If you like the photo above, it's probably because of the presence of vegetation. Now, can you imagine the same scene without the trees on the sidewalks? It probably wouldn't evoke the same feeling of freshness, comfort, and tranquility if the vegetation were gone. This is because trees in urban areas play a fundamental climatic role, promote human connection with nature, and, simply by the presence of green in their leaves, evoke symbolic meanings such as hope, health, safety, freedom, and vitality.

However, this image does not reflect the reality of most streets in Belo Horizonte. And here we are not only talking about the terrain, which is generally quite uneven in the capital of Minas Gerais, but also about the presence — or absence — of trees on the sidewalks. For many years, the public authorities did little to encourage planting on sidewalks. The Belo Horizonte Municipal Government (PBH), in turn, only offered the service of cutting down trees on sidewalks, leaving the planting of new saplings on the front of the properties to the owners.

Fortunately, this scenario has begun to change. In 2021, PBH implemented the service called “"Tree - Request for Planting on Sidewalks, Squares, etc."”. Through this program, the municipality began planting trees in public spaces upon request from citizens. The process includes a technical inspection of the site and can be requested at any time of year — although the planting preferably takes place between September and February, the most suitable period for the development of the species.

Citizens can suggest their preferred species, but the final decision rests with the City Hall's technical staff, who will assess aspects such as available space, soil characteristics, landscaping composition, and suitability to the surrounding area.

With this service, citizens become the protagonists in transforming their own streets. It's possible to plan attractive tree planting that attracts birds, provides shade, increases thermal comfort, and improves urban aesthetics. This is a real opportunity to transform the collective space into a healthier and more welcoming environment.

Yes, many actions fall under the purview of public authorities, but there is also enormous potential in collaborative actions from civil society. Simple initiatives, when combined, can transform entire cities. For municipalities that do not yet offer a similar service, it is worth suggesting to the local government the creation of a program inspired by the model adopted by Belo Horizonte.

Here's an invitation to reflect: small actions taken by many people generate significant impacts. If this text inspired you and you want help choosing species, understanding the process, or making a request to PBH, please contact us. We will be happy to contribute. And, if your street is already tree-lined, share this experience—it can inspire others to do the same. Information and example are powerful seeds for a better city.