On the occasion of the “National Sustainability Education Week” – which takes place from November 24 to 30, 2025 – on Monday, November 24, the Politecnico di Milano will host two classes from the “Luigi Cadorna” primary school.  The Environmental Sustainability Service at Milano-Bovisa Durando Campus  venue, together with young researchers, will meet the children in the frame of the Sustainable Architecture School for Children project.

“E PER GIOCO PROGETTO! (DESIGNING FOR FUN)  SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN” is an educational program conceived by architect Linda Poletti, with scientific supervision by Professor Ilaria Oberti (Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano). The initiative aims to introduce younger generations to the natural and built environment, helping them understand the relationships between people and space through a holistic approach. After all, children are among the most important users of our cities, and it is essential to provide them with the skills and tools to positively influence the development of our future environment.

In particular, on Monday morning, at the Bovisa Durando Campus, students and their teachers, under the guidance of Eleonora Perotto, Head of Environmental Sustainability Service Unit, and with the support of Chiara Minerva, Melissa Paris, and Licia Zuzzaro, will have the opportunity to experience firsthand some of the concrete actions implemented by the University across its Campuses to promote environmental sustainability.

There will be four edutainment activities in which students will be actively involved:

• Let’s play with waste: where should I throw it?
• Bike time!: do you know what it a bicycle station is?
• Permeable soil: when does soil absorb rain?
• A garden that can be eaten: do you know aromatic herbs?

Specifically, the concept of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) will be illustrated. NBS are interventions that, by exploiting green areas and natural ecosystems, improve the quality of the urban environment and, consequently, the quality of life of the people who live there.

The group will visit the Coltivando Garden, located on the Bovisa-Candiani Campus, where they will be welcomed by Davide Fassi and Nour Bergaoui from the Department of Design, along with volunteers Graziella Stimilli and Leila Penna. COLTIVANDO is a convivial garden that promotes a sustainable lifestyle by providing a public green space where activities can be organized, and where knowledge, passions, and relationships are cultivated. Developed by the Polimi DESIS Lab – Department and School of Design – Coltivando was created from the collaboration of service and interior designers, thanks to a co-design process with the local community. The Garden is managed by neighborhood residents in collaboration with the Politecnico, and the fruits and vegetables produced are shared among those who contribute to its care and maintenance.

Later, the group will stop at the bike station, where bicycles and electric scooters can be parked and minor repairs can be carried out, and at the Policiclo bike repair shop, which is run by voluntary university students. Policiclo is currently coordinated by Carlo Cassinis Righini di San Giorgio, who will be present and will show the young students some simple tips on how to keep own bikes in good conditions.

At the end, the ESS staff will illustrate the importance of proper waste separation through an interactive game and will introduce the guests to the different types of waste bins, some of which were designed by POLIMI students. The importance of waste prevention will also be highlighted, as well as the actions aimed at National and European levels to raise awareness on the issue, with reference to the EWWR – European Week for Waste Reduction campaign (https://ewwr.eu/).

Program

For information: servizio-sostenibilita-ambientale@polimi.it