Feature
The town that planted shade before it planted parking
A southern town replaced a car park with 140 trees. Summer temperatures in the square fell by four degrees.
Cities & climate reporter
7 min read
The trees were planted in 2021. The square is now the coolest place in town.
The car park held 90 cars and reached 52 degrees on the hottest afternoons. Five years ago the council removed it and planted 140 trees in its place.
Shopkeepers protested. Most of them now open later in the evening.
Measuring the difference
Sensors in the square show afternoon temperatures four degrees lower than in nearby streets. The cafés that complained loudest now have the busiest terraces.
We lost ninety parking spaces and gained a place people actually want to be in July.
Parking moved to the edge of town, with a free shuttle. Usage was low at first and has doubled since.
Not a simple copy
Trees need water in exactly the summers when water is scarce. The town irrigates with treated wastewater, which took three years to approve.
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Priya Raman
Cities & climate reporter
Priya reports on cities, heat and the infrastructure we will need to live with both.
