Toulouse plans to plant up to 100,000 new trees by end of this decade

News

Toulouse is planning to plant 100,000 trees by 2030 as part of broader environmental efforts. Headed by Mayor of Toulouse Jean-Luc Moudenc, city authorities stressed the importance of planting trees and making Toulouse greener as this helps in the fight against global warming and makes the urban environment more liveable.

Urbanised areas frequently suffer from the heat island phenomenon, which can be addressed by planting more trees as counterbalance to concrete and asphalt.

Temperatures may be several degrees lower in wooded environments, which makes them more comfortable to live in, especially in the hottest parts of the year.

Toulouse authorities pointed out that, as part of the plan, more than 25,000 trees have been planted since the start of 2020.

This year, the city turned courtyards of five schools into urban oases by replacing asphalt with soil, trees, shrubs, perennials and agility courses. In the period up to 2024, Toulouse plans to do the same in 14 more schools.

Parking spaces in some streets have been replaced with rows of trees and city authorities mobilised schoolchildren in Jolimont district to plant 600 trees and build a micro-forest. In the coming weeks, additional 600 or so will be planted.

Stressing that everyone should help in the fight against climate change, city authorities invited businesses and residents to take part in the tree planting project.

The city pointed out that the list of tree species most suitable for the local climate is available to inspire residents, as are instruction on planting, management and maintenance methods.

(Photo credit: Matt Artz / Unsplash)