Charter for Trees - Aix-en-Provence

In 2017, the city of Aix-en-Provence in Southern France published a charter to preserve the tree heritage of the city. The Charter is a strategic document to accelerate the planting of trees in the city, preserve existing trees and determine new planting and tree management methods. The charter was developed in response to ongoing pressure by the association "Défenses des Arbres en Pays d'Aix", created by multiple NGOs with the purpose of saving the plant heritage of Aix-en-Provence. The association was created after more than one 100 trees were cut upon order of the city in 2016. The charter presents seven distinct areas of action, ranging from awareness raising on the importance of urban trees to the implementation of new techniques for tree planting and conservation. An environmental management plan laying out more detailed activities followed the charter in 2018.

Overview

Type of instrument:

Legislative, regulatory and strategic instruments›Urban planning mechanisms

Challenges addressed

Green space management (e.g. accessibility)
Heat stress and heat island effect
Air quality
Social cohesion
Social equity
Nature appropriation / stewardship
Reconnection to the biosphere / environmental education
Human health, comfort and well-being

Consideration of nature-based solutions:

The charter includes seven distinct goals: (1) To raise awareness of the role of trees in the city, particularly in light of climate change. (2) To increase knowledge on the life cycle of trees. (3) To develop and adapt practices for tree conservation, while maintaining existing good practices. (4) To prepare for the future by considering needs for adaptation (choice of species, planting methods, choice of subjects, planting locations, etc.). (5) To change the paradigm: putting the tree back at the heart of the decision concerning the public space. (6) To make the tree one of the vectors of nature and biodiversity in the city. (7) To set up communication tools aimed at a public that is increasingly interested and concerned by trees and nature in the city. For each of these goals, activities are proposed on how to achieve it. These goals encompass a holistic vision of tree conservation in the city, not limited to harnessing ecological benefits. Rather, trees are seen as important stepping stone towards achieving a liveable, biodiverse and resilient city. In addition, the charter provides a comprehensive overview of local plant species and their importance for Aix-en-Provence.

Targeted (peri-)urban areas:

Parks and (semi)natural urban green areas

Allotments, community gardens or agricultural areas

Green areas for water management

Derelict areas

Urban green space connected to grey infrastructure

Good practice characteristics:

Support multifunctional NBS

Sustainable in the long-term

Locally appropriate

Potential to be replicated / upscaled

Inclusivity

Governance

Government body/bodies

Initiating body:

Aix-en-Provence City Council

Instrument design:

Details about how the instrument was designed:

While the Charter was published by the city of Aix-en-Provence, the association "Défenses des Arbres en Pays d'Aix" (created by multiple NGOs with the purpose of saving the plant heritage of Aix-en-Provence) was crucial in this process. The charter is a major result of the association continuously encouraging the city to adopt a charter to protect the city's trees and thus fill a legislative gap on tree preservation in the city. In addition, a petition was organized that resulted in almost 5000 signatories asking the city to stop the felling of trees.

Involvement of non-governmental actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Citizens or community groups / NGOs

Type of actor involvement:

Civil society consultation through e.g. workshops, surveys

Instrument implementation:

Type of involvement:

The charter foresees an active role of the public in the implementation of its actions. A close collaboration exists with several local organisations, such as APADEM working on the protection and development of the inner city of Aix-en-Provence. Another collaborating organisation is the association for local economic development AIRE. In addition, several citizen organisations on nature conservation, such as Aux arbres citoyens are involved. Expert studies have also been conducted to support the Charter's planned activities.

Type of non-governmental actors involved:

Citizen councils or consultation for co-planning (e.g. workshops, surveys)

Targeted actors:

Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)

Private: household, real estate developer, business , financial

Researchers, university

Citizens or community groups (CBOs), NGOs

Financing

Sources of funding:

Public local authority’s budget

Funding provided through the EU LIFE Project Airfresh

Budget:

Less than 50 000 €

Details about instrument financing:

Financing details are unkown.

Monitoring, evaluation and impacts

Is a monitoring framework in place?:

Yes

In September 2018, an independent mission dedicated to overseeing the tree heitage management was created. It is currently composed of a Tree Technician and a Supervisor. Its role is to oversee tree-related operations such as phytosanitary monitoring, organization and control of felling, pruning and planting work. It also ensures that actions are geared toward achieving the Charter's goals.

No evidence of the evaluation system and its results could be found in public records.

Achieved outcomes and impacts:

The publication of the Charter provides a comprehensive framework for a sustainable conservation of the Aix-en-Provence's tree heritage. Other citys have followed the example of Aix-en-Provence and have implemented their own Tree Charters, such as the small town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. More than 60 staff members from different departments of the municipality have been trained in new management methods. This helps to ensure that trees are integrated in public space rehabilitation projects.

Success factors and lessons learned:

The Charter for Trees in Aix-en-Provence serves as a good example of how community groups and NGOs can encourage municipalities adopting progressive and holistic strategies to protect urban ecosystems. A close collaboration with different actor groups in the implementation of the Charter ensures widespread acceptance and legitimacy.

Sources and further information

References

List of references:

Maire d'Aix-en-Provence (2017). La Charte de l’arbre d’Aix-en-Provence. Available at: https://www.aixenprovence.fr/IMG/pdf/chartearbrebd.pdf (Accessed: 19 August 2022).

Aixenprovence.fr (2017). La Charte de l’arbre d’Aix-en-Provence. Available at: https://www.aixenprovence.fr/La-Charte-de-l-arbre-d-Aix-en-Provence (Accessed: 19 August 2022).

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (2021). Charte de l'abre. Available at: https://jimdo-storage.global.ssl.fastly.net/file/7b095231-a914-413f-bcb6-1015272bee4f/Charte%20de%20l%27arbre,%20St-R%C3%A9my-de-Provence,%202021.pdf (Accessed: 19 August 2022).

Urban Nature Atlas (2020). Saving trees initiatives from an association. Défense des Arbres en Pays d'Aix. Available at: https://una.city/nbs/aix-en-provence/saving-trees-initiatives-association (Accessed: 19 August 2022).

Nature For City Life (no date). L'abre en ville au service du cadre de vie et d'une politique climat. Available at: http://www.nature4citylife.eu/fileadmin/user_upload/N4CL_Aix_charte_arbre.pdf (Accessed: 19 August 2022).

Photos

@https://www.aixenprovence.fr/