(haipo) – The Haifa Municipality is presenting a comprehensive urban forestry plan, designed to address the challenges of climate change and improve the quality of life in the city. In a meeting held via Zoom on Sunday, March 23, 2025, the municipality presented the plan to upgrade and preserve the urban forest. As part of the plan, which is managed in collaboration with several professional bodies, including Yaffe Nof, important issues such as walkability, shade, air quality, and preservation of urban vegetation were discussed. All this, while maintaining the active involvement of residents, to ensure that the plan not only takes effect but can also succeed and thrive in the long term.
The complete plan will be published in two months (in May 2025) after public comments have been taken into account. When the plan is published, we will publish it live.
Program Goal: Ecological Solutions to Improve Quality of Life
The urban forest is one of the key tools for addressing the challenges of climate change and improving the quality of life in the city. Trees not only provide shade, but also have a direct impact on reducing temperatures and improving air quality. Deputy Mayor and Environmental Affairs Minister Avihu Han emphasized the great importance of the afforestation plan, saying that "trees create life and lower the temperature in the city." This plan, which was developed in collaboration with a number of experts in the field, includes comprehensive mapping of the urban area and understanding the unique needs of each area of the city.
Architectural consulting: collaboration with professionals
Shahar Tzur, a landscape architect from Derech Tzel, who led the program, explained that the Haifa Municipality began by mapping every tree in the city, including an assessment of the crowns and their impact on quality of life. One of the main goals is to improve the crown coverage in the city, as it currently stands at 26%. If the Haifa Municipality manages to raise the average to 30% by 2030, this will be a significant improvement in shade and air quality. Tzur also suggested that residents ask themselves how they want to see the urban forest in a year, a decade, and fifty years, and emphasized the need for the public to actively protect the trees, not only in theory but also in practice.
The Urban Forestry Program
The Haifa Municipality's urban afforestation program is designed to prepare for climate change and reduce air pollution and heat in the city, while maintaining the quality of life of residents. The municipality operates according to a methodology developed within the framework of a government call for proposals, in collaboration with architects and experts in the field. The main goal is to increase the canopy cover throughout the city, and improve the quality of shade, especially during hot periods, such as the summer months.
The urban forest plan is divided into several main areas, including land planning, tree conservation, and expanding afforestation areas in areas with high density and a shortage of trees. The plan also includes community and senior development, with the goal of engaging residents in creating community gardens and reducing the phenomenon of tree felling and poisoning.
The municipality also offers a tactical planting program, in which immediate plantings will be carried out in areas that need improvement, using a map that shows the need for planting based on parameters such as population density, public transportation, and shade conditions.
Creative solutions to improve walkability and reduce gaps
Landscape architect Yael Bar-Maor presented the city's leading problem – a lack of shade in most urban areas, especially during the hot summer months. According to her, the shade problem in the city is especially severe in August, when the city suffers from a severe shade shortage in most neighborhoods. During the meeting, Bar-Maor presented the plan to reduce the shade gaps on the city's streets. She explained that in about two months, the full plan will be uploaded to the municipality's website, and in the meantime, the team responsible for the plan will review the public's comments and incorporate them into the plan. One of the proposals in the plan was to establish organized "walking trails," where trees would be planted in a targeted manner based on priority. Bar-Maor suggested an urban stroll based on the "walking" map, which would present the neighborhoods most in need of planting, along with an assessment of the neighborhoods' sensitivity in terms of density, socioeconomics, and public transportation.
Methodological plan for addressing urban needs
In addition to mapping the trees, Yael Bar-Maor noted that the plan also includes creating "index cards" for each area of the city, examining the issue according to optimal stages and taking into account the environmental needs of each area. Each stage of the plan will require the establishment of clear timetables and areas of responsibility within the municipality, including professional supervisors who will ensure the continuation of the planting and conservation process.
Public involvement and resident participation
One of the key points of the meeting was public participation. The municipality appealed to residents for feedback, and emphasized the need for active cooperation from the general public to ensure that the consultation and plans presented are carried out in a manner that is appropriate to local needs. According to Bar-Maor, it is not just about preserving existing trees, but also about the active involvement of residents in the process, in a way that will lead to the creation of local communities that will function not only as observers but also as partners in preserving the environment.
The urban forest facing urban challenges
Alongside public involvement, the experts noted that there are additional challenges related to urban development alongside the urban forest. For example, the problem of the various municipal plans was mentioned, which sometimes result in the cutting down of existing trees for the benefit of urban development. Amir Gilad, one of the residents, raised a question about preserving trees in TAMA (National Master Plan) plans, and whether there is any regulation that would prevent unnecessary cutting down of trees.
