- en
Lille includes plans to plant 20,000 trees in four years to make city greener
Lille is planning to plant 20,000 trees by 2026, with efforts to make the city greener underway.
City authorities headed by Mayor of Lille Martine Aubry pointed out that efforts include planting of seedlings, mature trees, urban micro-forests and more.
Approach and species are chosen based on particularities of each location and are in line with urban development plans, with the Lille administration noting that more than 17,000 trees were planted this season.
Authorities planted five new micro-forests and six schools were involved in broader greening efforts, helping Lille to adapt to climate change.
As part of planting efforts, soil was prepared to better nourish the trees and in some cases mycorrhizal fungi were introduced to form a symbiosis with the trees.
Besides planting new trees, Lille authorities removed asphalt from some areas to further reduce the heat island effect. Besides lowering the amount of asphalt, this makes the soil more permeable and makes more room for additional trees to be planted.
As part of environmental plans, Lille is looking to plant trees on 2,300 square metres along its longest street, which will create approximately 10,000 square metres of canopy.
City authorities reminded that courtyards and surroundings of all 79 public schools in Lille have been revegetated since 2021 and concluded that further efforts to make the areas greener are underway.
(Photo credit: Daniel Rapaich / Lille)
