Living in urban areas with more green spaces can lead to few mental health issues and enhance cognitive function. But, interestingly, the amount of green spaces required to enhance people’s overall health remains up for debate.
The 3-30-330 green rule requires 30% of the community covered in trees
The 3-30-300 green areas guideline and greater mental health have been compared in a recent study done by ISGloba. By this general rule, everybody should be capable of seeing at least three trees from their house, have 30% of their community covered in trees, and not stay over 300m from the closest green space and park. Cecil Konijnendijk, an urban forester, first proposed the regulation, and numerous other forestry professionals and urban planners have actively supported it.
The study’s results demonstrated a clear correlation between full compliance to the 3-30-300 green areas guideline and improved mental health, a reduction in pharmaceutical use, and a reduction in trips to psychologists, although this correlation was statically important only for the former. However, neither window views of trees nor access to green spaces were significantly linked to greater mental health in residential neighbourhoods.
Close to 43% of people live near at least three trees
About 4.7% of the people polled met all three of the green areas rule’s requirements. A little more than 43% of participants had at least three trees within 15 meters radius of their residence, 62.1% had a significant green area within 300 meters, and 8.7% resided in a neighbourhood with enough greenery around them.
Lead study author and Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative Director at ISGlobal Mark Nieuwenhuijsen said the study established that there were few green spaces in Barcelona and that only a small percentage of people met the 3-30-300 rule despite the associated mental health benefits. Therefore, the demand for greater green space for residents is essential.
There is a need to remove asphalt and grow more trees, which could enhance health, lessen the effects of heat islands, and help trap carbon. Nieuwenhuijsen added that any program leading to a greener city is a step forward.