Yael Bar Maor, in response, noted that one of the main goals of the plan is to incorporate restrictions and policies that will help preserve the trees over time, and that the municipality is working in parallel to formulate agreements with city engineers to implement future plans that respect urban vegetation.
Allergies to Olive Trees: Health Considerations When Planting
Another issue that came up during the meeting was health considerations, and in particular dealing with allergies to olive trees. Adi Meir, one of the residents, asked how the municipality deals with allergies caused by olive plants, which are known to cause great discomfort in the summer months. Landscape architect Neta Talmor explained that the municipality makes efforts to choose trees that are suitable for the urban environment, while reducing the possibility of allergies. According to her, the municipality is careful to plant trees that do not cause unnecessary discomfort to residents.
Budgeting the Program: Questions for Future Funding
Amit Granot raised a question regarding the funding of the program, and whether the state will continue to support it. Neta Talmor reassured the public and explained that government support is not expected to cease, and expected that the municipality will be able to implement the program with public participation.
During the meeting, additional questions were raised, and the municipality presented its vision for shading the city while preserving biodiversity. Residents, meanwhile, continued to present important opinions and insights, and most importantly, expressed their desire to be an active part of this process.
Meeting Summary: A Long but Possible Road
The municipal system strives to involve residents in the ongoing process of planning and preserving the urban forest. According to the presentation of the plan, there is an understanding that time, resources and public cooperation are needed to achieve the ambitious goals set by the Haifa Municipality. The ambition is not only to create an urban forest, but to involve the public in its implementation, while maintaining a healthy ecology and a high quality of life for residents.
What about repairing streets, which is more important because most of the streets in Haifa are in disrepair and dangerous for driving?
Just don't plant an ilantha in a lot. A beautiful tree grows quickly but takes over the landscape. Worse than the sycamore and the atrotka. Like the bird feeders. In our neighborhood, you almost never see these, carob oaks, etc. The ilanthas have taken their place.
Thank you, Tzvia
The importance of thinning pine trees with flammable resin that increases the risk of fires in populated areas
Yes, the tree roots distort the nearby roads and the resin that flows destroys the paint on cars and is very dirty. I think we need to thin it out a lot and think about trees with a small radius that don't fall and don't get dirty. And without resin
It would help, great, but what about the lower city? When will they improve the ruins? It looks like Gaza... until when?? Shame on the municipality.
Adding to what Ronit wrote:
I draw attention to Keren Hayesod Street, a long stretch across from Ben Gurion School – full of shade trees. There is plenty of room for planting.
Also the one on Shimshon Street on the right – a concrete wasteland – as above.
And in addition, all those areas that have been stripped of trees due to TAMA 38 buildings – plant trees on the sidewalks wherever possible and restore the area to its former glory. It is desirable to have a bench in the shade of each tree.
Many comments have been posted here.
Would like to add:
When planting trees, evergreen trees should be planted, not those that shed their leaves in the summer, such as on Nurit Street in the Vardiya neighborhood.
Many years ago (about 20 years ago) they planted trees along the entire street, but they didn't take into account that in the summer, when it's extremely hot, the trees don't provide any shade at all because the leaves fall off in the summer!!!!
A dream come true!
Very important and I hope we see it soon.
As a resident of Haifa for over 70 years, allow me to be skeptical, knowing and familiar with "operations" closely, this operation will end after one or two blocks because... the budget will run out.
The faithful reader speaks from my throat.
Sde Hatzvi was the most beautiful street in Haifa, Einat Kalish even said so, and for good reason.
In the distant past, the street was called the Avenue of Lovers.
Today there is no trace of this. Systematic felling of trees, in favor of seemingly unrestrained gluttony.
The contractors are obligated to plant mature trees in place of those that were cut down, for the benefit of the concrete there is no enforcement if they are planted under them. Unfortunately, the contractors and developers seemingly "control" the municipality. The grim results are ahead of us.
When and/or when a mayor arrives with a holistic policy with a broad vision for nature and residents,
There will be nothing left to save, the city will be in ruins.
A few dirty words from the Haifa Municipality's dirty workshop:
"The Urban Forest"
"Public Participation"
"Ecological solutions"
"Improving the quality of life"
"Methodological plan"
"Public Involvement"
This is pathetic PR and a poor attempt by the municipality to cover up the systematic destruction of the green Carmel with the typical Carmel construction texture, in a gross trampling of the destructive TAMA 38 distribution placed on a false foundation of statements by the municipal engineer Eng. Y.S., under the guidance and backing of the municipal legal advice devoid of any public moral standard, led by the attorney general, Adv. S.W., who frequently invents personal legislation and regulations while disrespecting the law, and utters lies freely and without any fear before the court.
Our districts have never seen such a long series of inappropriate acts carried out in the municipality in general and in the Engineering Administration in particular.
