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Madrid's poorest neighbourhoods demand more trees to cool the streets during deadly heatwaves

Madrid's poorest neighbourhoods demand more trees to cool the streets during deadly heatwaves

Madrid was sweltering at the height of one of Spain’s longest heatwaves. The temperature in a street of one of the poorest neighbourhoods of the city - Puente Vallecas – measured 41.4 degrees Celsius (106,5 Fahrenheit) early that afternoon.

Few hundred metres away, it was 38.6 C.

What's the difference? The difference?

According to studies, trees are able to play a vital role in reducing the deadly effects of heatwaves. As temperatures rise in Spain as a result global warming, they could play a critical role in helping regulate temperatures.

Activist groups, however, say that Madrid is losing trees, especially in its poorer neighborhoods, and are pressing the mayor to plant them more.

The difference in temperature between streets with and without trees has an immediate effect on health, said Manuel Mercadal. He is a member Sustainable Vallekas. They have been measuring the differences to raise awareness.

San Diego, part of Puente Vallecas, recorded some of the highest temperatures of Madrid according to a study by the Polytechnic University of Madrid. The study identified "urban heat island" areas where temperatures could be up to 8 C higher in comparison with other parts of Madrid such as parks.

Pablo Chivato is the coordinator of Puente de Vallecas neighbourhood association. He said that many homes cannot afford air conditioning.

Heatwaves that are more frequent have a negative impact on the elderly, particularly those who already suffer from cardiac issues, according to Antonio Cabrera. He is a family physician at a primary health care center in La Elipa, in the southeast of Madrid.

Winter in Europe has traditionally been associated with higher mortality rates. Cabrera stated that many people who are 80-90 years old and have multiple health problems die during this time of the year.

TREE CRASHES

With temperatures rising, trees are becoming a political concern. Since he took office in 2019, Madrid's mayor Jose Luis Martinez Almeida, has been at odds with environmental activists over trees.

The official data shows that the number of trees increased by 2,4% during Almeida’s tenure, but this was mainly in the middle-income districts that are expanding in the east. The southern districts all lost trees except for one.

Puente de Vallecas lost 1,314 or 3%, of its total cover in trees since 2019.

A heavy snowstorm that hit 2021 killed about 80,000 trees. Many trees are cut down as part of the city's construction projects.

The Mayor's Office did not respond to an inquiry for comment.

Mas Madrid, a left-wing party in Madrid, has pledged 75,000 additional trees to ensure that there is one tree for every seven metres (23ft) of city.

Lola Mendez, of the environmental group Ecologists in Action, explained that, in some circumstances, local councils can create a fund to cover costs associated with planting new trees.

Almeida’s office has said that it has planted almost 40,000 trees under a 2022 plan.

In 2023, the city published data showing that 1,318 trees had been planted in Puente de Vallecas but 719 tree pits remained uncovered. More recent data has not been published by the city.

Chivato stated that his neighbourhood association, in collaboration with the San Diego mayor's office, planted trees in 75% empty tree pits located in the Puente de Vallecas neighborhood. Many remain empty.

(source: Reuters)