Salamanca is one of the 210 cities in 24 countries recognized by the international program ‘Tree Cities of the World 2024’, awarded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Arborday Foundation, through the Arbocity Association in Spain, for its «commitment to urban trees.»
The capital of Tormes joins San Cristóbal de la Laguna (Tenerife), Carmona (Seville), and Tres Cantos (Madrid) in the latest recognitions granted, as reported by the City Council in a statement collected by Europa Press.
In addition, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Cieza (Murcia), Las Rozas (Madrid), Rivas Vaciamadrid (Madrid), and the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona celebrate their fifth consecutive year as part of the international program ‘Tree Cities of the World’, reaffirming their commitment to trees alongside Madrid, Majadahonda (Madrid), Malaga, Inca (Majorca), Onda (Castellón), and Valencia.
Arbocity emphasizes that the hard work and commitment of these cities «not only beautify our urban environments but also significantly contribute to the health and quality of life of their inhabitants.»
This recognition adds to the Tree Award granted to Salamanca in 2022 by the Forum of Cities of Madrid Ifema for the promotion of urban natural spaces to promote the health and well-being of the city’s inhabitants sustainably.
In this context, the City Council of Salamanca continues to develop the Green Infrastructure Strategy, Savia, to «contribute to an even healthier city with a higher quality of life.»
The latest tree and shrub plantations carried out in the city raise the number of trees to over 93,300 and shrubs to almost 48,200 in the half a thousand municipal green areas distributed throughout all neighborhoods of the city. In total, there are 9,227 more trees and shrubs than a year ago.
The City Council of Salamanca has indicated that this number will increase from this year with 30,000 new trees in 51 green areas, 34 streets, and 15 forest areas through an investment of 500,000 euros from the surplus of the local administration in 2024.
Also, actions will be taken in the Carmelitas and Doctor Torres Villarroel promenades to green them with an investment of 85,000 euros in each of them.
ONE TREE PER INHABITANT
On the other hand, the City Council of Salamanca has highlighted that the municipal green areas total 2,740,591.86 square meters, 11,000 more than a year ago. Thus, there are 18 square meters per inhabitant, double the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to live in a healthy environment.
As indicated, these figures do not include the tree mass of the Tormes riverbank, under the jurisdiction of the Duero Hydrographic Confederation (CHD), as well as the Miguel de Unamuno university campus and private courtyards.
Therefore, if all the green areas of the municipal term of Salamanca are added up, there is currently at least one tree per inhabitant.