On Saturday September 9th, during the European Respiratory Society’s International Congress, Stefano Boeri receives the ELF Award, a recognition from the European Lung Foundation that rewards figures who have made “an outstanding contribution to the service of human health in the respiratory field”. In particular, the award is presented to Stefano Boeri “for his work to improve air quality in urban environments”.
The European Lung Foundation (ELF), founded by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) in 2000, is an organisation that works internationally to bring patients and the public together with healthcare professionals to improve lung health and advance the diagnosis, treatment and care of respiratory diseases.
The ELF Award 2023, assigned to Stefano Boeri, is intended to highlight the efforts and projects developed by Stefano Boeri, both with the Forestami initiative and with the work of Stefano Boeri Architetti, to integrate living nature into the urban environment: several international studies have in fact shown that living and working in close contact with trees and plants can lead to a reduction in stress levels and an improvement in physical and mental health, with a positive impact on lung health.
ELF President Kjeld Hansen commented on the award: “We are delighted to honour Stefano Boeri with our annual award. His work represents an innovative and sustainable approach to architecture and urban planning. By taking innovative steps forward in the field and inspiring other architects, his work has the potential to benefit the environment and the health and well-being of generations to come.”
Stefano Boeri commented:
“I am happy and proud of this important recognition. Our ‘Green Obsession’ design approach brings together 20 years of ideas and projects aimed at bringing living nature and in particular trees and forests into our cities. We need to put trees and plants wherever we can: in squares, courtyards, boulevards, on roofs and house facades. Indeed, the two great challenges of biodiversity and coexistence between living species are at the heart of any project for ecological transition and reducing the damage caused by climate change. Our Green Obsession is therefore a work commitment and at the same time a feeling that we would like to share with anyone who looks at the future of our cities and our species on the planet with courage and optimism’.
Previous awardees include former New York City Mayor Michael Rubens Bloomberg, Norwegian Olympic rowing champion Olaf Tufte and the World Health Organisation.
For more information: https://europeanlung.org/en/news-and-blog/leading-architect-honoured-with-european-award-for-his-work-to-improve-air-quality-in-urban-environments/
The news was also reported by Requadro, Corriere della Sera, Adnkronos, 24 Ovest, AgiMeg, Edicola del Sud, Il Quotidiano del Lazio, Time News, Gazzetta di Milano, NAN Arquitectura, Build in Digital, Le Journal de l’Architecte, SmartCity Web.