Brussels Mobility plants additional 1,150 trees on city streets

In an ongoing project to green up the city, Brussels Mobility has planted 1,150 trees along roads in three urban areas of the city, it announced on Wednesday.

Taking advantage of the winter planting season, the latest initiative includes 150 trees planted on Avenue du Bourget in Haren, 90 on Chaussée de Mons and a further 90 along the Ring.

Introducing greenery to hard shoulders, traffic islands and roundabouts has been underway in the Brussels region for the past three years.

Now Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) wants to accelerate the campaign with the launch of extra measures. "We are planning an additional €2 million to replace the grey of the city with green", she said.

Since the autumn, local projects with multidisciplinary teams have been working to increase soil permeability and improve the drainage of rainwater.

"These new plantations... are essential for taking local action against global warming and improving the quality of life in Brussels", added Brussels environment minister Alain Maron (Ecolo). "Trees are indeed natural air conditioners that can cool the air up to 8°C during heatwaves and regulate rainwater."

Work is also planned on Avenue Frans Van Kalken in Anderlecht later this month to increase surface permeability while improving the conditions for tree growth and biodiversity. More specifically, a strip of vegetation will link tree plantations to separate the cycle path from the road.

"Plants make us happy and keep us healthy," concluded the minister.

Photo: Brussels Mobility – Boulevard de la Woluwe