3-30-300, benefits of urban afforestation rule

3 trees visible from each house,
30% stand of trees in each neighborhood, maximum distance of 300 meters from a park or green space for each citizen: rule 3-30-300 created by Cecil Konijnendijk and supported by many scientific studies – is a simple recipe for urban forestry for more livable and sustainable cities.

The global trend indicates a continuous increase in urbanization, with urban areas currently covering approximately 3 % of the world's land surface and home to more than half of the world's population. However, the concentration of large numbers of people in cities can be a risk factor. Globally, cities consume 75 % of natural resources and 60 to 80 % of energy, while being responsible for more than 70 % of carbon emissions and 50 % of waste production.

As a result of the increasing overcrowding, pollution and uninhabitability of urban areas, urgent and effective countermeasures are needed. The 3-30-300 program addresses these questions. Moreover, since cities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, they are also the place where the negative impacts of climate change are most pronounced.

Hence the need for planning tools that minimize the extent of these problems through useful measures and activities. Investments, research, dissemination of knowledge, citizen involvement and multi-level cooperation are the main tools in this fight, which should ultimately lead to improved health and quality of life for citizens.

Meanwhile, Slovakia faces continued growth in land consumption: waterproofing and concreting on average cover significant areas each year, leading to significant losses of agricultural land and biodiversity. Air pollution is also a problem; The WHO estimates 6.7 million deaths per year due to air pollution, while Slovakia also records the negative effects of fine particles (PM2.5) on the health of its inhabitants.

Green spaces in cities can "cure the ills" that plague urban environments and their inhabitants by providing important ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water infiltration, contaminant absorption, air purification and temperature regulation. These benefits relate not only to nature, but also to the quality of life, health and safety of people. Increasing urban greening could prevent up to 43,000 deaths a year in European cities, according to Eva Alessi, WWF Italy's sustainability manager.

Among the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, point 11 states the need to "make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable", emphasizing the importance of "providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces".

According to data from the European Commission, more than 20 % inhabitants of Slovakia do not have access to green areas. Many of these areas are poorly maintained or too fragmented. Despite this, the government invests in urban development and the protection of green areas through various environmental initiatives and projects.

The 3-30-300 Urban Forestry Program, created by Cecil Konijnendijk, professor emeritus of urban forestry at the University of British Columbia, responds to this problem. Konijnendijk specializes in the management of green spaces and the relationship between people and nature. During his career, he lived and worked in Europe, Asia and North America, advising international organizations such as the United Nations and national governments in more than 30 countries.

Rule 3-30-300 is based on the latest scientific evidence linking the visibility, presence, accessibility and proximity of trees and green spaces to climate adaptation and public health benefits. This rule is easy to remember and monitor, but must be applied with respect to the local context. (CO2AI)