From January 20–24, 2025, the CROSS-REIS project team gathered at Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) and Poliedra for an intensive five-day event. focused on sustainability, biodiversity training, and collaborative project management. The program combined two primary components: familiarization with research-intensive partners' infrastructures and R&I capacities, and specialized training on urban biodiversity. This dual focus provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of advanced sustainability practices and the integration of biodiversity into urban planning and management.
The visit began with an institutional welcome by Renato Casagrandi, Mauro Filippini, and Simona Muratori. They introduced POLIMI’s vision for sustainability and its innovative research infrastructure. Giulia Guidicini presented POLIMI’s strategic sustainability plan, followed by guided tours of the university’s departments, including the Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering (DEIB). Participants gained valuable insights into POLIMI’s role as a hub for sustainable research and innovation.
On the second day, biodiversity training was led by experts such as Renato Casagrandi, Javier Babi Almenar, and Maria Chiara Pastore. They shared their insights on biodiversity indicators, urban biodiversity labs, and the role of the National Biodiversity Future Center. A presentation of the LABU urban garden provided participants with a practical understanding of biodiversity integration in urban settings.
The third day featured sessions by Javier Babi Almenar, Davide Stucchi, and Renato Casagrandi, who shared their expertise on urban ecology, tree modeling, and the dynamics of urban networks. A dedicated session on the CROSS-REIS joint paper fostered collaboration among participants, and the partner meeting, led by prof. Jelena Stanković, the project Coordinator, reviewed progress and set actionable goals for the upcoming reporting period.
Day four focused on urban regeneration and public engagement, with sessions by Maria Chiara Pastore, Stefano Zoli, Eugenio Morello, and Francesco Causone. Participants explored the ForestaMI initiative and the GOCCIA project, which integrate sustainability into Milan’s urban development plans. A site visit to La Goccia provided a tangible example of these efforts. The day concluded with a seminar by Riccardo Chesta on the sociological dimensions of urban biodiversity, sparking discussions on community involvement in ecological initiatives.
The final day at Poliedra included presentations by the Poliedra team, who showcased their infrastructure and ongoing projects. Group discussions focused on enhancing CROSS-REIS Living Labs in widening countries and planning the next steps for collaboration and implementation.
The team extends its gratitude to POLIMI, Poliedra, and all the contributors for their efforts, reinforcing the project’s mission to drive transformative change across Europe.