Munich is getting hotter. On summer days, that’s why Munich residents are drawn to places where trees provide shade: along the Isar or in the English Garden.

But everyday life often takes place elsewhere—on streets and in public spaces that heat up significantly during the day and barely cool down at night. These heat islands are increasingly posing a threat to public health, the economy, and social inclusion in our city.

München scheidet im bundesweiten Vergleich bei Grünflächen sehr schlecht ab. Bei einer Analyse des Grünanteils von Großstädten landet die Stadt nur auf Platz 74 von 79.

At the same time, the number of trees has continued to decline: Between 2010 and 2019, Munich lost approximately 23,000 trees.

Trees are one of the most effective and, at the same time, most natural solutions to the climate crisis in cities. They make several key contributions:

• Cooling and Heat Protection
  Trees lower the ambient temperature by about 2 °C through shade and evaporation. On a larger scale, they can cool entire neighborhoods by up to 4 °C—a significant difference during hot summers.
• Clean Air
  Trees act as natural filters: they absorb fine dust and pollutants from the air, thereby noticeably improving air quality.
• Water Storage
  Trees store rainwater, promote infiltration, and reduce the burden on the sewer system during heavy rainfall. In this way, they help prevent flooding and make the city more climate-resilient.
• Biodiversity in the City
  City trees provide habitats for birds, insects, and other animals. They help preserve biodiversity even in urban areas.
• Reduced cooling needs and energy savings
  By providing shade, trees cool buildings in the summer and reduce the energy required for air conditioning by about 30%. In the winter, they also provide protection from the wind and reduce heat loss.
• Quieter Streets
  Rows of trees reduce street noise by scattering and absorbing sound waves. This can lower noise levels by about 2 to 8 decibels.