The city of Antwerp chose a unique solution to encourage its residents to plant gardens: they decorated the inside of the trams.
Inside the train that runs on the first line of the Belgian city, plants have been placed everywhere: on the ceiling, in the space between the windows, and even the green spaces reached between the seats.
In addition to providing people with an unusual and fun trip, it also conveyed an important message: it is worth caring for the park in the city
– Reports of unusual work euronews. The activity organized by the local organization “Vírágzó Szomszédság” (Buurt in Bloei) draws attention to the fact that a greener city is also a healthier one. They hope that the 35-meter green tramway will inspire others and serve as an additional inspiration so that more parts of the city can be greened thanks to people’s imagination.
Antwerp residents can apply for a hanging garden for free
As part of this initiative, the municipality provides free “hanging gardens” (eg vertical gardens, botanical gardens, balcony gardens) to those interested. This includes plants and wreaths between houses and trees. In addition, they also give financial assistance to anyone who wants to purchase a rainwater catcher, with which plants can be irrigated.
In the tram, which has been converted into a moving park, this has been brought to the attention of local residents in several ways: on the one hand, they can obtain more information using QR codes on the windows, and a municipality employee personally informed the passengers of the initiative.
This year, last year’s highly successful program is being repeated, when the people of Antwerp created more than 200 hanging gardens, 170 woodland areas and 100 “garlands”.
While planting the gardens, the municipality takes care of raising the sidewalks, laying out the farmland and planting, while the residents are responsible for taking care of the plants.
What are the advantages of urban gardens?
Increasing the amount of green spaces in the city is not only beneficial from an aesthetic point of view. Plants and trees help reduce temperatures in urban areas and mitigate the so-called “heat island” effect – when urban areas are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to human activities.
They also reduce environmental pollution and help make the air cleaner.
Even a small patch of green can be home to nests of birds, squirrels, and countless other beneficial insects.
In addition, spending just five minutes relaxing in such a green oasis improves mood, reduces stress and thus contributes to mental health.
