Urban Planning, Ecological Transition, Urban Services and Housing

The congress is an important event for exchanging knowledge between cities in the world and their urban tree management. The value of trees in improving the liveability of urban environments needs to be taken into account.

Barcelona is hosting the 19th National Congress of Arboriculture on 28 and 29 September. The event is being held at the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) and features 13 experts of international prestige in the field of arboriculture, including two municipal specialists from Barcelona City Council.

Organised jointly with the Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens, the congress features different speakers and debate panels based around trees in urban settings.

One of the main topics at the congress is soil as a key element in the planning and development of the urban environment. Other questions will also be tackled from all angles, such as tree coverage strategies, the benefits of trees in terms of comfort, health and welfare, plus sustainable underground drainage systems (SUDS) and more.

In this respect, the congress offers a space for knowledge and experience to tackle one of the main challenges of the 21st century: sustainable urban development. The event also highlights the role of trees in improving the liveability of cities.

Barcelona, city of trees

Barcelona is an example of a city with a large number of trees around its streets. It is actually one of the densest cities in Europe in terms of trees.

The city has a lack of large green spaces, meaning that trees have had to be added wherever possible to boost vegetation, making each and every tree essential from social, health and environmental perspectives.

It was in Barcelona that the “Tree Charter” or “Barcelona Charter” was drafted in 1995, a document classing trees as one of the backbones of the city. Over 40 municipalities have signed up to the document since then.

Full information on the 19th National Congress of Arboriculture can be found on the website, or the full programme downloaded here.