Citizen mapping identifies urban tree deficiencies across Spain

A citizen-led initiative titled ‘¡Aquí falta un árbol–Ecomapa 2026’ has identified significant deficiencies in urban greenery across Spain. In Cuenca, volunteers mapped over 400 problematic tree pits, including 184 dead stumps, 168 empty or paved-over pits, and 68 trees suffering from restricted root space due to concrete or resin. Local activists plan to present these findings to the City Council to demand better replanting plans, permeable surfaces, and less aggressive pruning.

This local effort is part of a broader national campaign involving more than 150 municipalities across 17 autonomous communities and 39 provincial capitals. The mapping project, supported by organizations such as Greenpeace, Ecologistas en Acción, and Alianza por el Clima, aims to create a real-time diagnostic of urban vegetation. The goal is to move beyond simple replanting by ensuring trees have adequate soil, appropriate species, and sufficient space to grow, helping cities adapt to rising temperatures.