The ecological connections in the valley of the Lambro river in the south-east of Milano- from the commune of San Donato Milanese to Melegnano

The aim of “Volare” is to work out a feasibility study, able to comply with general objectives of the Fondazione Cariplo’s tender “Connessioni Ecologiche”. Which relates the enhancement of the environmental heritage through the realization, the development and the strengthening of terrestrial and fluvial ecological corridors. “Volare” will enable the connection of important natural areas in order to maintain the biodiversity.

The realization of this ecological connections will be integrated in the northern part of the Lambro river, which covers the territory in the valley of Milano and includes the areas of the communities of San Donato Milanese, San Giuliano Milanese and Melegnano. The territory where “Volare” should be performed are defined from the PTC (Piano Territoriale di Coordinamento) of Milano as “area with a high relevance for the river terrain” and “area of relevance for the river terrain” congruent downstream the Lambro river and the Vettabbia river.

The plan norm describes the “Volare” territory as areas, which are characterized with the presence of elements with a geomorfological, natural, fluvial or historical interest. The landscape was created by the natural flow of water, the morphology, the nature, the culture and the historical architecture. Landscapes who have a need for appreciation can also be included in the project, the intervention process can up value this zones.

The intention of the feasibility study is to examine the conditions for the realization of ecological connections along the corridors. A special focus is on particular critical parts like the housing areas in Melegnano, where the Lambro passes a highly urbanized area and loses thereby it’s naturalness.

It is necessary to check also the planned infrastructure projects, that could be potentially concurrent with the “Volare” project. Especially the milanese part of the Lambro river gets a big attention regarding the integration of connections in the vast area. Relating to the Lambro there exist numerous ability plans, which were put in a internal system of the project supported by Cariplo with the title “The open spaces, the natural agricultural areas, the Lambro and the metropolitan region around Milano. An Example of activating an ecological network”.

text by Legambiente Lombardia

Download more information on VOLARE here.