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Klima100

100 climate solutions from Danish Municipalities

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In Frederiksberg municipality, a tree planting project is an easily replicated climate adaptation project that also improves air quality.

Frederiksberg Municipality has planted trees on the roadside to mitigate the consequences of cloudbursts. In 2017, three projects with urban trees were completed which can handle 984 m3 of water in total. In 2018, nine more projects will be finished, expected to handle a further 1,295 m3. During regular showers, rainwater is naturally directed to the plant bed around the tree, reducing the need for irrigation, but it’s during exceptional cloudbursts that the system truly demonstrates its flood prevention properties. The water permeates through the soil and down to a sub-surface cloudburst reservoir, reducing strain on the drainage system. The trees also help to reduce urban heat island effect in summer and improve air quality throughout the year.

984
M3 OF WATER IS HANDLED IN THREE FACILITIES

During the project’s development, it was important to find a solution which was both modular and scalable. The solutions are adapted to dense urban spaces where permeable coverage and tree planting function in synergy. Such a solution will be applicable to most streets in densely populated cities.

Trees have natural interception, absorption, and evapotranspiration properties which help to delay surface run- off and aid vegetation growth.

How the Global Goals are addressed

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The tree project creates jobs and reduces municipal costs by 29 EUR per tree per year. At the same time, the trees help retain rainwater and thereby reduce the risk of cloudburst damages.

Climate Action

The trees improve air quality and reduce urban heat island effect in densely populated urban areas. According to the municipality, an urban tree with a volume of 1.5 m3 can store 1.5 tonnes of CO2.

Life on Land

Biodiversity is declining in cities overall, but projects that incorporate green elements in cloudburst protection solutions can help protect and even increase local biodiversity.