Bologna boasts a significant gardening industry and the city has been making a name for itself as a hub for innovative gardening techniques, particularly in urban settings. One such technique is rooftop farming, which not only promotes local food production, but also addresses concerns about sustainability in the city. A 2018 study conducted in the community rooftop garden of a public housing building in Bologna shed light on the efficacy of different cultivation techniques. From lettuce grown using nutrient film, floating hydroponic and soil cultivation methods to crops like tomato, chili pepper, eggplant, melon and watermelon, researchers analyzed the environmental and economic performance of each approach. The findings revealed intriguing insights. Floating lettuce production during summer months proved most effective, boasting a 65–85% reduction in environmental impact compared to nutrient film cultivation. Conversely, soil-based lettuce cultivation excelled during winter, offering an impressive 85–95% reduction in environmental impact. From a cost perspective, floating production was found to be 25% cheaper in summer, while soil cultivation emerged as 65% cheaper during winter months. Eggplants and tomatoes demonstrated the best environmental performances, emitting just 74 grams of CO2 per kilogram. Soil-based eggplant production emerged as the most cost-effective option, priced at a mere 0.13 euros per kilogram. Bologna also hosts EIMA International, a biennial exposition showcasing cutting-edge machinery for agriculture and gardening. Organized by FederUnacoma in collaboration with BolognaFiere, EIMA International serves as a global platform for manufacturers to unveil the latest advancements in agricultural technology. With fourteen merchandise sectors and specialized salons like EIMA Green and EIMA Digital, the expo attracts industry professionals and enthusiasts alike from over sixty countries. It’s a fertile environment for local businesses to stand side by side with nearly 2000 exhibitors and find their target audience. EIMA consistently generates revenue for the local economy.