Genius idea / Antwerp is encouraging residents to cultivate trees and plants

2023-06-15 07:52:00, Kuriozitete CNA

The leaf-filled tram in Antwerp was part of a local council initiative called "Neighborhood in Bloom".

If you rode the tram in the Belgian city of Anteerp last week you definitely saw a garden inside.

Why did Antwerp turn the tram into a garden?

The aim of the scheme is to encourage residents to get involved in gardening in order to make their town a greener and healthier place to live.

By turning the 35-meter-long tram into a moving garden, it hopes to inspire others to think creatively about spaces that could use some greenery.

As part of the initiative, Anteerpen council is offering all new urban gardeners free gardens.

Those living in the inner city district can ask the council for plants, wreaths to hang between houses in streets and trees.

The council will also offer financial assistance to those who want to buy a barrel of water to irrigate their gardens.

When passengers board the garden tram, there is a member of staff informing passengers about the council's initiative. There are also QR codes attached to the window with more information.

The scheme is being repeated after last year's great success, when Antwerp residents were inspired to create over 200 gardens, 170 tree areas and 100 crowns.

When it comes to installing gardens, the district council is responsible for paving, paving and planting, while residents must then maintain the shrubs and greenery.

What are the benefits of urban gardens?

Adding more trees to urban environments isn't just aesthetically pleasing.

Plants and trees help reduce temperatures in cities and mitigate the so-called "urban heat island" effect - where urban areas are significantly hotter than surrounding rural areas as a result of human activities.

They also reduce pollution and help clean the air. Plus, even a five-minute walk in a garden lifts your mood and improves your mental health./ CNA