Huesca is among the Spanish cities with the largest area of green areas per inhabitant. The capital of Huesca currently has 150 hectares of urban green infrastructure, which translates into more than 26 square meters for each of its 56,303 inhabitants, according to data provided this Thursday by the City Council.
The figure places Huesca well above the 9 square meters of green areas per inhabitant that the Consistory indicates as the minimum recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, it places the city in figures similar to those of some of the municipalities that usually lead national studies in this area. The City Council puts Vitoria as a reference, with 26.76 square meters per inhabitant.
These data do not only include the large parks of Huesca. The concept of urban green infrastructure also encompasses tree pits and their trees, urban gardens, riverside areas, roundabouts, islands, wooded masses and even plots of land. The sum of all these spaces is what makes it possible to reach the 150 hectares currently counted in the capital of Alto Aragon.
ALMOST 19,000 TREES IN HUESCA
The municipal inventory currently includes 18,793 wooded positions, although to this amount must be added the existing trees on the Pie de Piedra hill, which are not yet included in the register. For this reason, the City Council estimates that there are approximately 19,000 trees in Huesca. Each specimen has an individual file with information such as its identification number, location, perimeter, height or dimensions of the crown.
The initial data collection was carried out between 2001 and 2005 and was later partially updated through a programme financed with European funds. From there, the additions and cancellations are incorporated on a continuous basis as planting or removal work is carried out.
NEW PLANTINGS AND IRRIGATION DURING THE FIRST YEARS
The City Council also maintains a contract for the supply and planting of trees with which the specimens that have not prospered are replaced and new trees are incorporated at the points selected by the Environment Area. The service also includes the irrigation of the new plantations during their first years of life, either by tank or using existing irrigation facilities.
The Municipal Ordinance of Green Areas and Urban Trees establishes that all new specimens must have an irrigation system. In addition to these actions, plantations linked to new urban developments and existing street improvement works are added.
A MAP TO CONSULT EACH TREE AND GREEN AREA
Residents can find out where a large part of these spaces and specimens are located through the citizen Arbomap, available on the website of the Huesca City Council. The tool allows you to consult each green area and know the square meters corresponding to the different types of surface, in addition to accessing the basic data of the trees included in the municipal inventory.
With more than 26 square metres of green infrastructure per inhabitant and around 19,000 trees, Huesca thus reinforces its position among the Spanish cities with the greatest presence of nature integrated into the urban environment.
