There were 400 Marseille CP and CE2 students, equipped with gloves, spades and buckets this Tuesday in eight public parks in the city to plant shrubs. The operation took place in particular with around fifty students from the Rose Castor school (13th arrondissement) in Athéna Park to the east of Marseille. Assisted in particular by municipal gardeners, the children first worked in class on the theme of trees and nature, in order to raise awareness.
Samia Tarni is one of their teachers: “In science, we talked about plants, the life cycle of trees and there we were able to put into practice what we saw in class, it’s very positive “. And very concrete, because this Tuesday the children notably planted tamarisk or ornamental garlic among a dozen different varieties of plants. Louna, six years old, is one of the apprentice gardeners: “I keep planting at home, and I’m happy to plant here!“.
This operation is expected to be repeated twice a year in Marseille, in autumn and spring.
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Julia, CP student at the Rose Castor school in Marseille © Radio France – Philippe Boccara
In Marseille there is a lack of trees and green spaces
Marseille has an area of 240 square kilometers with 1,000 hectares of urban green spaces and 9,000 hectares of natural spaces on the outskirts. According to the town hall, Marseille counts today 150,000 treesa precise census is also underway. If on the outskirts with numerous parks and gardens, the people of Marseille seem rather satisfied with this greening, this is not the case in the city center, where Samia lives: “When we are in the city center, there is a lack of trees, in summer it is very hot, with global warming if there were more, we would have a lot more shade and it would be more pleasant.”
This observation is made in particular in the Euroméditerranée sector, offices and homes, almost a new city within the city. This planting operation is also carried out on many former industrial wastelands. Here, according to the mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, “ we opened the Aygalades park, for us, it was not possible for entire neighborhoods to come out of the ground and only put concrete there, I cannot afford to cut down all the trees, I cannot not allow me to waterproof the floor.”
Benoît Payan has committed to planting 300,000 trees by 2029, 100.000 according to his services have already been buried
* How does the act of planting shrubs with school children specifically address the issue of community engagement and environmental awareness in Marseille?
## Planting the Future: An Interview on Marseille’s Greening Efforts
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World-Today-News. Today, we delve into the heart of Marseille, a city undergoing a green transformation. We’ll be speaking with two guests to explore the recent initiative to plant shrubs with school children and the broader goals of increasing green spaces in the city.
**Section 1: Learning Through Hands-On Experience**
* **Guests:** Samia Tarni (Teacher at Rose Castor School) and Louna (Student at Rose Castor School)
* **Questions:**
* **Samia:** Can you elaborate on the educational value of involving children in this planting project? How do you feel it contributes to their understanding of the natural world?
* **Louna:** What did you enjoy most about planting the shrubs today? Do you think this experience will change how you view nature?
* **Both:** What impact do you think this activity will have on the children’s connection to their community and environment?
**Section 2: Addressing the Need for Green Spaces:**
* **Guest:** Samia Tarni
* **Questions:**
* **Samia:** The article mentions a lack of trees in certain parts of Marseille, like the city center. What are the consequences of this lack of green spaces, especially during hot summers?
* **Samia:** Can you share your perspective on the balance between urban development and preserving green spaces? How can Marseille ensure both growth and sustainability?
**Section 3: The Mayor’s Greening Ambitions:**
* **Guest:** Benoît Payan (Mayor of Marseille – through audio clip or paraphrased statement)
* **Questions:**
* **Moderator:** The mayor has committed to planting 300,000 trees by 2029. What are the driving forces behind this ambitious goal?
* **Moderator:** How are these efforts being financed, and what role do partnerships with organizations and citizens play in achieving this goal?
**Section 4: Looking Ahead – A Greener Marseille:**
* **All Guests:**
* **Moderator:** What are your hopes for the future of green spaces in Marseille? How do you think these efforts will impact the quality of life for residents?
* **Moderator:** What message would you like to send to other cities looking to increase their green spaces and combat the effects of urbanization?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you to our guests for sharing their insights and perspectives. It’s clear that Marseille is taking significant steps to reclaim its green heritage and build a more sustainable future. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and transformation of this vibrant city.
