Tree offensive in Linz: Green sign against heat in the Andreas-Hofer district!

Tree offensive in Linz: Green sign against heat in the Andreas-Hofer district!

Wiener Straße, 4020 Linz, Österreich - In the summer of 2023, Linz was confronted with extreme temperatures: the city counted 35 heat days and 19 tropical nights in total. A tropical night is defined as a night in which the temperatures between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. do not fall below 20 degrees Celsius. The Andreas-Hofer district, especially Wiener Strasse near the Otto Glöckel School, was particularly affected, where 28 tropical nights were registered. This development clearly shows the need for measures in climate protection and to adapt to the changed climatic conditions.

In order to counteract the challenges of high temperatures and the associated quality of life, the city of Linz plans a comprehensive tree offensive. This measure is part of the climate adaptation concept "Future Linz", which includes concrete steps for the city's climate -friendly transformation. As part of the tree offensive, around 20 new tree locations between the Union crossing and the Bulgariplatz are to be created or renovated, reports [OE24] (https://www.oe24.at/oesterreich/chronik/oberoesterreich/baumoffensive- opposite-im-linzer-suede/637458147).

projects for microclimate improvement

The new trees are not only decorative elements, but should actively contribute to improving the microclimate in this urban area. Studies show that shadow-giving trees are essential for the microclimate by lowering the temperatures and increasing the humidity, as on schwammstadt.de. The importance of vegetation is increased in particular by the fact that climate change in cities leads to more heat stress through dense buildings and surface sealing.

The tree offensive also provides for the planting of trees in front of the Otto Glöckel School, where the highest number of tropaks was found in 2024. This measure should not only shade the sidewalks, but also increase the quality of stay for residents. Pre -damaged Robinia on the central island are replaced by large, shade -giving trees. The start of the implementation work is planned for autumn 2025, followed by a presentation of the project in September 2025 in the Volkshaus Kandlheim for residents and interested parties.

Need for action

Climate city councilor Eva Schobesberger underlines the urgency of this initiative and emphasizes the need to protect and expand the city's green belt. This step is not only a reaction to past heat periods, but also a preventive measure: in 2023 June was particularly pronounced by June with five heat wave days, July with 17 and August with 15 heat wave days.

The city of Linz also operates six of its own measuring stations to precisely record temperature data. This serves not only to monitor the climate, but also to plan future measures to improve the quality of life of all citizens of Linz. Due to the active design of the city size, the health burdens that go hand in hand with the increasing heat days should also be counteracted.