EC Ma Ndryshe has realized a performance to address the lack of greenery in public spaces as a concern. This performance was realized in the Municipality of Prizren, in the Municipality of Prishtina, in the Municipality of Peja, in the Municipality of Gjakova, in the Municipality of Ferizaj, in the Municipality of Gjilan, as well as in the Municipality of Mitrovica in cooperation with the NGO "7 Arte".

From the research "Air quality in Prizren" that EC conducted with the citizens of Prizren last year, it appears that about 44% of respondents think that not enough trees are being planted in their city. This essential problem has been seen to be present in many other municipalities, therefore, through this public reaction, it is required to find an adequate solution to this issue.

In some selected roads of the mentioned municipalities where it has been estimated that there is a significant lack of greenery, some trees have been artistically improvised and placed in concrete, marking the space where they could be planted.

Knowing the great benefits that green surfaces bring within urban areas, EC has taken the initiative to realize such a performance, in order for the attention of the local leadership to focus on increasing the greenery within the cities of Kosovo.

Concreted spaces with a lack of greenery are turning into a huge problem, especially during these days with high temperatures. With a lack of greenery and countless concreted surfaces within our cities, "Urban heat islands" are being created which, in combination with cars, raise the overall temperature by +5°C (https://time.com/5655074/concrete-urban-heat).

On the other hand, trees significantly reduce the overall temperature by creating shadows and through a process known as 'cooling transpiration' where trees release water into the atmosphere from their leaves, reducing the peak summer temperature by 1-5 °C. (www.epa.gov/ Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands).

The use of trees and vegetation in the urban environment, with adequate maintenance, brings benefits beyond the reduction of heat within urban areas. Trees around buildings affect the creation of shadows and the demand for air conditioning and energy expenditure; improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; reduce the risk of flooding; they improve the quality of life as well as provide aesthetic values, create habitat for many species and reduce noise.

Trees also have an essential role in avoiding climate change. Planting and protecting urban green areas will maximize the absorption of carbon dioxide, which is a major driver of climate change.

Planting trees is also one of the cheapest solutions to address this issue, so this should be an additional reason why the central and local governments should focus on increasing green areas in urban areas of Kosovo, along with the maintenance of their due.

This performance was realized by EC Ma Ndryshe, supported by the program of the Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society (KCSF) 'EJA Kosovo', co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (Sida). The content and views presented here do not represent the official position of the donors.