The Madrid City Council plans to add a delicious mango scent to the asphalt mixture instead of the usual asphalt smell.
The Madrid City Council is implementing the Operation Asphalt initiative to improve the condition of 323 roads in the city. While better roads and infrastructure are expected to emerge, the asphalt odor has left some residents feeling uncomfortable. To address this, authorities have experimented with adding a delightful mango scent to the asphalt mixture. However, this has also sparked considerable controversy, as reported by Interesting Engineering on May 24th.
The Madrid City Council adds mango scent to asphalt but does not prioritize planting real fruit trees. (Photo: Euronews).
Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida believes that those with a keen sense of smell may find it quite interesting. However, not all residents are enthusiastic. Reports indicate that some individuals are overwhelmed by the intense aroma, with some even feeling dizzy and having to close their windows to escape the mango scent.
Many Madrid residents have expressed concerns about the council’s decision: opting for scented asphalt instead of more sustainable solutions, such as planting real fruit trees. Citizens find it strange that the city is not taking advantage of the natural cooling benefits of greenery, especially since summers in the city are very hot due to its distance from the coast.
Amid the fragrance debate, there is a larger issue regarding Madrid’s urban landscape: the significant decrease in green spaces. While the city council supports the solution of adding a mango scent, critics are questioning: Why are the natural cooling and aesthetic benefits of real fruit trees not being prioritized?
In the past two years, nearly 9,000 trees have been cut down, leaving many areas in Madrid lacking essential greenery. Given Madrid’s location, summer temperatures can be quite high, and green spaces play a crucial role in cooling the environment and mitigating the urban heat island effect. However, the lack of greenery in key areas forces residents to endure extreme heat.
Although Martínez-Almeida assures that replacements have been made, there are still concerns that the distribution of new trees is uneven. Most new trees are located in areas outside the city center, leaving the central region still lacking adequate greenery.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, trees serve as natural air conditioners, creating microclimates that provide comfort during scorching heat. In shaded areas, temperatures can drop several degrees Celsius compared to sun-drenched spots. A 2023 study conducted by the European Union also emphasized the potential of green spaces, indicating that increasing tree cover to 30% in urban areas could significantly reduce heatwave-related mortality rates.
