How Ravenna Turned Climate Awareness into Community Action – One StoryMap at a Time
Ravenna has transformed climate awareness using StoryMap-digital narratives that make climate data accessible and engaging to the community.
In a world where climate change can feel distant and technical, the city of Ravenna chose a different path, one where citizens become protagonists and data is transformed into a story.
The Challenge
How can we make complex topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, risk scenarios, and climate adaptation understandable — and engaging — for the general public?
How can institutional planning be turned into community participation?
The answer: speak the language of the people! And use the power of maps, stories, and digital experiences.
The Project: P.R.A.T.I.C.A.
Ravenna launched P.R.A.T.I.C.A. — Platform in Ravenna for Transition, Innovation, Change, and Adaptation — to bring climate education and energy transition planning closer to citizens.
At the heart of this platform?
ArcGIS StoryMaps: powerful and interactive digital narratives that make climate data not only visible, but also understandable.
What We Delivered
Together with the Office for Sustainability Education of Ravenna, we built a structured and targeted digital ecosystem, with products aimed at different audiences:
- 2 Public Surveys (created with Survey123) to collect climate-related proposals and perceptions from businesses, residents, and young people
- 3 Dashboards:
- 2 public dashboards displaying real-time data on citizen contributions and local priorities.
- 1 private dashboard used by the client to view data from the public survey aimed at the general population.
- Custom visuals, infographics, icons, and maps designed to make the information clear and appealing.
“StoryMap-based storytelling was a complete novelty for our office: it represents a more engaging and effective way of communicating for a public administration, which is usually bound to formalities and a more complex, less direct language.
It was a real “refreshing” experience, where TeamDev guided us step by step with professionalism, great availability, and patience, providing both technical expertise and their experience in communication.”
Why It Worked
It wasn’t just a technology project. It was a community experience.
By combining citizen science, interactive storytelling, and clear data design, Ravenna:
- Turned climate policy into personal action.
- Reached diverse audiences — from students to local stakeholders.
- Gathered valuable insights to guide future decisions.
Built digital trust and engagement around an urgent topic.
A Model for Others
Ravenna’s digital storytelling platform is now a best practice in climate communication.
It shows how technology and empathy can go hand in hand to foster informed, aware, and resilient communities
The Moral
The climate transition is not just a government goal — it’s a shared journey.
And maps? They’re no longer just for roads — they’re for connecting people to purpose.
Who we worked with
The City of Ravenna is strongly committed to sustainability, climate action and digital innovation. Through inclusive and future-oriented projects, it engages citizens in building a more resilient and environmentally conscious community
