Tourism, Design and Climate Change: The Urban Glaciology Experiment at Fuorisalone 2024 Event

Antonella Senese, Cecilia D. Almagioni (), Davide Fugazza, Blanka Barbagallo, Lorenzo Cresi, Maurizio Maugeri and Guglielmina A. Diolaiuti
Additional contact information
Antonella Senese: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Cecilia D. Almagioni: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Davide Fugazza: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Blanka Barbagallo: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Lorenzo Cresi: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Maurizio Maugeri: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
Guglielmina A. Diolaiuti: Environmental Science and Policy Department, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy

Tourism and Hospitality, 2025, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Glacier retreat due to climate change is accelerating worldwide, yet the phenomenon remains abstract for many people, especially those unfamiliar with mountain environments. The Urban Glaciology experiment, conducted during Milan’s internationally renowned “Fuorisalone” 2024 design event, aimed to bridge this perceptual gap by simulating real glacier melt processes in a busy urban square. Three large ice blocks with contrasting surface conditions (i.e., clean, dirty, and debris-covered) were exposed to springtime urban temperatures, mimicking conditions found on Alpine glaciers during summer. Over one week, the blocks produced a total of 748 L of meltwater, with dirty ice melting up to four times faster than debris-covered ice, consistent with established albedo effects. These results confirmed the thermal analogy between Milan’s spring conditions (+15 to +20 °C) and the ablation season on Alpine glaciers. Visitors observed the differential melting in real time, supported by visual indicators, explanatory panels, immersive virtual experiences, and direct interaction with researchers and students. Informal interviews indicated that more than 60% of participants reported a perceptual shift, recognizing for the first time that urban temperatures can replicate glacier melting conditions. By embedding a science-based installation in a major cultural tourism event, the experiment reached a diverse, non-traditional audience—including tourists, designers, and citizens—and encouraged reflection on the implications of glacier loss. The success of this initiative highlights the potential of replicating similar models in other cities to raise awareness of environmental change through culturally engaging experiences.

Keywords: experiential tourism; urban sustainability; climate change impacts; climate change communication; ice melting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/4/168/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5768/6/4/168/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:4:p:168-:d:1741926

Access Statistics for this article

Tourism and Hospitality is currently edited by Mr. Philip Li

More articles in Tourism and Hospitality from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().