15 000 trees planted in Zdiby for better air
29.03.2024
Over the past 11 months, Zdibi has managed to plant over 15,000 trees and shrubs in 21 selected locations in the municipality. These measures to improve air quality were based on extensive air quality measurements, which identified traffic as the main sources of pollution, as well as local heating sites. Therefore, in addition to planting greenery, the municipality also focused on detailed air quality measurements at the most affected locations.
The planting of greenery is being carried out within the framework of grant projects supported by Norwegian funds. Apart from the aesthetic benefits, the greenery filters pollutants from the air, improves the microclimate, retains water in the landscape, promotes biodiversity and reduces traffic noise. Part of the planting is concentrated in the built-up areas of the village, specifically along the main road in Zdiby, where it will have the greatest benefit. Another part of the planting forms a buffer ring around the village, which will insulate Zdibi from air pollution and noise from surrounding traffic.
By planting, the municipality is not only solving existing problems, but also trying to prevent future ones. „At present, the biggest burden is traffic, mainly from the D8 motorway, but also from regional through roads. In the future, the situation will be exacerbated by the planned trans-European transit motorway D0. In 2030, the air pollution limits are to be halved, and the current completion plan does not take this into account. The construction of the D0 will mean increased traffic for Zdiby and it will be unrealistic to meet the limits,“ says the mayor of Zdiby, Eva Slavíková.
In parallel with the planting, the municipality continues to monitor air quality thoroughly as part of the KORIDOR D8 association in cooperation with the Mining University – Technical University of Ostrava. Data from a total of 36 sensors in the most affected locations of 12 municipalities along the D8 motorway are transmitted in real time to a publicly accessible database www.smartenvi.eu. The measured data – concentrations of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 – are directly interpreted in the database using green, orange and red smileys. A frowning red smiley indicates when it is not advisable to leave the home or ventilate. The data will be further interpreted by a university team led by Jiří Bílek, who will develop a set of recommendations for municipalities to improve air quality. „The current data reflect an acceptable situation compared to national parameters. The situation is not optimal, but pollution does not threaten the health of the population more than usual. However, the pollution is far from matching the tightening of immission limits by half that is due in 2030. The need to implement further measures at pollution sources to meet the limits is already evident,“ Bílek said.
The planting of greenery and monitoring of the air condition both bring immediate benefits in the form of improved air quality, but also provide important data for future decision-making processes, which must take into account the stricter immission limits and the impact of the completion of the Prague Ring Road on air quality in Zdiby.
Contact:
Daniel Glaser
PR Officer
daniel.dot.glaser@gmail.com
605 339 803
