Global Cities Struggle to Meet Tree Canopy Standards

A study reveals most major cities fall short of the '3-30-300' benchmark for urban greenery, impacting health and climate resilience.

Research by RMIT University and the Technical University of Munich analyzed over 2.5 million buildings in eight global cities for tree canopy cover.
The '3-30-300' rule requires every residence and workplace to view three trees, be in a neighborhood with 30% canopy cover, and be within 300 meters of a park.
Only Singapore and Seattle met the 30% canopy cover requirement, while cities like New York and Amsterdam showed almost 0% coverage despite many tree views.
Inadequate canopy cover contributes to urban heat islands, exacerbating health issues like depression, anxiety, obesity, and heatstroke.
Experts call for urban planning reforms to prioritize green infrastructure, suggesting that at least 40% canopy cover is needed to effectively cool cities.