6 July 2026

Question posed by Fabricio Costa

It has come to my attention that in Bonnevoie, near the playground located in the vicinity of Boulevard de la Fraternité, there are cherry trees bearing fruit, some of which are accessible from the playground. However, these trees allegedly are not marked with the yellow ribbon that is used to designate fruit trees where free fruit-picking is allowed. Apparently there are other cases like this, such as in the courtyard of the Centre Saint-Jean in Belair, where none of the trees are marked with a ribbon.

The use of the yellow ribbon is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture (Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et de la Viticulture). Municipalities, private individuals, non-profit organisations and businesses can use a yellow ribbon to indicate the fruit trees they own and whose fruit the public can pick.

According to the website antigaspi.lu, the City of Luxembourg currently has three sites where the public can pick fruit off the trees: in the Ban de Gasperich park, in Rue Plaetis in the city centre, and in Rue Jean-Pierre Biermann in Cents.

I also want to mention that as part of the City's drive to plant 30,000 trees by 2030, the counter used to track progress shows that 183 fruit trees have been planted to date. That amounts to 1% of the overall goal.

• How many fruit trees does the City currently have where the public is allowed to pick fruit?
• Can the College of Aldermen identify other places in the city where fruit-picking by the public could be authorised?
• Will the City allow residents to pick fruit in the places I mentioned in Bonnevoie and Belair, and will it use yellow ribbons to indicate that they can do so?
• What communication channels does the City use to let residents know that they are allowed to pick fruit in the city?
• How many fruit trees will be planted as part of the initiative to plant 30,000 trees by 2030?
• Is the College of Aldermen considering additional measures to promote orchards in Luxembourg City?

Response provided by Alderman Maurice Bauer

The City currently has some 630 fruit trees in the capital, but there are also "edible hedgerows", and we are currently working on creating "food forests". So we are at a little over 1%. We are in the process of determining the best places to plant the remaining trees.

In addition to the park in Ban de Gasperich, Rue Plaetis in the Grund, and Rue Jean-Pierre Biermann in Cents, the public can pick fruit in Merl Park, the new orchard in Rue Annette Schwall-Lacroix, and on the plot of land behind the rectory in Hollerich. As soon as the work on the Pétrusse Valley restoration project is completed, additional fruit trees will be planted there and the public will be allowed to pick fruit from them.

Up until now, the yellow ribbons have been placed mainly on the apple and pear trees in the autumn. Other fruits, such as cherries, plums and so on, were not taken into account.

We are deliberately refraining from putting ribbons on certain trees that are intended for specific uses. For example, the fruit from certain trees is used as part of the "Bëschspillschoul" to make apple juice. Other fruits are picked as part of the activities organised by the National Natural History Museum (Musée national d'histoire naturelle – MNHN) or scouts, as is the case at the Centre Saint-Jean in Belair.

We often avoid planting fruit trees near playgrounds, because the fruit can, for example, attract wasps.

Since 2024, the City's Service Forêts (Forestry Department) has planted around 300 fruit trees in orchards and in the form of rows of trees. The Service Parcs (Parks Department) manages the other 360 fruit trees. In 2026, an "edible hedgerow" comprising 400 plants belonging to seven different varieties was planted in Hamm. On sites located outside the city centre, no ribbons are attached to the trees, but people can pick the fruit there. An orchard will be opened in Cessange in autumn 2026, then another in Bonnevoie in autumn 2027; each one will have some 60 fruit trees.

We communicate with the public through social media, City magazine and on-site signage. For example, for the "edible hedgerow" planted in Hamm in spring 2026, information boards showing the different plant varieties and their uses were put up. In the centre of the new Hamm orchard, a biodiversity tower ("Lebensturm") has been installed to attract pollinators and other animal species, such as bats and birds, to help enhance local biodiversity and surrounding biotopes.

Since a fruit tree requires more space on the ground than a street tree, not all locations are suitable. That is why, in many places, we prefer to plant street trees.

The yellow ribbons are a wonderful initiative that the City is delighted to participate in. We will continue to plant fruit trees, in addition to many other trees.

Urgent question posed by Christa Brömmel

I asked this question at a time when Luxembourg had already been experiencing a major heat wave for over a week. The heat is especially difficult for vulnerable population groups, and especially children under the age of 13, who have a larger body surface area, relative to their weight, than teenagers and adults, and therefore have a harder time dissipating excessive heat. As they only start sweating at higher temperatures, they are especially vulnerable to overheating and heat-related illnesses. In consultation with the Ministry of Education (Ministère de l'Éducation nationale), the College of Aldermen decided to dismiss schools earlier than usual on the afternoons of 24 and 26 June. For children who could not go home, teachers stayed on to supervise them.

