Contact with nature is essential for our physical and mental well-being, especially in an urban environment, where it is essential to have green areas nearby to find serenity away from chaotic routine and smog.
Cecil Konijnendijk, Dutch professor and member of the Institute for Nature-Based Solutions, proposed a simple method to evaluate the accessibility of these green areas: the 3-30-300 rule. Check by looking from your window: can you see at least 3 trees? This is a first positive sign. Next, you need to determine whether your neighborhood has at least 30% of its surface covered in vegetation and whether your home is located within 300 meters of a park or garden.
Naturally, for those who live in the countryside, answering these 3 questions positively will certainly be easier, while in the city most people are not so lucky. Yet having the right amount of greenery even in metropolises could really make a notable difference.
See 3 trees from each house
The first rule is that every citizen should see at least three decent-sized trees from their home.
As Professor Cecil Konijnendijk writes:
Recent research demonstrates the importance of having greenery nearby, especially visible, for mental health and well-being. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have often been tied to their homes and placed even greater importance on nearby trees and other greenery in yards and along streets. The Danish municipality of Frederiksberg has a tree policy that requires every citizen to see at least one tree from their house or apartment. We should go one step further.
30% tree coverage in every neighborhood
Cecil Konijnendijk recalls that:
Studies have shown an association between urban forest canopy and, for example, improved microclimate, mental and physical health, and perhaps even reduced air pollution and noise. By creating greener neighborhoods, we also encourage people to spend more time outdoors and interact with their neighborhoods (which in turn promotes social health).
There are already several cities in the world that are particularly ambitious in terms of eco-sustainability and have set the objective of reaching 30% vegetation cover. These include Barcelona, Bristol, Canberra, Seattle and Vancouver.
Konijnendijk believes that 30% is only the minimum: the ideal would be to aim for an even higher percentage for urban living in harmony with nature.
300 meters from the nearest park or green space
Also on this point, science speaks. As Konijnendijk recalls:
Many studies have highlighted the importance of proximity and easy access to high-quality green spaces that can be used for recreation. A safe 5 or 10 minute walk is often mentioned. The European Regional Office of the World Health Organization recommends a maximum distance of 300 meters from the nearest green space (of at least 1 hectare). This encourages recreational use of green space with both physical and mental health impacts.
As can be imagined, the green space will have to be designed according to the context in which it is located, because the needs of areas with low population density will be different from the more populous urban ones. For cities, for example, it could be an excellent solution to create more cycle paths and pedestrian paths.
The implementation of the 3-30-300 rule will improve and expand the local urban forest in many cities, and thereby promote health, well-being and resilience.
