Turn the M30 into a green wall. That is the purpose behind Madrid City Council’s Calle 30 Natura project. It is a public performance aimed at covering the concrete walls of the M-30 with expansive linear vertical gardens. As explained by the mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, this intervention seeks to strengthen the city’s green infrastructure, improve air quality, and help the capital adapt to climate change while preserving urban life as a sustainable priority.
For the revitalization and renewal of a symbolic road like the M-30, the initiative aims to elevate sustainability policies and align city growth with better living standards. The mayor emphasized that the project is designed to harmonize urban expansion with higher quality of life and cleaner air for residents, workers, and visitors alike.
The M30 walls will offer a new look for Madrid, sustainability in practice, and a connection between everyday streets and nature. Madrid360 highlights the transformation as more than a visual change; it is a lasting environmental upgrade that reshapes the urban climate of the corridor—turning a traffic artery into a living, breathing green spine.
The mayor stressed that this intervention is not only about aesthetics. It is about reducing pollution and creating a healthier environment. Sensors will be installed on the vertical gardens to monitor air quality, capture data on pollutants, and guide policy actions to protect nearby residents and pedestrians as they move through the area.
The Calle 30 Natura project is a staged investment of 30 million euros. The first phase, with a budget of 3.8 million euros including VAT, will begin this week as a pilot. The initial focus is the Avenida de la Ilustración neighborhood, with 400 meters of M-30 walls prepared to host the green mass. The location spans between the Mariano Salvador Maella roundabout and the junction near New Zealand Street, where vertical gardens will start to take shape and redefine the landscape of the ring road.
Madrid City Council plans to launch the second phase of Calle 30 Natura in 2024, aiming to cover about 100,000 square meters of concrete along the ring road. This project goes beyond environmental improvement; it aims to curb vandal graffiti by introducing a vibrant, living surface that leaves a lasting positive impression on the municipality’s image and quality of life. It also serves as a catalyst for broader urban green initiatives across Madrid.
pollution sensors
In the vertical gardens, pollution sensors will be integrated to provide real-time feedback on air quality. The panels will display data about pollutant levels, enabling municipal teams and local residents to understand the environment better and respond quickly to changes in air quality in nearby streets and pedestrian zones.
The project includes a smart, accessible folding panel system designed to simplify inspection and maintenance operations. This system ensures that the vertical structures remain durable and easy to access for routine checks and repairs, preserving the integrity of the installation over time.
For the installation of the vertical gardens, functional vegetation types will be selected for long-term resilience. The plant screens will be highly durable, require low water consumption, and suit the specific environmental conditions of the M-30 corridor. An automatic irrigation and monitoring system will keep the vegetation healthy, with real-time data feeding decisions that maintain optimal growth and visual appeal over the years.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the intervention is expected to have social and urban planning effects. The green walls are anticipated to filter dust and pollutants more effectively, contribute to cooler street canyons, and create a more welcoming atmosphere for pedestrians and local communities who use the M-30 corridor daily.