The 3-30-300 Rule is an innovative approach promoted by Dutch professor of urban greening and forestry, Cecil Konijnendijk, which seeks to integrate more nature into urban environments to improve the mental health of citizens. According to their research, the key is that each person can see at least three trees From your homehave a 30% vegetation cover in your neighborhood and live to less than 300 meters from the nearest park or green space.
A study carried out by the Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) of Barcelona reveals that living near green spaces can significantly reduce mental health problems. “All people who live near trees and green areas are less likely to suffer from mental health problems,” say ISGlobal experts.
This method, developed just a year ago, is designed to be simple and effective. However, its implementation in large cities is still limited. In Barcelona, for example, only 4.7% of the neighborhoods comply with the 3-30-300 ruleaccording to data from a study carried out in Catalonia.
The main barrier to achieving these objectives is intense urbanization. Many cities tend to cut down trees to build buildings, shopping centers and parking lots, which negatively impacts the availability of green spaces. Despite the demonstrated benefits, adoption of this rule remains low in many urban areas.
A report published by the University of Washington highlights that Contact with nature is associated with an increase in happinesshe subjective well-beinghe positive affectthe positive social interactions and a sense of meaning and purpose in lifein addition to a decrease in mental anguish.
This approach has been successfully adopted in several cities in North America and Europe. For example, in the state of Florida, USAand in areas of Gothenburg in Sweden, many neighborhoods comply with these indications. “Those who did comply with the 3-30-300 rule of green spaces were directly related to better mental health, less medication for anxiety and depression, and fewer visits to the psychologist”reports the study.
The psychological benefits of being surrounded by green are not a secret to popular wisdom or to the scientific community. “The simple act of sitting on a park bench to look at the trees gives us many advantages on a psychological and physical level,” confirm experts from the University of Washington.
Another study indicates that exposure to natural environments can reduce levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. This finding suggests that, with regular contact with nature, people can experience a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Additionally, studies have shown that being in a natural environment can be therapeutic. Some research works indicate that nature presents a protective factor in preventing suicide risk. This vision is becoming increasingly accepted and applicable in daily life, which encourages proposals such as forest bathing, a practice of immersive walks in natural environments that allows a deep connection with the environment through the five senses.
Despite the challenges, it is essential that more cities take steps to integrate nature into their urban environments, following the example of successful models in North America and Europe. These actions will not only benefit the planet, but also the health and well-being of people, a need confirmed both by scientific data and by the growing social interest in green spaces.
This approach does not focus on the material or psychological, but on improving our environment to indirectly promote our mental health and happiness. The integration of more green spaces in cities through the 3-30-300 rule It is a crucial step to improve both the mental health and general well-being of citizens.
