Urban forests New Living Spaces in the Heart of the City
Today, cities are one thing above all else: dense, sealed and heavily used. Concrete, glass and asphalt dominate large swathes of the urban landscape, trapping heat and preventing rainwater from seeping away. In summer, in particular, the feel of the city changes: streets heat up, air stagnates between buildings, and cooling open spaces become scarcer.
Yet the way we view urban spaces is also slowly changing. In cities such as Paris, vegetation is gradually returning to the city. Where surfaces are unsealed and trees are planted, streets feel cooler, quieter and more open. The city is beginning to breathe again.
This is precisely the approach taken by the French organisation Boomforest. It creates urban mini-forests on sealed or unused land, using the Miyawaki method: native species grow close together, competing for light and space. Within a few years, dense forest structures emerge – shaded spaces amidst the tarmac, building facades and traffic. Insects, birds and small mammals find food, shelter and refuge here. Structures develop between the different layers of vegetation that are often lacking in urban spaces. In this way, they noticeably transform the feel of the city.
Our partnership with Boomforest
Lightnet France is supporting Boomforest as a partner this year. As with its previous collaborations with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and One Earth One Ocean, this commitment is based on a simple principle: concrete projects that make a difference – rooted in the local community, implemented jointly and with a long-term impact.
Lightnet supports the Scottish Wildlife Trust
We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 2025 to support the restoration and conservation of two unique peatland areas in Scotland.