• Does the College of Aldermen believe that children should be kept in class as long as possible, to keep them from falling behind academically and prevent social inequalities?
• Can the College of Aldermen tell us how many children left school at lunchtime, and how many remained at school, on 24 and 26 June?
• What do the arrangements for teachers to supervise children in schools actually mean, in concrete terms, particularly as regards the number of teachers who remain on hand in each school, the criteria used to designate teachers to supervise children, and the activities or supervision that are organised for the children during this time?
• What percentage of classrooms and other school facilities are equipped with a heat-protection system – effective shade, air-conditioning, ventilation, etc. – that can keep the ambient temperature at or below 26°C? How many classrooms could no longer be used – because temperatures exceeded 35°C?
• Were the school buildings, classrooms and workspaces aired out overnight? This helps lower the temperature in the morning. If this was not done, why not? What could be done to make this possible in the future?
• The current situation is not an anomaly – it is due to the climate crisis which, in the future, will trigger four times as many heat waves, with rising temperatures. Warming is more intense in cities. In the short term, does the College of Aldermen intend to take steps to have outdoor sun-protection systems – such as rolling shutters, rotating panels or similar equipment – installed in all schools that do not yet have them, by the start of the next school year?
• Other than installing shade sails in a number of schoolyards, as stated in the multiyear plan, does the College of Aldermen plan to step up efforts to depave and green all school courtyards? Might it also consider installing water-spraying systems?
• What is the situation currently like in foyer scolaire buildings? Is there a heat wave plan? What activities are offered to children attending foyers scolaires?
• Why weren't classes at the Conservatoire and local music schools cancelled, even though some classrooms get especially hot in the summer? For which buildings are adaptations being planned in order to achieve a lasting improvement in the situation in the medium term?

Response provided by Alderman Paul Galles

I would first like to address the questions about the current situation, and then the City's strategy for mitigating the effects of heat waves, particularly through greening and sun protection.

The College of Aldermen believes that schools should continue to operate for as long as possible during heat waves, as doing so would help us strike the right balance between multiple objectives. When schools remain open, we can supervise the children, teachers can continue to teach their classes – even if this may prove to be difficult due to the heat – and, as Councillor Brömmel rightly pointed out, keeping all of the schools open is also a matter of fairness. On the other hand, we of course need to consider the nature of the buildings and the heat that accumulates in them.

To keep schools open for as long as possible – which logistically is also easier than cancelling classes because of a heat wave – Mayor Polfer and I decided that schools would remain open on Monday afternoon, but when temperatures kept on rising, we felt that other objectives should be prioritised, so we decided to cancel classes on Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon. Nonetheless, the schools were staffed, meaning that children could still go to school, but were not required to do so.

We have asked the Regional Directorate to send us the statistics on the number of children and teachers present in schools during the afternoons when classes were cancelled due to the heat, but we have not yet received them. According to my estimate, which is based on my contacts in the field, I would say that around one-third of the children were at school. As for the presence of teachers, what is most important for us as a municipality is simply that schools are staffed. It is up to each individual school to decide how that is done. There are different models for this: some schools require that all teachers be present; in others, during heat waves, it is the teachers who live farthest away who must be present – whereas in the winter, when there is black ice, it is the teachers who live closest who go to school.

The City has 95 buildings housing elementary schools or foyers scolaires. Of those, 73 are equipped with sun-protection systems. Twenty-two buildings are currently being upgraded. By summer 2027, 19 buildings will be fully equipped with sun-protection systems. The three remaining buildings are historic buildings, and some of them are listed as historic monuments, meaning that a more in-depth study is vital. That does not mean, however, that no measures will be taken for these buildings.

The Crisis Unit met twice, and concrete proposals will be submitted to the College of Aldermen. They reflect a three-pronged strategy.

First, in each building, we need at least one "cooling zone" – that is, a cooled room where someone who is not feeling well can retire to, or which can also be used by classes on a rotating basis. This should not be a classroom, but it could be, for example, a library that can hold a lot of people.

Second, buildings in which the heat becomes particularly intense should have several "cooling zones". For the time being there are no plans to put air-conditioning in all classrooms. The College of Aldermen still needs to discuss how we want to tackle this issue.

