Study assesses European cities against a 3-30-300 green space rule, finding uneven access to nature.
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A study published in Nature Communications analyzed 862 European cities against the “3-30-300 principle,” which suggests residents should be able to see at least three trees from their home, live in neighborhoods where tree canopies cover at least 30% of the ground, and have a park within 300 meters. This principle aims to promote greener, healthier urban environments. The research found that while 79% of inhabitants in large European cities meet at least one criterion, only 2.4% of the population in Spain and 13.5% in Europe achieve all three. Data shows 57% of Europe’s urban population lives near a park, but only 28% live in areas with sufficient tree canopy coverage. The study also noted that northern and central European cities are generally greener than southern ones, partly due to climate differences. In Spain, San Sebastián leads with 34.8% compliance, while Viladecans is pioneering local efforts, planning to plant thousands of trees using a “sponge city” system for maintenance. Furthermore, the research revealed that wealthier areas in Spanish cities tend to have more urban nature than poorer ones, highlighting an inequality linked to climate vulnerability. Achieving the 3-30-300 goal faces challenges like dense historical infrastructure and the slow growth rate of trees; however, some cities are implementing solutions such as micro-interventions or adopting the principle formally.
