From the 1960s to today, the average temperature in Italy has increased by approximately +2.2°C, with peaks exceeding +3.5°C in some areas and large cities.
Rome: Increase of +3.65°C. Milan: Increase of +3.34°C. Bari: Increase of +3.05°C.In large urban areas, the massive construction of the last 60 years has exacerbated global warming through the heat retention effect of road materials and buildings.
Urban Heat Islands
The replacement of natural soil with artificial materials is the main driver of the urban heat island: Thermal storage: Materials such as asphalt and concrete retain solar energy during the day and release it as heat at night.
Loss of evapotranspiration: Vegetation and permeable soils cool the air by releasing humidity; Waterproofing nullifies this biological cooling process.
Temperature differentials: Heavily built-up areas experience average air temperatures 3°C to 10°C higher than surrounding rural areas. Asphalt pavement can reach surface temperatures of over 50°C, compared to approximately 22°C on a grassy lawn.
How building amplifies the "tropical climate"
Land consumption acts as a true multiplier of the effects of the climate crisis:
Persistent tropical nights: The continuous release of accumulated heat from infrastructure impedes nighttime cooling, keeping temperatures constantly above 20°C.
Humidity and bioclimatic discomfort: The lack of natural drainage hinders proper regulation of local humidity, exacerbating the perception of heat and thermal stress on the human body.
Extreme urban weather events: Extreme urban temperatures create strong convective motions that, when in contact with humid air, can trigger extremely violent localized thunderstorms (so-called "water bombs" or tropical downpours), which then collide with soil that has lost its ability to absorb water.
To mitigate tropical weather waves, it would be necessary to address:
Green and blue infrastructure: Creation of parks, tree-lined corridors, and bodies of water that promote natural cooling.
Green roofs and walls: Installation of vertical gardens and plant covers on buildings to provide thermal insulation. Reflective surfaces (Cool Pavements): Use of asphalt and light-colored, draining materials with low heat retention. Urban reforestation: Massive tree planting to maximize shade and evapotranspiration.
De-paving: Active removal of obsolete asphalt and concrete in squares, parking lots, and courtyards to restore the natural soil and its permeability.
In reality, the exact opposite occurs.
In Italy, nearly 23 hectares of land are being paved over every day.
The latest official data from the ISPRA-SNPA Report (2025) highlight an acceleration of the phenomenon: our country loses approximately 2.7 square meters of soil every second, equivalent to a transformed surface area of approximately 230,000 m² per day.
Key data on land consumption
To understand the extent of land use in Italy, the picture outlined by ISPRA shows the following numbers:
Annual loss: In the last year monitored, 83.7 square kilometers of land were paved over. Percentage increase: The rate of land use increased by 15.6% compared to the previous year.
ISPRA data highlights a dangerous short circuit between artificialization and climate change: increasingly warmer cities: the expansion of squares and buildings without adequate green spaces impedes nighttime heat dissipation, consolidating the phenomenon of tropical nights.
Hydraulic fragility: approximately 13% of total consumption occurs in areas with medium flood risk. The soil is no longer able to absorb rainwater, transforming storms into urban flash floods.
Sources:
The increase in temperature in Italian municipalities from the 1960s to today - OBCT balcanicaucaso.org
https://cittaclima.it
Rome Report - CMCC cmcc.it
Uncontrolled overbuilding and the protection of "soil" - Environmental Law dirittoambientale.eu
Overbuilding is costing us dearly | Let's regenerate the territory rigenriamoterritorio.it
Nature Positive Network
Land consumption in Italy: ISPRA 2025 report
https://alternativalibertaria.org/lantidoto-n-4/
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Source: A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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