Green War in the Heart of Lisbon: Sidewalks Are Planted in Arroios

In Arroios, one of the liveliest neighborhoods of Lisbon, the streets are undergoing a determined transformation to get rid of the concrete piles and breathe a little. The Regional Council launched a silent but effective move against heat islands that make the city uninhabitable, especially in the summer heat. The spots, which were previously just empty spaces or dead areas, are turning into green oases with the removed paving stones.

Dead Areas Are Greening, Parking Lots Create Controversy

One of the clearest examples of the application can be seen on Calçada de Arroios street. A total of 11 trees are planted on this 350 meter long route. However, this move also sparked a small-scale political crisis in the neighborhood. The cancellation of only two parking spaces drew the reaction of local opposition. Members of the Social Democratic Party in the region opposed the situation, arguing that the trees were used as a political tool to restrict parking rights.

However, the local government does not step back. The team carrying out the project emphasizes that trees grown in pots cannot survive the scorching summer of Lisbon, so they focus directly on the soil and dead areas where underground infrastructure is suitable. The aim is clear: to increase the amount of insufficient green space per capita and to make the neighborhood resilient to the climate crisis.

Not Just Calçada de Arroios

The transformation is not limited to just one street. In places such as Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, areas that remain idle and cannot be parked due to garage exits are being utilized. With the concrete pits opened here, illegal parking is prevented and the shade areas that the neighborhood residents need most are created.

This step of Arroios actually serves as a model for all of Lisbon. In the region, which falls far behind the per capita green area target recommended by the World Health Organization, this struggle for each tree clearly shows how valuable the quality of urban life has become.

Source: This content was compiled from Lisboa Para Pessoas news.

Image Source: Lisboa Para Pessoas (LPP) and Arroios Regional Council (JFA) Archives.