Madrid will build Europe’s largest metropolitan forest
The forest, nicknamed “El Bosque Metropolitano” (Metropolitan Forest), will be the new green lung of Madrid and will have more than 450 thousand trees and other types of vegetation. It is part of the Madrid 360º plan, which includes a series of measures to improve air quality in the city and comply with the emission limits imposed by the European Commission.
The forest will extend along a 75-kilometer environmental belt on the outskirts of the Spanish capital and will feature new parks, children’s areas, dog trails and walking and cycling trails for residents and tourists.
The first trees will be planted in October and will include several native species. According to the city’s vice president, Begoña Villacís, cited by The Local, this forest could be the largest green infrastructure to be built in Europe in the next decade.
El Bosque Metropolitano is a long-term project that will take about 12 years to complete. When it reaches maturity, the authorities predict that the forest will absorb about 170 thousand tons of carbon emissions, improve biodiversity, reduce noise pollution and be a thermal regulator of the city.