The third point concerns the activities offered. For example, schools are advised to take children on class outings to the forest – a bus will be provided if needed. A list of activities that are suitable during a heat wave has also already been sent to schools. Most schools have found internal solutions, such as water-related activities: water games, water slides and so on.

Currently, there is no data available on the temperatures in the different buildings. In the beautiful old school buildings with thick walls, the situation is less dire. As for the newer buildings, it is important to air them out in the mornings – the Service Maintenance (Maintenance Department) has given school caretakers instructions to this effect – and then keep the windows closed during the day. Buildings that are currently in the planning stages will be equipped with a passive cooling system – such as ice batteries – with the cold being distributed throughout the building by pipes. As for modular buildings (containers), we will need to determine whether it would be advisable to plan on installing an active cooling system.

The Conservatoire told us that it had decided not to cancel classes because of examinations and the many end-of-year activities scheduled. Steps were taken to keep the building as cool as possible, and occupants were advised to stay hydrated. Nonetheless, classes were modified and the Conservatoire used common sense, such as by holding exams in cooler rooms.

Urgent question posed by Marie-Marthe Muller

Many people live and work in our city, and it also attracts large numbers of tourists and other visitors. But our city also attracts many people seeking help. As such, the City of Luxembourg has numerous obligations – moral and otherwise – to both its residents and visitors.

The recent heat wave took a heavy toll on residents and visitors alike. I would like to draw attention to the state-run organisations located in the city. Abrigado, which is recognised by the Ministère de la Santé (Ministry of Health), is one such example. Wouldn't it be the City's responsibility to install shade sails on the site surrounding Abrigado in order to protect the facility's users?

Another example is the new centre in Rue Bender that will be the first stop for arriving migrants (the "screening centre"), which is expected to open in 2027. This service is currently located in Route d'Arlon, but it is not yet open 24/7, as provided for in the Pact on Migration and Asylum that was recently approved by the Chamber of Deputies. The residents of the Gare district will therefore need to cope with a new facility that will be open 24 hours a day, in a district where the residents are already complaining about an over-concentration of reception centres. I do not think this location is a good choice.

I would therefore like to ask the Municipal Council to hold a discussion on this longstanding issue of state-run organisations in the city, as it touches on different areas, such as infrastructure, transport and so on, in which the City has a range of obligations, but the main responsibility for which falls outside its scope of authority. Another example: residents who live on a main road and have been calling for – and rightly so – a reduction in the authorised speed limit must, for reasons of jurisdiction, get in touch with the National Roads Administration (Administration des ponts et chaussées). Residents, who are often foreigners, do not understand this distinction between municipal responsibility and state responsibility in Luxembourg City, and have a hard time accepting it.

• Since when has the College of Aldermen been aware of the plan to open a "screening centre" for migrants in Rue Bender in the former National Employment Agency (Agence pour le développement de l'Emploi – ADEM) building?
• Was the City consulted in advance?
• What is the College of Aldermen's principled position regarding the establishment of state-run organisations in Luxembourg City?
• How does the College of Aldermen intend to revise its position in light of the longstanding issue of state-run organisations in the capital that affect the everyday lives of residents, but do not fall under the municipality's authority?

Response provided by Alderwoman Corinne Cahen

The State is not required to consult us in advance if it decides to operate a service in a building that it owns. Incidentally, in this case we are talking about a relocation within the capital.

With regard to Abrigado, we have sent a letter to the Ministry of Health requesting that it ensure that there are fewer people who are squatting and using and selling drugs near this centre.

The fact of the matter is that the State is responsible for its buildings and its streets. Municipal autonomy is important to us. We do not want the State to decide everything for us. The City works effectively with the State and is in close contact with the various ministries, particularly the Ministry of Home Affairs (Ministère des Affaires intérieures). It is true that it is not always clear to everyone whether a street falls under the jurisdiction of the municipality or the State, but the various stakeholders must assume their responsibilities in their respective areas of authority and work in partnership with the other relevant stakeholders.

It is also true that we have many social service organisations in the capital. That is why I will continue to advocate the view that not everything should be centralised in Luxembourg City, but rather that we should strive for decentralisation: there are 99 other municipalities in the country that should also assume their responsibilities. As the capital, we are already doing a lot, but we cannot do everything alone.

Mayor Lydie Polfer

Regarding the building in Rue Bender, the City only issued a building permit for the renovation work that the State plans to carry out in its building.

Question posed by David Wagner

On 26 June 2026 I asked the following question: "Residents of the Hamm district have called our attention to a very worrisome situation in connection with the construction of the Hamm stadium, which is being built in the immediate vicinity of the nursery school and foyer scolaire.

