Amsterdam transformed a portion of its A10 ring road into a temporary forest as part of the “Op de Ring” festival, celebrating the city’s 750th anniversary. The event, which took place on the longest day of the year, featured 750 large and 7,500 small trees placed in wooden planters along a 15-kilometer stretch of the highway.

The festival, which attracted over 200,000 attendees, offered a diverse program including concerts, a rave, a picnic, a running race, and even weddings. The temporary forest provided a welcome respite from the heat, as asphalt temperatures were expected to reach 50 degrees Celsius. Visitors sought shade among the trees, photographed the wildflowers, and enjoyed the cooler environment.

The “Op de Ring” aimed to highlight the positive impact of greenery in urban environments. Hannah Hendrikx, director of De Gezonde Stad, emphasized that trees can lower the perceived temperature by as much as 15 degrees. The project also showcased the importance of biodiversity, with bees observed pollinating the newly planted flowers.

Landscape architect Bruno Doedens, the creative force behind the forest, expressed satisfaction with the event’s success. The trees, donated by various organizations, will be temporarily housed at a “tree camping” site before being permanently planted throughout the city in November. Doedens hopes the project will inspire a shift in perspective, encouraging people to live more harmoniously with nature. He envisions the trees parading through the city before being permanently planted, though discussions with the municipality are ongoing.