{
  "id": 5046315,
  "title": "PSOE Calls for Urban Trees to Be Declared Essential Infrastructure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/psoe-calls-for-urban-trees-to-be-declared-essential-infrastructure",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T08:29:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Leader",
    "slug": "the-leader",
    "url": "https://theleader.info/2026/09/02/psoe-calls-for-urban-trees-to-be-declared-essential-infrastructure/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Socialist Party in Orihuela will introduce a motion to declare urban trees as essential infrastructure and provide enhanced protection in response to the city's rising temperatures and heatwaves. Socialist councillor Luis Quesada emphasized that older people, children, and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. He declared that urban trees are no longer merely decorative but are vital for public health, reducing street temperatures, and making Orihuela more livable and sustainable.\n\nThe motion proposes a Municipal Green Infrastructure and Urban Tree Ordinance, along with a Shade and Climate Refuge Plan, to identify vulnerable areas and prioritize actions for the city, outlying villages, and coastal regions. The Socialists advocate for a \"no net loss\" policy, ensuring that newly removed trees are replaced and existing specimens are safeguarded in municipal projects. They also suggest adopting the international 3-30-300 standard, aiming for residents to see at least three trees from their home, live in neighborhoods with 30% tree-canopy cover, and have access to quality green spaces within 300 meters.\n\nQuesada stressed that tackling extreme heat requires a permanent and ambitious strategy, rather than reactive measures during heatwaves. He warned that the absence of a supplier for municipal sports facilities maintenance could delay repairs, allow damage to accumulate, and diminish the quality of facilities used daily by clubs, sports schools, families, and residents. The PSOE questioned the PP-Vox government's management of sports facility maintenance, calling for a new tender, alternative legal arrangements, and a timetable to prevent disruptions. The party argued that protecting trees and maintaining sports facilities demonstrate the council's responsibility in caring for public spaces used by Orihuela's residents.",
  "summary": "Orihuela’s Socialist Party will submit a motion calling for urban trees to be formally recognised as essential infrastructure and given greater protection as the municipality faces increasingly extreme temperatures. Socialist councillor Luis Quesada said rising temperatures, tropical nights and more frequent heatwaves were having the greatest effect on neighbourhoods with limited vegetation and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Socialist Party in Orihuela to declare urban trees essential infrastructure.",
    "Motion proposes Municipal Green Infrastructure and Urban Tree Ordinance.",
    "Advocate for 3-30-300 standard and no net loss policy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}