Since the construction work began, the children have been exposed on a daily basis to considerable amounts of dust coming from the site. With the exceptionally high temperatures in recent days, the situation has worsened dramatically: dust clouds are engulfing the spaces frequented by the children, who inhale this air throughout their entire school day.

The parents are extremely concerned about this situation. Children as a group are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Repeated exposure to dust can cause or exacerbate:

• eye, nose and throat irritation;
• asthma attacks or other respiratory problems;
• allergies;
• a temporary reduction in lung function;
• among younger children and sensitive people, an increased risk of respiratory infections and other complications stemming from prolonged exposure to suspended particles.

Beyond the health considerations, this situation also raises the question of the public authorities' responsibility towards children.

It is incomprehensible to me that a project of this magnitude could be taking place just a few metres from a school without the systematic implementation of effective dust-reduction measures.

• Has the College of Aldermen been notified about this situation?
• If so, does it intend to take steps, or have steps taken – such as watering the construction site to limit dust emissions, installing suitable anti-dust protection or barriers, regularly testing the air quality around the school, and communicating transparently with parents on the steps taken – to safeguard their children's health and wellbeing?"

I have learned in the meantime that residents have finally received a response from the City. According to the City, the sites where the dust is coming from are supposedly being watered. Apparently, a 50 cubic-metre tank was installed, and another one is supposed to be installed next week, if needed. The question then arises as to whether this will be adequate, as the next heat wave will soon be upon us. It would seem that putting down tarpaulins would not be an ideal solution. The local interest group has received assurances that all the necessary steps would be taken. Then there is the question of whether the construction work should be suspended in the event of a major drought, so as to reduce any risk to the children's health.

Response provided by Alderwoman Simone Beissel

We care deeply about the health and safety of local residents, and particularly children. We responded immediately to the local interest group and the other residents, and took several measures.

The soil in Hamm is very crumbly and releases a lot of dust during droughts. Initially, a tractor fitted with a water tank was used to water the soil. But as the drought persisted, it quickly became apparent that this solution would not be adequate. The measures were therefore adjusted. Two heavy-duty lorries fitted with tanks are now being used to water the soil while the construction machinery is being operated.

Dr Fandel, the head of our Service Médecine scolaire (School Health Department), has analysed the situation. A study has been conducted to determine the exact nature of the dust in question. Dr Fandel has given the green light, because it is a simple, non-toxic dust that poses no risk to local residents' – and particularly children's – lungs or bronchial tubes. In Dr Fandel's opinion, watering the soil should continue, and schoolyards and areas around the schools should be cleaned more often to remove the dust. Under these conditions there is no risk to the children.

Specialists will visit the site tomorrow. In areas that have not yet been affected by the construction work, flowers will be sowed, and their roots will help to stabilise the soil. On the contractor's recommendation, lime – a substance that is also harmless – will also be spread to further fortify the soil. Let's hope that it rains again soon. Between now and then, we will do our utmost to prevent dust from forming, insofar that this is possible.

Question posed by Antónia Afonso Bagine

Many people are required to wait inside the Bierger-Center to complete administrative procedures. The waiting times, which can sometimes be quite long, are even more arduous than usual during the current heat wave, especially for the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, pregnant women, children and people who have very young children with them. The water fountain at the Bierger-Center has been out of service for several months.

The authorities strongly recommend that people hydrate sufficiently during extreme heat. Bearing in mind that episodes like this are likely to recur, I would like to ask the following questions:

• What steps has the City taken to ensure that the public can hydrate easily and frequently?
• Does the College of Aldermen plan to install easily accessible public drinking fountains at the Bierger-Center?
• Could the College of Aldermen provide a rundown of where drinking water is available in the city's other public centres?
• Could the College of Aldermen have drinking fountains installed in high-traffic public areas that currently lack them?

Response provided by Alderwoman Simone Beissel

Instructions have been given specifying that, in all buildings that are open to the public – such as Luxembourg City Hall or the Bierger-Center – everyone must have direct access to drinking water.

We are aware that the water fountain in the Bierger-Center is out of order. Bottled water is currently being provided, and people can also drink the tap water.

There are 62 large water dispensers installed in the capital that provide water for people and animals, such as dogs. In addition to the traditional fountains, we have also installed brightly coloured Pepino fountains at playgrounds.

We would like to install more water dispensers. Because of the heat wave, there are currently some supply-related issues – as is the case for fans – but companies are working flat out to step up production. A list of locations is currently being drawn up.