This summer, residents of Utrecht will be able to experience for themselves just how great the difference is between a concrete environment and a green space. From Saturday 20 June to Thursday 16 July, Trees for All will be creating a temporary woodland near the Jaarbeurs. Through this initiative, the foundation is drawing attention to the increasing heat in cities and kicking off the nationwide search for the Hottest Street in the Netherlands.
The woodland, featuring movable trees in containers, allows visitors around the Jaarbeurs to experience what trees mean for a liveable city. Amidst the trees, they can directly experience the cooling effect of greenery, whilst the surrounding paving and buildings retain heat. In cities such as Utrecht in particular, this contrast is becoming ever more pronounced due to climate change and the increasing paving over of residential areas.
Utrecht is one of the most urbanised cities
Research by Natuur & Milieu shows that more than half of all neighbourhoods in the largest Dutch municipalities are heavily paved. In Utrecht, this figure rises to almost 70 per cent. Due to the many buildings, pavements and roads, it can be up to 8 degrees warmer in the city on hot days than in the surrounding countryside.
This so-called ‘heat island effect’ has consequences for the health of city dwellers. Heat stress can lead to fatigue, sleep problems and loss of concentration. For vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and young children, the consequences can be even more serious. According to the RIVM, heat caused by climate change results in nearly 250 additional deaths each year.
Trees as a proven solution
Trees for All sees a clear solution: more trees in cities. “The temperature difference between streets with and without trees can reach at least 10 degrees during a heatwave,” says Stef Röell, director of Trees for All.
What’s more, trees improve air quality, boost biodiversity and reduce flooding during heavy rainfall. “Trees are therefore a proven solution for making cities more resilient to extreme heat and torrential downpours, which we are seeing more and more often due to climate change,” says Röell.
Jaarbeurs is providing space for the temporary woodland on Jaarbeursboulevard. “Our ambition is to be the most sustainable and innovative organiser and facilitator of events in Europe. We are keen to contribute to a healthy living environment in our city, and the mobile woodland fits in perfectly with this,” says Marloes van den Berg, Chief People & Sustainability Officer at Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs. “More green spaces in the city is a goal we are wholeheartedly committed to helping achieve.”
Search for the Hottest Street in the Netherlands
To coincide with the arrival of the temporary forest, Trees for All is launching a nationwide search for the Hottest Street in the Netherlands. Through a special ranking, based on data from the RIVM, residents can see how hot their street gets and how this compares to other streets and green spaces. The results will be compiled into a national ranking.
Anyone can take part in the campaign. Participants stand a chance of winning a starter kit for planting trees and will receive practical tips on how to make their street or garden greener. In addition, residents can apply for support via Trees for All’s GroenDoen Fund for joint greening initiatives in their neighbourhood.
Working together for a greener city
The temporary woodland will be on display at the Jaarbeurs from 20 June to 16 July and is made possible in part by a contribution from the Ondernemers Fonds Utrecht (OFU) and FlexibiliTree.
