Hungarian Gardeners Push Green Infrastructure to Beat Heatwaves

The Magyar Díszkertészek Szakmaközi Szervezete (MDSZSZ) says professionally designed and maintained urban green areas, together with locally bred climate‑resilient plants, are the only sustainable way to counter Hungary’s persistent heatwaves. They warn that the urban heat‑island effect can make paved surfaces 15‑20 °C hotter than surrounding areas, while air‑conditioners cool indoor spaces but increase outdoor temperatures.

MDSZSZ stresses that green infrastructure not only protects public health during extreme heat but also lowers soaring cooling costs for households and municipalities. The organisation urges coordinated action from horticultural growers, landscape architects, local governments and residents to implement shading, evapotranspiration, oxygen production and dust filtration through green spaces, and offers partnerships to help towns become heat‑resilient.