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

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

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

In order to counteract the challenges of high temperatures and the associated quality of life, the city of Linz is planning a comprehensive tree offensive. This measure is part of the climate adaptation concept “Future Linz”, which includes concrete steps for the climate-friendly transformation of the city. As part of the tree offensive, around 20 new tree sites are to be created or renovated between the Union intersection and Bulgariplatz, reports oe24.

Microclimate improvement projects

The new trees are not just decorative elements, but are intended to actively contribute to improving the microclimate in this urban area. Studies show that shade trees are essential for the microclimate by lowering temperatures and increasing humidity, as explained on schwamstadt.de. The importance of vegetation is particularly reinforced by the fact that climate change is leading to more heat stress in cities due to dense development and surface sealing.

The tree offensive also includes planting trees in front of the Otto Glöckel School, where the highest number of tropical nights was recorded in 2024. This measure is not only intended to shade the sidewalks, but also to increase the quality of stay for residents. Previously damaged locust trees on the central island will be replaced by large, shade-providing trees. The implementation work is scheduled to begin in autumn 2025, followed by a presentation of the project in September 2025 in the Volkshaus Kandlheim for residents and interested parties.

Necessity of 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 waves, but also a preventive measure: In 2023, June was particularly pronounced 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 not only serves to monitor the climate, but also to plan future measures to improve the quality of life of all Linz citizens. The active design of urban green spaces is also intended to counteract the health risks associated with increasingly hot days.