Plans to cover up to half of Paris with an “urban forest” took a step forward this week, when the city began the planting of a 478-tree micro-woodland in a busy square.

The Place de Catalogne in the city’s south was planted with oaks, ashes, maples and cherries — some saplings, others semi-mature — as a first major action on a commitment to reduce summer heat, increase flood resilience and combat carbon emissions by greening the city. By 2030, Paris hopes to have 50% of its ground area covered by water permeable surfaces, including green roofs, avenues, mini-gardens and new parks, one of which should be open within 12 months. The percentage was 29.6% in 2013 and 32% in 2020.