Skip to content

You are using an outdated browser

Internet Explorer is not supported by this site and Microsfot has stopped releasing updates, therefore you may encounter issues whilst visiting this site and we strongly recommend that you upgrade your browser for modern web functionality, a better user experience and improved security.

Upgrade my browser

Introducing the 3-30-300 rule: promoting health and wellbeing through urban forests

6 min read

Better Society
Source: Unsplash/ @nereamarti

The recommended “rules” are that every citizen should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from their home, with 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood, and everyone live a maximum distance of 300 metres from the nearest sizeable green space.

From concrete jungle to urban forests with the 3-30-300 rule

Urban forests provide a wide range of essential benefits. Current global challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in increased awareness of the importance of urban trees and green spaces. Scroll down to discover what one professor believes is the solution to a number of modern maladies: the 3-30-300 rule.

Current global challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in increased awareness of the importance of urban trees and green spaces.
Urban forests provide a wide range of essential benefits. Current global challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in increased awareness of the importance of urban trees and green spaces. Source: Unsplash/CHUTTERSNAP

the 3-30-300 rule focuses on the crucial contributions of urban nature to health and wellbeing

(Please note: The following article was written by Prof. Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch and originally published on LinkedIn on 19 February 2021)

Urban forests provide a wide range of essential benefits. Current global challenges, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have resulted in increased awareness of the importance of urban trees and green spaces. 

When working with cities, national governments, and international organisations, I am often asked for specific guidelines for developing successful urban forestry programs. I have mostly declined, because every city is different, which makes it difficult to set transferable targets across various contexts and settings for e.g., urban tree canopy cover.

However, the current state of research and practice, the urgency to green our cities and neighbourhoods, and the call for guidance from decision makers have made me to reconsider. While situations will always be complex and different, and guidelines are not written in stones, I would like to argue for a new rule of thumb for urban forestry and urban greening: the 3-30-300 rule. 

This rule focuses on the crucial contributions of urban forests and other urban nature to our health and wellbeing. It also recognises that we have to consider many different aspects of the urban forest in order to be successful. It also addresses the need for urban forests to percolate into our living environments. At the same time, it is straightforward to implement and monitor. Continued below…

Source: iucnurbanalliance.org

It also recognises that we have to consider many different aspects of the urban forest in order to be successful. It also addresses the need for urban forests to percolate into our living environments. At the same time, it is straightforward to implement and monitor.
The 3-30-300 rule focuses on the crucial contributions of urban forests and other urban nature to our health and wellbeing. It also recognises that we have to consider many different aspects of the urban forest in order to be successful. It also addresses the need for urban forests to percolate into our living environments. At the same time, it is straightforward to implement and monitor. Source: Unsplash/Rad Pozniakov

3 TREES FROM EVERY HOME

The first rule is that every citizen should be able to see at least three trees (of a decent size) from their home. Recent research demonstrates the importance of nearby, especially visible, green for mental health and wellbeing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have often been bound to their homes or direct neighbourhoods, placing even greater importance on nearby trees and other green in gardens and along streets. The Danish municipality of Frederiksberg has a tree policy that calls for every citizen to see at least one tree from their house or apartment. We should take this one step further. — iucnurbanalliance.org

The first rule is that every citizen should be able to see at least three trees (of a decent size) from their home. Recent research demonstrates the importance of nearby, especially visible, green for mental health and wellbeing.
Rule #1 – 3 TREES FROM EVERY HOME The first rule is that every citizen should be able to see at least three trees (of a decent size) from their home. Recent research demonstrates the importance of nearby, especially visible, green for mental health and wellbeing. Source: Unsplash/Chase Baker

30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood

Studies have shown an association between urban forest canopy and, for example, coolingbetter microclimatesmental and physical health, and possibly also reducing air pollution and noise

By creating more leafy neighbourhoods, we also encourage people to spend more time outdoors and to interact with their neighbourhoods (which in turn promotes social health). 

Many of the most ambitious cities in the world in terms of greening, including BarcelonaBristolCanberraSeattle, and Vancouver, have set a target of achieving 30% canopy cover. 

At the neighbourhood level, 30% should be a minimum, where cities should strive for even higher canopy cover when possible. Where it is difficult for trees to grown and thrive, e.g. in arid climates, the target should be 30% of vegetation.

Source: iucnurbanalliance.org

Studies have shown an association between urban forest canopy and, for example, cooling, better microclimates, mental and physical health, and possibly also reducing air pollution and noise.
Rule #2 – 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood. Studies have shown an association between urban forest canopy and, for example, cooling, better microclimates, mental and physical health, and possibly also reducing air pollution and noise. Source: Unsplash/Sophie Nito

300 metres from the nearest park or green space

Many studies have highlighted the importance of proximity and easy access to high-quality green space that can be used for recreation. 

A safe 5-minute walk or 10-minute stroll is often mentionedThe European Regional Office of the World Health Organization recommends a maximum distance of 300 metres (328 yds) to the nearest green space of at least 1 hectare (2.5 acres).

This encourages the recreational use of green space with impacts on both physical and mental health. Of course it will be important to work with local context, as the needs in e.g., lower-density suburban areas will be different from those in denser urban areas. 

But also here efforts need to be made to provide access to high-quality urban green space, e.g., in the form of linear green spaces that double as cycle corridors and walking paths.

Applying the 3-30-300 rule will improve and expand the local urban forest in many cities, and with that promote health, wellbeing, and resilience.

About the author: Professor Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch is the Director of the Nature Based Solutions Institute and Program Director (Master of Urban Forestry Leadership) at the University of British Columbia.

Source: iucnurbanalliance.org

The European Regional Office of the World Health Organization recommends a maximum distance of 300 metres to the nearest green space (of at least 1 hectare). This encourages the recreational use of green space with impacts on both physical and mental health.
Rule #3 – 300 metres from the nearest park or green space The European Regional Office of the World Health Organization recommends a maximum distance of 300 metres to the nearest green space (of at least 1 hectare). This encourages the recreational use of green space with impacts on both physical and mental health. Source: Unsplash/Sophie Nito
The 3-30-300 rule sounds good to us. Where is your nearest green space? Do you pine for pine trees? Does your heart ache for oak?
It’s a sign! A sign we need to live near trees! The 3-30-300 rule sounds good to us. Where is your nearest green space? Do you pine for pine trees? Does your heart ache for oak? Source: Unsplash/Mason C
Make an Impact

LET’S PLANT TOGETHER WITH LIFE TERRA! 500 MILLION TREES BY 2025!

Life Terra is a foundation with a mission to enable people to take impactful climate action now. We facilitate tree planting, educate future generations, and develop tree monitoring technology. Click to learn more and get involved where you are.