Trees for greener streets : a spatial case study of four street greening developments in Toulouse

Sammanfattning

Urban greening has become a central strategy for addressing the challenges of urbanisation and climate change. In dense historic city centres, where space is limited, urban greening initiatives require careful planning and spatial sensitivity. While the ecological benefits of street trees are well documented, their spatial and perceptual impacts within contemporary streetscapes remain less explored. This master’s thesis aims to deepen the understanding of how contemporary street greening, with a focus on street trees, influences the spatial perception and experience of streetscapes. The study focuses on four recent street transformations in the historic city centre of Toulouse, France. The research adopts a qualitative, empirical case study approach, examining four recently redeveloped streets. The methodology combines literature review, document studies, and structured site observations. Spatial analysis is guided by Gordon Cullen’s framework of visual perception and serial vision, complemented by Arne Branzell’s notation method to document perceived spatiality. Observations focus on the interaction between trees, built form, and street structure, considering both current conditions and projected future development as trees mature. The findings illustrate that street trees play a significant role as spatial elements within contemporary streetscapes, influencing enclosure, scale, rhythm, and movement. Tree placement, species characteristics, and canopy development contribute to varying spatial experiences across different street morphologies. The results also indicate that the spatial impact of street trees is dynamic, with their influence on streetscapes expected to increase over time as the trees grow and their canopies expand. Although young trees initially have a complementary role to building façades, their spatial influence increases as they mature, gradually contributing to stronger enclosure, clearer boundaries, and more socially inviting streetscapes.