Our naked street....

When we first moved into our street, one of the things that really convinced us about the area was the fact that the street was canopied with a glorious arch of older tree (roughly 60 years old at least...). Our neighbourhood was designed in the 60s, and it was a time when the idea of melding environment and city was at best in it's infancy. We loved the trees, in the spring and the summer... it was really beautiful... even though you would have your cars drowning in bird poop and autumn would be an endless chore of raking leaves!

About half a year ago, the Gemeente (City Hall) released a plan to redesign our street (and most of the suburb).... and unfortunately, that meant that the huge old trees were going to be replaced completely with different trees. At first, I was really quite disappointed that the trees were going to go (I still am...), but further reading into the plan revealed the reason behind the tree replacements.

Unfortunately, when the street was first planned.... it didn't really take into account how the trees and buildings would work and grow together over the following decades. So, as the trees grew bigger and bigger... they started ripping up the road and pavement and also the sewer/water and various utilities that are under the ground. Sadly, this meant that something had to go... and as the people weren't moving... it meant that the trees would have to replaced with a different idea.

Now, as far as I understand (given that my Dutch is rudimentary at best...), the street format will be changed (less parking...) to be able to inset the trees a bit further away from the houses. The types of trees will be different, so instead of these huge giants with elaborate root systems, they will be a bit smaller with a different type of root system. So, it is the hope that the buildings and greenery will be able to exist in a better harmony and balance.

After talking to the neighbours... I found that I was in the minority... most people supported the change of plan for the street... I am very curious to see how it ends up (I'm cautiously optimistic... I would have preferred no change... but I'm not in a house that is directly affected by the roots..)...

So, it too a week for a work team to make their way down the road... cutting pieces off the trees, bit by bit... before going for the last cut on the trunk. In many ways, I have to admire their skills... that they were able to accomplish this feat without smashing into any buildings on either side of the street. My toddler and I stood here watching for quite some time... it was both a bit heartbreaking and interesting at the same time.

So, currently, this is all that is left of the trees... just stumps all up and down the street. I have no idea how they are going to deal with the root system... I gather it is more difficult than just grabbing the stump and pulling really really really hard! So, I guess we have several months of serious construction and machinery coming up ahead. Thankfully, we don't live on the street side of things... it is going to get pretty damn noisy I think!

I really miss the trees, as the current view of the street (now denuded of the trees...) is somewhat concrete apocalyptic. It really makes the street feel quite dirty and horrible... it's hard to describe... it feels like the cosy and comfortable cover that would blanket over us is gone... and now we are exposed to the harsh sky!

Hopefully, the redesign will result in a better long term harmony between the houses and the greenery...