For the sixth consecutive year, Madrid has been recognized as the ‘Arboreal City of the World’ by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation. It is the only Spanish municipality that has achieved this distinction in all editions since its creation. This was announced on Wednesday by the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, during his visit to Retiro Park, where he received this award from the responsible for the Tree Cities of the World program at the Arbor Day Foundation, Sophia Plitt. As Almeida pointed out, this prestigious award is a demonstration of the commitment that the City of Madrid has to the proper management and conservation of urban trees and green areas in the city.
The Mayor of Madrid visited the city’s green lung this morning, coinciding with the 90th anniversary of its declaration as an artistic garden, the current figure of Cultural Interest, on February 8, 1935. He was accompanied by the delegate for Urban Planning, Environment, and Mobility, Borja Carabante, and the delegate for Cleaning and Green Areas, José Antonio Martínez Páramo.
The Mayor highlighted the government’s commitment to improving the green and sustainable conditions of the city of Madrid, with the planting of 500,000 trees during this term to create «a friendlier, more pleasant city adapted to climate demands,» which every month achieves better air quality records.
Likewise, Almeida emphasized «the commitment» to the Arbor Day Foundation, the United Nations, and all the people of Madrid «so that they can enjoy a greener city every day» through the renaturalization of consolidated urban spaces such as the undergrounding of the A-5 and the M-30 at the Ventas Bridge and the northern area of the Castellana, «which will transform thousands and thousands of square meters into green areas» or the improvement of maintenance of the 3,800 parks and green spaces in Madrid, such as the Metropolitan Forest, «a 75-kilometer belt that embraces the entire city and is a symbol of the best sustainability policies» or Retiro Park, «the great green heritage lung» in the heart of the capital «and an example of the good practices that we have implemented.»
On the other hand, Sophia Plitt congratulated the City of Madrid for this recognition «which only 22 cities in the world have,» a testament to the «leadership, commitment, and dedication to the green future of this wonderful city that is an inspiration to all of us.» She also emphasized that «with cities like Madrid, we are confident that this movement will continue to grow,» as «by investing in urban forests and promoting collaboration, we will ensure that cities are greener, more sustainable, and more resilient.»
One of the most treed cities in the world
Madrid is one of the most treed cities in the world (26% of its territory), more than Toronto (24%), New York (21%), Edinburgh (17%), or London (14%). It has 5.7 million trees of 500 different species and 3,800 green areas, parks, and gardens.
The government’s effort to create more green spaces and ensure that they all remain in good condition is reflected in the budget allocated to the matter. From 2019 to the end of 2024, Madrid has invested 114 million euros in 124 actions for the creation and improvement of green areas, of which 99 have been completed.
Furthermore, since November 2021, the city has allocated 48.3% more budget to maintenance, cleaning, and conservation services for parks and gardens. All of this has led to the recognition by the UN as an Arboreal City, for which the capital has met the five essential requirements to receive this distinction: having a tree management structure, maintaining an updated census, ensuring financial resources for conservation, having specific regulations for care, and promoting citizen awareness through events and activities.
Madrid is establishing itself as an international benchmark in the management and conservation of urban trees to maximize their environmental benefits such as improving air quality, reducing carbon footprint, and regulating urban climate. The capital is becoming a more sustainable place to live, prioritizing the quality of life of its residents.
Proper tree management also contributes to water sustainability by facilitating rainwater absorption, preventing soil erosion, and promoting biodiversity by providing shelter and food for numerous species, thus favoring ecological balance in the city.
A global network of committed cities
The ‘Tree Cities of the World’ program not only aims to optimize the management of urban tree resources but also seeks to establish a global network of cities that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices. Its goal is to promote the sustainability of forests and green spaces. This initiative is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda, which promotes more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. In the 2024 edition, a total of 210 arboreal cities worldwide have been designated, corresponding to 24 countries.
This program was born in 2018 thanks to the collaboration between the FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation and was presented in Mantua, Italy, during the first World Forum on Urban Forests. Its inspiration comes from Tree City USA, an initiative launched in 1976 in the United States, which brings together more than 3,400 communities and promotes good practices in urban tree management. In addition to raising awareness among the population about the importance of trees and their care, this platform provides a reference framework for the administration and expansion of green areas in cities.
Impact of the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a non-profit organization with over one million members and followers worldwide, working since 1972 on tree planting as a key tool to address major urban environmental challenges. To date, it has planted over 500 million trees in more than 60 countries and aims to achieve the goal of planting another 500 million by 2027, prioritizing areas with the greatest need.
The foundation promotes the strategic use of trees as an effective solution to improve air and water quality, mitigate climate change, reduce deforestation, and address social issues such as poverty and hunger. /
