Residents of Pere Garau, one of Palma’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, took to the streets with parasols to protest against the loss of trees and shade, as a heatwave gripped western Europe.
49°C in the street
In the area around Torcuato Luca de Tena street, a thermometer exposed to the midday sun registered 49°C. Street-level readings in direct sun are much higher than official air temperatures, but they reflect what residents experience walking on unshaded pavements.
The complaint
The residents’ group Pere Garau Saludable says that mature trees in the neighbourhood have been removed and their pits filled with concrete rather than replanted, turning streets into an “asphalt oven”.
Pere Garau has one of the highest population densities in Palma and very few parks or shaded spaces, which makes hot days particularly hard for children and older people.
What residents want
The group is calling for a plan for green corridors, including:
- planting new trees along the main streets and restoring soil in old tree pits;
- creating shade with pergolas or climbing plants where trees cannot be planted;
- involving schools and local businesses in caring for the new greenery;
- measuring temperatures before and after to show the cooling effect.
What is an omega block?
The heatwave was being held in place by an “omega block”, named after the Greek letter Ω, whose shape it resembles on weather maps. An area of high pressure becomes stuck between two areas of low pressure, blocking the normal west-to-east movement of weather systems. The result is days of clear skies, strong sunshine and steadily rising temperatures in the same area.
Climate change
Scientists are still studying whether blocking patterns are becoming more frequent, but the background warming of the climate means that when they occur, the resulting heatwaves are hotter than they would otherwise be.
Why trees matter
Research shows that tree-lined streets can be several degrees cooler than unshaded ones, and that green spaces help cities cool down at night. For neighbourhoods like Pere Garau, where many residents cannot easily escape the heat, shade is not a luxury but a public health measure.
