Italian architect Stefano Boeri wins award for Dutch vertical forest
The award, presented at the annual MIPIM international real estate trade show held in Cannes, recognises the most 'useful, sustainable and visionary projects' in the real estate industry.
Located in Utrecht, Wonderwoods Vertical Forest is a 104-metre tower that includes 360 trees and 50,000 plants on its façades, the 'equivalent to the vegetation of a hectare of forest.'
The project aims to improve the quality of life in the area, by enhancing biodiversity and absorbing carbon dioxide. 'This is a real urban ecosystem, a haven for the biodiversity of living species', the Stefano Boeri Architetti studio said in a statement.
The high-rise, which opened in February, is the first vertical forest in the Netherlands to incorporate both apartments and public spaces, including services and commercial areas.
'The recognition of the MIPIM Award as the best 'Mixed Use' building in the world, has captured the profoundly urban character of Wonderwoods: a multipurpose and highly biodiverse architecture, open to the daily life of the citizens, plants and birds of Utrecht', said architect Francesca Cesa Bianchi during the award ceremony on 13 March.
Stefano Boeri is known for his innovate urban forestry designs. One of his most famous projects is the Bosco Verticale – literally the "Vertical Forest" – two residential towers covered in vegetation, built in Milan.
Completed in 2014, the creation received worldwide recognition in the architecture community, winning the 2014 International Highrise Award and the 2015 Best Tall Building Worldwide.
Stefano Boeri went on to replicate his design all over the world. In 2021, he opened the Trudo Vertical Forest in the Netherlands, applying for the first time his concept to a social housing complex. The Stefano Boeri Architetti studio also has ongoing projects in China and Dubai.
'I try to promote urban forestation because that's what we need," Boeri told Euronews in 2021. "We have to multiply the number of trees everywhere. And the reasons are very clear. It's a faster, cheaper and more inclusive way to try to take down global warming.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Euronews
2 hours ago
- Euronews
EU Research and Innovation Days return to Brussels in 2025
The European Commission's biggest annual research and innovation gathering is back for its sixth edition, promising two full days of debate, discovery and future-shaping policy conversations. European Research and Innovation (R&I) Days 2025 will take place on 16–17 September at The Square in Brussels, with full digital access available via the official online platform. Whether you're a seasoned researcher, policymaker, startup founder, student, or simply curious about where Europe is heading, the hybrid format makes it easy to take part and be heard. Join the conversation about the future of science in Europe – register now to attend the 2025 European Research and Innovation Days online. High-level speakers, big ideas This year's edition arrives at a crucial time for EU policy – as decisions loom on the next long-term budget and a suite of flagship strategies including the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the European Life Sciences Strategy, the AI in Science Strategy, and the European Innovation and European Research Area Acts. The event offers a timely space for discussion, with more than 20 sessions designed to tackle these pressing themes from a range of angles. The programme kicks off with a keynote from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by opening remarks from Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. From there, expect a lively series of panels, workshops and conversations with experts from across the continent – and beyond. Key themes on the agenda The agenda will touch on everything from the future of EU research funding to how Europe can become a global launchpad for startups and scaleups. Other sessions will explore how to support breakthrough innovation, strengthen life sciences, and navigate the opportunities and risks of dual-use technologies. There'll also be a strong focus on strengthening Europe's AI capabilities, improving science communication, and boosting industrial competitiveness – with a closer look at key sectors such as automotive and energy. Panels on academic freedom, research security, gender equality in STEM, and Europe's push toward the 3% R&D investment target round out a truly wide-ranging programme. Sessions will run across three parallel halls – Golden, Silver, and Copper – with all content available via livestream for online participants. Broadcast journalist Méabh McMahon of Euronews will return to moderate several key panels throughout the event. Known for her sharp interviewing style and deep understanding of European affairs, she'll be guiding conversations that get to the heart of the EU's research and innovation priorities. Expect candid exchanges, cross-sector insights, and challenging questions — all with the aim of opening up the dialogue between science and society. More than just panels Alongside the main sessions, R&I Days 2025 will feature networking opportunities, project showcases in an exhibition space featuring cutting edge research results, and a number of informal spaces for attendees to connect and collaborate. The programme also offers a look at how research connects to real-world impact. Topics like climate resilience, digital sovereignty, and STEM inclusion will be explored in both technical and accessible ways – ensuring that voices from all parts of the community can take part. Panels like "Protecting Academic Freedom Worldwide" and "Can Europe Afford to Ignore the Gender Gap in STEM?" underscore how science policy and social justice increasingly intersect. Meanwhile, sessions on science diplomacy and research security reflect growing geopolitical tensions and the role that knowledge can play in shaping a safer, more cooperative world. What's at stake? Beneath the lively discussions and policy detail, a key question runs through the event: how to keep Europe competitive, sustainable and inclusive in an age of rapid global change. Science and innovation are key to this ambition. Through frameworks like the European Green Deal, the EU is investing in research to drive climate action and support the green transition. In parallel, the EU Digital Strategy sets out a vision for technological sovereignty, data security and innovation. At the heart of it all is Horizon Europe – the EU's €95.5 billion research programme – which continues to support cross-border collaboration in everything from cancer research to renewable energy. And, looking to the future, the Commission's proposals for the next Horizon Europe programme after 2028 are set to feature prominently in discussions. A space for everyone One of the hallmarks of R&I Days is its inclusivity. The hybrid format means participants can join from anywhere in the world – and access panels in real time or on replay. Live Q&As, chat tools, artificial intelligence and translation features make the experience interactive and engaging for all. It's also a chance for early-career researchers, startups, civil society groups and citizens to get involved. Expect dedicated moments celebrating emerging talent, grassroots innovation and citizen science – all vital ingredients in the EU's innovation ecosystem.
