begrönna

Begrönna is a Swedish verb meaning to make something greener, typically by introducing vegetation or by adopting environmentally friendly practices that increase ecological value and visual greenness. The term is commonly used in urban planning, architecture, landscaping, and environmental policy to describe actions that expand green space, such as plantings, green façades, roof gardens, and the integration of green infrastructure. It can also be used more broadly to denote the greening of processes, organizations, or projects.

Etymology and usage notes: the word is formed from the prefix be- combined with grön, meaning green, plus the infinitive ending -a. The noun form begrönning is uncommon; Swedish discourse more often describes the concept with phrases like grön omställning, grön infrastruktur, eller växtbaserade lösningar. In sentences, begrönna is used to attribute an action to actors, for example: Stadsplaneraren vill begrönna innerstaden, företaget vill begrönna sin byggnad, eller kommunen planerar att begrönna parkerna.

Context and related terms: begrönna is most frequent in discussions of sustainable cities, climate adaptation, and landscape design. Related concepts include green roofs, urban greening, and biodiversity-focused urban planning. Critics sometimes distinguish between genuine greening efforts and greenwashing; careful use of the term emphasizes tangible ecological benefits and long-term maintenance.

See also: grön infrastruktur, grön uthyrning, gröna tak, urban greenery, hållbar stadsutveckling.