Urban forests New Living Spaces Right in the Heart of the City
Today, cities are one thing above all else: dense, impervious, and heavily used. Concrete, glass, and asphalt dominate large swaths of the urban landscape, trapping heat and preventing rainwater from seeping into the ground. Especially in the summer, the way the city feels changes: streets heat up, air stagnates between buildings, and cooling open spaces become rarer.
But perceptions of urban spaces are slowly changing as well. In cities like Paris, vegetation is gradually returning to the city. Where surfaces are being unsealed and trees are being planted, streets feel cooler, quieter, and more open. The city is beginning to breathe again.
The French organization Boomforest takes exactly this approach. It creates urban mini-forests on paved 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 between asphalt, 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 missing 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. Just like our 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 collaboratively, and effective in the long term.
Lightnet supports the Scottish Wildlife Trust
We are excited to partner with the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 2025 to support the restoration and conservation of two unique peatland areas in Scotland.