The Municipality of Békéscsaba is launching a comprehensive tree planting program within the framework of the LIFE IP HungAIRy project, with the primary goal of improving the city’s air quality.

Békéscsaba City Development Nonprofit Ltd. and the Municipality of Békéscsaba are partners in the LIFE IP HungAIRy project titled “Improving air quality at eight Hungarian regions through the implementation of air quality plan measures”, coordinated by HungaroMet Nonprofit Ltd.

The project implements air quality improvement measures in ten municipalities across Hungary. Békéscsaba has committed to two key pilot projects:

• the installation of a permanent air quality monitoring station, which is already operational in the city,
• and the launch of one of the largest tree planting programs in recent years.

Leisure facilities play an important role in the life of Békéscsaba, offering valuable opportunities for relaxation and recreation to visitors. CsabaPark is one such facility, whose public welfare functions have already been supported by previous municipal developments - and further enhancement is planned.

Often referred to as the “lungs” of the city, CsabaPark is located close to the city center and spans 51 hectares. However, over the past decade, the park has only been able to fulfill this role to a limited extent due to the decline of its tree population. The deterioration has been caused by unfavorable soil conditions and the increasingly extreme weather patterns resulting from climate change.

As part of the tree planting program within the LIFE integrated project, experts have assessed the weakened and dried-out tree population within CsabaPark. According to their professional opinion, several areas require urgent intervention.

The following works will begin in CsabaPark as part of the afforestation program:

• removal of dead and weakly growing trees over 3 hectares, including root extraction,
• deep soil preparation,
• planting of approximately 24,000 nursery-grown saplings.

When selecting tree species, the main consideration was their adaptability to the local climate and soil conditions.

Tree removal is scheduled to begin in November 2025 and is expected to take around one month. This will be followed by soil preparation and the planting of saplings. During the project, CsabaPark will remain open to visitors, although certain areas (e.g., running tracks) may be temporarily restricted.

The tree planting program in CsabaPark not only addresses current air quality issues but also aims to provide a sustainable and healthier environment for residents in the long term. The development will result in a long-lasting, recreation-oriented forested area within the park.