Eco-solutions: Kyiv completes construction of eco-friendly “green” tram tracks

The capital's residents were delighted to welcome a new, state-of-the-art green space on Almaty Street in the Dniprovskyi district. The newly opened square boasts unique tram tracks and is home to nearly 200 trees and 150 bushes.

The head of the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Kyiv City State Administration, Oleksandr Vozny, reported that.

What is the problem?

Residents of large cities are familiar with the sights of polluted air, noise, and intense heat during the summer months. The lack of green spaces only exacerbates the situation, as the abundance of concrete and asphalt creates an urban jungle that makes breathing, moving, and relaxing hard. This only adds to the existing stress and fatigue that already takes a toll on Ukrainians.

What is the solution?

This year, the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change of the Kyiv City State Administration launched several experiments to improve the ecological situation in the capital. Among them are planting meadow grasses, vertical gardening, and creating rain gardens. Thanks to cooperation with the Department of Transport, parklets, street furniture with greenery, and green tram tracks have begun to appear in the capital.

One of the capital's squares now has green tram tracks. In the Kyiv Dniprovskyi district, concrete slabs between the tram tracks were replaced with lawns.

How does it work?

The project to develop the square on Almaty Street began last year. The first stage involved creating a zone with art objects. The second part, which included more greenery and infrastructure improvements, was implemented over six months in 2024.

Key features of the square:

• Gardening: about 200 trees, 150 bushes, and over 1,200 cereals and ornamental grasses were planted. The main "highlight" is a hornbeam tunnel, which adds uniqueness to the square.
• "Green" tram tracks: an original solution that combines transport infrastructure with environmental friendliness.

Thanks to the help of the Kusum group of companies and the efforts of the Dniprovskyi district municipal enterprise, a new tram stop has been equipped in the square; paths have been laid, and new benches and bins have been installed.

"And, of course, "green" tram tracks have been equipped here, which create a special atmosphere. But this is just the beginning. Soon, hornbeam tunnels, arrays of ornamental grasses and hydrangeas, and green walls of wild grapes will appear here. Therefore, we invite Kyiv residents to visit this place and see for themselves its uniqueness!" Vozny previously said.

^{Plants between tram tracks can be sown or laid out in ready-made rolls. This is a screenshot from the Department of Environmental Protection and Adaptation to Climate Change video}

• Infrastructure: comfortable paths have been arranged, and benches, urns, lighting, a video surveillance system, and automatic irrigation have been installed.

Vozny emphasized that the main patron was the Kusum Ukraine group of pharmaceutical companies, and the Natalis Plant Nursery supported landscaping.

For reference:

It is worth mentioning that in 2024, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, will continue its experiment with decorative meadows and refrain from mowing the grass.

In addition, in Lviv, in the Bernardine Courtyard near Andrew's Church, a "green wall" was created as part of the urban festival City Workshop 2024.