Cooler city

TREE shade can reduce the temperature in the streets of Alicante by up to twenty degrees in summer. Maintaining leafy specimens, together with other protection systems such as building awnings and areas with water, has become a necessity to try to alleviate the sensation of heat during the few months in which temperatures soar.

“Parks or trees in the streets generate cool areas that make urban life more bearable on hot days. But trees alone are not enough. It is necessary for the streets and squares to be equipped with water points, fountains or sprinklers to improve the sensation of freshness", said the director of the climatology laboratory of the University of Alicante, Jorge Olcina, who pointed out that "in the Mediterranean area it is necessary to keep fresh in the streets by using trees and fountains".

Old Town, Alicante

Credit: Carolina Selles Milla/Pixabay

Unicef also points out that "Trees can reduce temperatures in cities by up to twelve degrees. It is largely due to the shade and also to the effect of transpiration, the process by which the water inside the tree is released as water vapour through the leaves, so revegetation is key to regulating temperatures in the cities”.

Countryside watch

THE ROCA teams that the Guardia Civil implemented in the province of Alicante 10 years ago have restored security to the countryside.

ROCA (robbery in the countryside) was formed as a direct response to the increase in theft of crops, livestock, machinery and electrical installations in rural areas, which are increasingly vulnerable due to abandonment and depopulation.

Opinions of the farmers confirmed the effectiveness demonstrated by the three Roca teams based in Alicante province. The teams are based in Ibi, Calpe and Torrevieja.

In the last decade, they have investigated more than 5,000 incidents, detained over 2,000 people and solved almost 3,000 crimes.