One of the most unsuccessful municipal planning and construction institutions in the country, with a city engineer who is probably aware of what she is signing and the serious risk she is creating for the lives of residents with the proliferation of TAMA monsters.
No "forestry plan" will cover the felling of thousands of trees that have already been cut down in Carmel and thousands more on the way to being felled as the NPA continues to spread.
A forestry plan that will remain on paper only. Bombastic municipal declarations are worthless.
Appealing to the leadership of the failed city, which is made up of a bunch of losers lacking public morality:
Go home – let them live!!
Important response, every word is a gem, what nonsense, they are destroying all the houses on all the greenery,
And they are telling us, stop destroying the houses, don't ask for public participation to cover up the green destruction and cutting down of trees for the benefit of Tama 38 that ruined our lives!!
Are you tired enough!!
Cheeky!!!!
The Haifa Municipality has prepared a plan to change the face of the city of Haifa.
On the other hand, when private individuals cut down trees, or perform excessive pruning, the municipality does nothing, apparently depending on who is cutting down.
Optimization suggestions:
Folk moves to finish or start
1. The grain
2. Harmony between residents and neighborhoods
3. Installation of solar roofs on public and private buildings
4. Feasibility of evacuating construction in the neighborhood
5. An old Egged Bat Galim switchboard
6. Dolphin bridge intersection
7. Bat Galim casino building
8. Nazareth light rail
9. Cruise to Acre
10. Gesher Bat Galim, Teilat Huldah Rambam Siyum
11. Haifa metropolis bike lanes
12. Svedra tunnel train or transfer through the Carmel tunnels
13. Beautiful sailing center Bat Galim Allenby
14. The Stella Maris cable car is part of public transportation and the addition of cable cars
15. Lower City Development
16. Opening the city to the sea .. a marina around the city
17. The opening of the German Colony Boulevard to the sea
18. Improvement of urban appearance, strengthening of buildings, evacuation, construction
19. Electrification of all vehicles and public transportation
20. Making places accessible to the disabled
21. Sea Research Building, improving visibility and sea view
22. Construction in gradual height... to allow the sea view and not block it
23. Bicycle and electric scooter rental throughout the city promotion
24. Polluting factories, making them non-polluting or moving them
25. Wonderful international airport
26. International cruise from Haifa to other countries of the world
27. Railway improvement of carriages and electrification
28. Extension of Hecht Park and stretching it at the beginning and end
29. Promotion of music, art and fusion between cultures
30. Mobile libraries.. an abstract idea.. mobile vans of libraries for renting books with coffee and internet points throughout the city
31. Health promotion and the health system in the city
32. Water sports
33. Amusement park attractions and such
34. Promotion of green energy, solar wind, sea waves and more
35. Promoting recycling
36. Solve the problem of pigs and dog poop in a proper way
37. Thanks
38. Separation road, Dolphin Junction, from train to cars
39. . . Property tax discount for the holder of a disabled card
They talk and talk, they illustrate the illustrations, and the paper suffers everything. In practice, every week, buildings are demolished in TAMA 38, completely shaving off the site. In the plans, the developers are not required to maintain front gardens so that there are trees to shade the sidewalks. They are only required by the instructions to plant plants where trees cannot grow, and therefore they plant shrubs and small trees that do not provide shade. Anyone who walks along Wedgwood Boulevard, which once included hundreds of pine trees, and sees the new construction where there are only parking lots with the sun blazing overhead and not a single tree understands exactly what the Haifa Municipality is doing.
We are presented with some general and ignorant talk about an "urban forest" instead of preserving the existing one, as a start, before planting trees that will only provide shade for another 20-40 years. Not that it is not important, of course - but on the other hand, you cut down thousands of trees throughout Haifa every year for road construction and wasteful construction on the ground and poorly planned, leaving no open space.
So decide, do you want green or do you just want the imagery of "maybe it will be green in the future"?
The plan also makes no reference to fruit trees and food security, which is no less important than shade.
So what is really required:
A. Establish a wadi management department (a lesson that was not implemented after the fires) to preserve the natural forest in the wadi, thin out trees along the edges of houses, and establish fire lines to prevent fires.
B. Require in construction plans that projects replant every tree that was uprooted. That is, if there were 10 trees on the lot and you uprooted 8, you must leave the open space on the lot and replant 8 trees.
C. Planning sidewalks with a strip of bike paths and a strip of trees, even at the expense of "more parking spaces," to stop sanctifying the private car.
D. Reduce built-up area facing the street in new construction, require front gardens.
E. Mapping "empty" areas in parks, promenades and gardens where trees can be added
F. Recreate terraces for agricultural cultivation on wadis with community gardening (selling gardens for 10 years for cultivation with pruning of vegetables and fruit trees)
G. Do not allow plans for new roads to pave a road without trees for shade along its entire length.