Extreme Weather Hampers Madrid’s Urban Forest Plans
Outrageous climate and tree pass-on-offs have hampered the Spanish capital’s arrangement to lay out a 75-kilometer forest, turning a “tree graveyard” into a political flashpoint
In mid-Walk, authorities in Madrid resumed an area of Cerro Almodóvar, a slope sitting above the southeastern edge of the city. The site’s former scrubland was transformed into an accessible green space, a new pedestrian access route was constructed, and trees were replanted.
If it weren’t connected to a larger project, the miniature urban revitalization might not have received much attention: the Bosque Metropolitano, also known as the Metropolitan Forest, is an ambitious plan to plant 75 kilometers (46. 55 miles) of forest around the capital of Spain. At the point when prepared, the orbital woods will highlight 1,000,000 new holm oak, poplar, debris, elm, and strawberry trees — the last option of which show up on Madrid’s emblem — connect existing parkland regions, recover landfill destinations, and make space for new games offices, including an instructive experience park for youngsters. Other than giving sporting conveniences, the undertaking likewise guarantees a large group of natural advantages for occupants, for example, moderating the metropolitan intensity island impact, further developing air quality and flood versatility, and retaining as much as 170,000 tons of carbon when the trees arrive at development inside around 12 years, the city
However, that lush future appears increasingly distant to some Madrileos.
The Bosque is experiencing serious problems, critics warn after four years. Due to the fact that only a fifth of newly planted saplings has been able to withstand drought seasons, a portion of the forest area near Cerro Almodóvar has been dubbed the “tree cemetery.
The forest has emerged as a political flashpoint ahead of March’s municipal elections. Opponents of the current administration began disseminating images of desolate terrain and discarded tree supports last month, claiming that the images accurately depicted the project’s actual state. The city’s residents responded with additional images depicting the dire state of the forest in various locations.
Thusly, safeguards of the Bosque brought up that another park along Madrid’s Stream Manzanares likewise looked pretty distressing soon after establishing a decade prior, however, is presently flourishing.
The Bosque Metropolitano is not just dealing with dying trees. The city cannot afford to purchase the 35,000 hectares of forest that were announced four years ago. Madrid government representatives have suggested leasing land as a compromise, endangering the forest’s long-term chances. A request for clarification was not received from the city.)
A representative of the Socialist Party, which is in opposition in Madrid but is in power nationally as part of a coalition, claims that the city has spent more than €35 million ($37. 8 million) but has only planted 0.74 percent of the proposed total area of the future forest. The city’s ruling coalition faces accusations of greenwashing because of the discrepancy between the Metropolitan Forest’s poor execution and its extensive publicity.
Additionally, the poor condition of many newly planted areas suggests that municipal officials made a rookie error by not adequately watering the trees, if at all. It is a prevalent issue. Many cities have set ambitious goals for new tree planting, but the saplings die or end up in a chipper because there wasn’t enough planning or money for maintenance. While planting young trees is relatively inexpensive, maintaining their health and providing them with water until they reach maturity can be time-consuming and costly.
The growing pains of the Bosque Metropolitan are also a sign of how climate change can be a major obstacle to projects that try to reduce its effects. For the beyond three years, the Castilian plain on which Madrid sits has encountered summer heat waves and decreased precipitation in pre-winter and winter, when the locale’s streams and groundwater repositories are typically recharged.
In the winter of 2021, the city experienced an intense snowstorm, which was unusual for a region where snow is typically restricted to the mountains surrounding it. This marked a significant break in the dry spell. The force of the blow meant that more than 94,000 trees had to be cut down, significantly reducing the size of the forests caused Madrid’s environment. As a result, the Metropolitan Forest transitioned from a project that aimed to expand the canopy over the city to one that, at least initially, would merely repair the damage caused by the storm.
In the years to come, a new forest may still flourish and expand, ultimately delivering many of its promised benefits for Madrid’s environment. Before broadleaf species explode into green in the spring, no new forest looks good in its early years. However, Madrid ought to learn from its past. Cautious watering and support are as fundamental for sound woods as planting — zeroing in excessively vigorously on the number of plantings alone dangers, plainly, missing the backwoods for the trees.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
