Trees in Bologna, Clancy promotes the experiment: "We'll do it again next year."

Bologna, August 27, 2025 - Nighttime planning, the environment and urban greenery, and safety. Deputy Mayor Emily Clancy addressed several topics during the presentation of the fourth edition of the Notte Bianca in Montagnola on Saturday, August 30. The park event will feature concerts, DJ sets, sports tournaments, screenings, and artistic performances from dusk until dawn. Among the most anticipated events are the midnight concert for Palestine by Syrian pianist Aeham Ahmad and the dawn performance by accordionist Antonio Macaretti. But that's not all. A new event will also kick off on the Pincio terrace, starting September 3.

The night plan and the street hosts

A rich program is available on bolognadinotte.it , the city's new website designed specifically to promote a conscious and participatory nightlife culture. Deputy Mayor Clancy summarized the program, also emphasizing the important role of street hosts, a constant presence for those who experience Bologna's nightlife, capable of making the nightlife less impactful for residents, but also of accompanying those who feel unsafe at night. These figures will be present on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and holiday nights in high-traffic areas—such as the university district—and 7 nights a week in Montagnola Park. Furthermore, Clancy announced that among the new features of the service, street hosts can be contacted via WhatsApp at 3534834517.

The felling of trees

But the nightlife isn't the only topic on the agenda for the deputy mayor at Palazzo d'Accursio. Clancy, who also holds responsibility for the Environment, returns to the topic of greenery , a hot topic following the formal notice sent by thirteen organizations to the Municipality, which, according to environmentalists, "failed to communicate the reasons for the tree felling." Clancy is attempting to mediate the discussion: "We've been discussing the city's tree felling with the Green Council in recent weeks, and we've asked them to appoint a trusted agronomist with whom our technicians would consult before the planned tree felling. They've also made us a counterproposal for collaboration with the University. We're in discussions." Clancy, in short, embraces the path of dialogue, also noting that with Bologna Verde "we will allocate €23 million for greening, desealing, and reforestation," specifying that "a process has been initiated that has so far seen the participation of over 1,300 citizens."

The little trees in the pot

There's also a mention of the potted trees in the city center's squares that have sparked so much discussion. This experiment, Clancy says, will most likely return next year . "The potted plants placed in the squares and streets of central Bologna this summer are all doing well and, as has always been said, they will be planted in our school gardens at the end of September," the deputy mayor states. Of course, the trees aren't a permanent solution to the climate crisis, but they have "still sparked a debate about greenery in the city. There are even those who write to us saying they would like to have them permanently in the squares," Clancy recalls. The city's goal remains "to increase greenery even in areas where it's difficult to have it on a structural basis," the deputy mayor concludes.

Pepper spray or taser?

The final topic touched on safety. Clancy, when asked about the use of pepper spray by local police to stop a man on Via Marconi, said "it was the right choice. It confirms that alternative measures, less invasive and less risky than the Taser, are the right ones to pursue."