Dutch city swaps asphalt for trees to adapt to climate change

Arnhem in the Netherlands has made a 10-year plan to re-landscape the city to cope with extreme flooding and heatwaves caused by climate change . Flooding, heatwaves and droughts are already affecting the city, prompting the council to set a goal of reducing the amount of asphalt – a dark material used for roads and sidewalks that absorbs heat and increases water runoff – by 10 per cent for 2030. Targets set for increasing green space Selected roads will be replaced by grass, and trees will be planted to provide shade for other routes, cooling parts of the city. Switching asphalt for greenery will also help with flooding, and Arnhem aims for 90 per cent of all rainfall to be diverted from its sewer system. Residents and entrepreneurs with an idea on how to make the city more resilient against heatwaves, flooding and droughts can apply for a subsidy through an initiative called Initiatives Climate Adaptation. This scheme has €450,000 (£402,000) to give over the next three years. Arnhem suffers floods and heatwaves The city, which sits 13 metres above sea level, has experienced serious flooding in recent years, while droughts have dried up its parks and gardens. “Many […]

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