Brussels' ambitious tree planting plans add 1,200 new blooms

About 1,200 trees have been planted in the Brussels region since the start of the planting season, according to Brussels Mobility, the administration responsible for public works.

One of the main target areas for planting was Place Flagey in Ixelles. Over the winter, new trees were also planted on Boulevard Mettewie, in the small park near Square de Trooz and on Boulevard du Neuvième de Ligne.

Further planting is planned, for example on avenue Bossaert near the E40 motorway and on the Brussels ring road near Anderlecht.

Brussels Mobility said it was constantly monitoring the progress of some 37,000 trees across the capital and is committed to greenifying city spaces.

One reason for the ambitious planting plans is to combat the urban heat island effect in the city. Another is to improve health outcomes in the Belgian capital, where air pollution is among the worst in all of Europe.

Since 2020, Brussels Mobility has also embarked on a number of local projects to increase soil permeability and improve run-off water management through the planting of trees.

This is the case when it comes to the works currently underway on Place Flagey, where the aim is to demineralise around 1,200m², plus an additional 320m² in the Place Sainte-Croix and almost 300m² in neighbouring streets.

In addition to trees, flower beds and shrubs are also being added.