Healing and sustainable gardens to tackle climate change

In the face of rapid climate change expected in the coming decades, landscape architecture plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable and livable urban spaces. Studies indicate that, by 2060, cities like London and Rome could experience climates similar to Barcelona and Marrakech. In this context, Marco Scano, agronomist and researcher at the University of Sheffield, dedicates himself to the design of “healing” and sustainable gardens, studying solutions capable of adapting to increasingly extreme environmental conditions.

Healing and sustainable gardens: a journey between tradition and innovation

Mark Scano, born in 1973 and owner of the Pratobello company in Tempio Pausania, combines a passion for nature with scientific expertise, carrying out studies on the adaptability of ornamental plants to climate change.

With his nursery as an experimental laboratory, Scano analyzes how some plant communities respond to stress conditions, such as water shortage and frequent cutting. This innovative work has captured the attention of researchers at the Sheffield University, with whom Scano collaborates in a self-financed doctoral project.

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Scano proposes a new approach to the design of urban gardens, based on stability, sustainability and therapeutic value. He emphasizes how the current "green deserts", large grassy spaces without biodiversity, are no longer sustainable.

Gardens designed to be places that are not only ornamental, but also curative, capable of strengthening the connection between city and nature. In these spaces, insects and biodiversity become an integral part, creating a living and self-sufficient ecosystem.

This model is part of a growing trend that sees cities adopting “healing gardens” or “curative gardens”, capable of providing not only environmental benefits, but also psychological and therapeutic. The presence of vegetation reduces stress, promotes well-being and helps mitigate the effects of urban heat.

Native Sardinian species as an eco-friendly model for the cities of the future

Marco Scano focuses his studies on the use of native plants of Sardinia, such as myrtle, mastic and wild olive, to develop urban gardens that can face future environmental challenges. These species, characterized by a natural drought resistance and high temperatures, combine aesthetics and the ability to adapt to extreme climatic conditions.

Thanks to their characteristics, these plants offer a eco-friendly solution for urban areas, with a double effect: not only do they beautify the landscape, but they contribute to reducing the consumption of water resources and improving the urban microclimate.

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Scano's approach aims to overcome the traditional "green deserts", aesthetically pleasing green spaces but poor in biodiversity and to high water consumption, to instead promote stable and functional gardens in which each plant brings benefits to the environment and the community.

Scano's research has gained international visibility and have recently attracted the attention of foreign institutions: the researcher was chosen as a consultant for a garden-installation project in New York, which will be presented at the next Venice Biennale.

This project aims to raise public awareness about the importance of air conditioning of urban spaces through the use of suitable and sustainable plant species, thus contributing to educating on climate change management in cities.