.

This newsletter is not about judgments. It is about a vision we cannot afford to lose: a fairer distribution of green space—Grünraumgerechtigkeit—and the responsibility we all share to ensure that nature is not a privilege, but a right.

The Democracy of Green

Amidst all the discussions about new towers and masterplans, we must not forget what truly matters in the daily life of citizens: access to green space. In Austria, the term Grünraumgerechtigkeit is often used, and I believe we should talk about it far more often. It asks a simple but powerful question: Who has access to green space, and who does not?

Not everyone in our cities enjoys the same opportunities. If you live in a leafy district or have your own garden, you can balance the pressures of urban life more easily. However, in densely populated neighbourhoods, with small apartments and limited access to parks, the situation is different—particularly for children, the elderly, or those without the means to travel far. As climate change intensifies heat in our cities, these inequalities become even more pressing.

At LAND we know that densifying cities must be connected with improving the quality and fairness of green spaces. There are many ways to achieve livable cities: not only through classical parks, but also through informal or unexpected green areas—such as vacant lots turned into community gardens, planted courtyards, and shaded streets that invite you to linger and meet.

What happens elsewhere: Switzerland

This discussion is not limited to Milan or Italy. In Switzerland, the Landschaftskonzept Schweiz (LKS) provides a framework for integrating landscape quality goals into national and local planning. It shows how coordinated policies—linking federal, cantonal, and municipal levels—can ensure that natural and cultural values are not sidelined, but instead actively contribute to quality of life and economic development. Partnerships and clear measures, as outlined in the LKS, are essential to achieve these goals.

Remembering the lessons from New York: Champions for Public Space

This debate reminds me of a conversation I had in 2022 with Amanda Burden , the former New York City Planning Commissioner and now Principal at Bloomberg Associates. Amanda said something that has stayed with me ever since:

“There are public spaces that work and public spaces that don’t work. People want comfortable, green, friendly public spaces. Those spaces are successful. But they don’t happen by accident. Public space must be fought for from the start. We need champions to design them for the people that use them, and people to care for and maintain them.”

Those words are as valid for Milan as they are for New York or Montréal. Valuable green spaces do not happen by accident. They need advocacy, they need design, and they need long-term care.

Extending Public Space Vertically and Horizontally

In that same conversation, I reflected on how, in our densifying cities, parks alone will not be enough:

“We need to extend the concept of public space into buildings. We need vertical and horizontal green, so people can fully enjoy the landscape around us. Nature can be used as a space-filler on different levels, bringing us joy, beauty and health.”

This is where Grünraumgerechtigkeit meets innovation: ensuring that even in compact urban fabrics, people encounter nature—on roofs, on façades, in courtyards and shared spaces.

Learning from Vienna: A City that Supports Vertical Green

Some cities are already taking bold steps in this direction. Vienna, for example, actively supports vertical greening by funding façade planting projects with up to 10,000 euros per building and by providing planning advice to residents. Why? Because green façades and roofs are not only beautiful and ecological—they bring very real economic and climatic benefits.

They keep buildings cooler in summer and warmer in winter, reduce energy costs, filter dust and pollutants, produce oxygen, and create habitats for urban wildlife. They act as natural air conditioners, shielding façades from heavy rain and UV radiation, and storing rainwater, which eases the burden on sewer systems. Most importantly, they make dense neighborhoods more livable, attracting people to walk, linger, and enjoy their city.

This is precisely what we mean by reconnecting people with nature—not just in conventional ways, but on every surface where life can take root.

A Global Mandate: Climate Justice and Our Role

Just as cities and regions are rethinking their planning, the global community is also taking decisive steps. On 23 July, the International Court of Justice in The Hague issued a historic advisory opinion: states are legally obliged to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions, to act with due diligence and cooperation, and to honour their commitments—such as those under the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5°C.

UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called it “a victory for our planet, for climate justice and for the power of young people to make a difference.” Even though advisory opinions are not binding, they carry significant moral and legal weight. They clarify that environmental protection is not optional—it is a duty, linked not only to ecological treaties but also to fundamental human rights.

What does this mean for us as landscape architects, planners, and citizens? It means that our daily work—whether it is reclaiming brownfields, creating urban forests, or advocating for Grünraumgerechtigkeit—is part of a much larger framework of responsibility. It confirms what we have long believed: landscape is not a decorative afterthought; it is a core strategy in the fight against the climate crisis.

A Thought for the Summer

As summer unfolds and the heat islands in our cities get more intense, the importance of green space justice becomes even clearer. Nature is not a luxury—it is essential for our health, our resilience, and our future. “Nature conscience” in combination with social planning is the future of the city!

And so, as you plan your summer days—whether close to home or far away—let me ask you: How has the climate crisis changed your relationship with public space? What does green space justice mean to you personally?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Share them with us—and let’s keep this conversation alive. Because only by reconnecting—with nature and with each other—can we cultivate cities and landscapes that belong to everyone.