LeMonde
21 hours ago
- LeMonde
France faces prospect of paying higher borrowing costs than Italy
As hard as it may be to take for France, many investors no longer have any doubt: Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Italy is now just as credible when it comes to public finances, if not more so. "Once at the bottom of the class in the European Union in terms of budget discipline, Italy is now in a position to give lessons to France," said independent economist Philippe Crevel in an analysis published at the end of July. Some observers see Italy, now led by the far right, as a model of fiscal discipline for its neighbor. The numbers most symbolic of the reversal are the interest rates that investors demand in exchange for holding the two countries' public debt. In 2011 and 2012, Italy was seen as so turbulent and unreliable that investors insisted on a premium of up to 400 basis points (4%) over French rates. When France paid 3% annual interest, Italy had to pay 7%. Since then, the risk premium has shrunk dramatically, dropping to less than five basis points for the main benchmark with a 10-year repayment period on August 15, a rate unprecedented since 2005. For five-year bonds, the gap between French and Italian debt on financial markets disappeared entirely in mid-July.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Euronews
Growth fades in Europe: Is the recovery already running out of steam?
Europe's economic momentum nearly stalled in the second quarter of 2025, with growth barely registering and industry output sliding sharply—raising concerns over whether the region's recovery is already running out of steam. According to Eurostat's second estimate released on Thursday, seasonally adjusted GDP in the euro area rose by just 0.1% in the three months to June, unchanged from the initial flash reading. The wider European Union (EU) grew by 0.2%, also in line with earlier estimates. These figures mark a stark slowdown from the robust first quarter, when GDP expanded by 0.6% in the eurozone and 0.5% across the EU thanks to strong export growth. In contrast, the United States economy bounced back strongly, posting a 0.7% quarterly expansion following a slight contraction in the first quarter. On an annual basis, eurozone GDP rose 1.4%, well behind Washington's 2.0% pace. Diverging national performances Beneath the headline figures, the recovery remains highly uneven across the bloc. Spain led the pack with 0.7% quarterly growth, fuelled by strong domestic demand and capital investment. Portugal followed with a 0.6% gain, while France managed a modest 0.3% expansion. However, both Germany and Italy, the eurozone's largest and third-largest economies, slipped by 0.1%. For Germany, the contraction reflects continued weakness in investment, particularly in construction and capital goods, while Italian output suffered from subdued consumption and softening industrial activity. Ireland saw the steepest drop, with output contracting by 1%. Elsewhere in the EU, growth was more robust in Eastern Europe, with Romania and Poland expanding by 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively, helped by resilient domestic demand and inflows from the Next Generation EU (NGEU) programme. Industrial downturn clouds outlook Adding to the worries, industrial production in the euro area dropped by 1.3% in June, reversing a 1.1% rise in May and missing expectations of a more moderate decline by 1%. The fall was broad-based, with capital goods production down 2.2% and non-durable consumer goods plunging 4.7%. In the wider EU, output fell by 1%. Among member states, Ireland recorded the largest monthly drop in industrial production at -11.3%, followed by Portugal and Lithuania. In contrast, Belgium, France and Sweden posted notable gains. US outpaces Europe, but sentiment is shifting While the euro area continues to lag behind the US, in terms of both output and productivity growth, Goldman Sachs believes that the sentiment is shifting towards Europe. Economists Giovanni Pierdomenico and Sven Jari Stehn note that Germany's fiscal policy pivot and heightened macroeconomic uncertainty in the US are helping shift investor attitudes. Goldman Sachs has upgraded its euro area growth forecast for 2027 by 1.2% since the start of the year, while downgrading its US projection by 1.7% over the same period. Portfolio flows into Europe have picked up, and the euro has strengthened notably against the dollar. Europe's long-term challenges and opportunities Despite the improved mood, Europe still faces deep structural challenges. Elevated energy costs—particularly for gas and electricity—continue to erode competitiveness. Low investment in high-growth sectors, regulatory fragmentation, and sluggish productivity gains further weigh on potential. In addition, China, once a key export market, has increasingly become a competitor, squeezing Europe's manufacturing base. Yet there are reasons for optimism. Increased public investment, driven by the NGEU programme and Germany's €500bn infrastructure plan, could support medium-term growth. Europe also remains a global leader in pharmaceuticals and has significant untapped potential in capital markets integration, digitalisation and green infrastructure. "Europe has opportunities to improve its economic performance through increased public investment, leadership in growth industries such as pharmaceuticals and green technologies, financial market reforms, and further integration of the internal market," Pierdomenico said. Efforts to deepen the single market—spurred by the European Commission's Competitiveness Compass, informed by the Draghi and Letta reports—are seen as vital steps to unlocking future growth. "European policymakers have a window of opportunity to build on this improved macro picture with reforms that lead to a lasting improvement in Europe's economic performance," Pierdomenico added. Goldman Sachs remains constructive on Europe's medium-term outlook, forecasting euro area growth above consensus for 2025–2028.
