Paving out, greenery in: this is why our cities need more trees

In the 32 larger municipalities in the Netherlands, more than half of the neighborhoods are ‘paved over’. That has to change, because more greenery in cities isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Trees create livable cities by providing clean air, cooling on hot days and reducing flooding. That’s why Trees for All is working across the Netherlands to green our cities: from streets and squares to business parks and hidden corners.

Why trees are essential in the city

Trees are multifunctional, making them essential in our neighborhoods and cities:

• On hot days, trees provide shade and reduce heat stress. Research from Wageningen University shows that the perceived temperature under a tree can be 9 to 13 degrees (!) lower than in full sun.

• During heavy rain, trees help prevent flooding. On bare ground, water disappears down the sewer, whereas trees store the water in the ground: a good buffer for drier times. 

• Without trees there is no oxygen and clean air. They absorb CO2, store the carbon (C) and release oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere. Aditionally, trees filter micro-dust from the air, so we can breathe clean air.

• Trees and shrubs provide food and habitat for plants and animals, like birds, bees, and butterflies. The loss of green space is one of the main causes of biodiversity decline in the Netherlands. Increasing urban greenery is therefore crucial to reversing this trend.

• Green has a positive effect on our health. A green environment invites exercise and recreation, thus reducing risks of being overweight, type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular diseases. Extra bonus: less stress and improved concentration, better memories and higher academic achievements for children.

• Green makes for attractive surroundings, appealing to both people and businesses. So, trees contribute to the economic climate as well! And going for a walk, or a spin on your bike, is a lot more fun in a green neighborhood, don’t you agree?

• Parks, public gardens and allotments tend to connect people more, resulting in less loneliness. And in districts where people are connected, the risk of degeneration, nuisance and crime, generally decrease.

In short, a city with trees is healthier, safer and better resistant to the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat and heavy rainfall.

More than half of our neighborhoods aren’t green enough

Despite of this long list of benefits, most neighborhoods in our country aren’t green enough, according to research of Natuur & Milieu (2024). In the 32 largest municipalities in the Netherlands, 1,104 neighborhoods are ‘paved over’, which is more than half of the total number of neighborhoods. In the four biggest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht) it even amounts to 70%.

This implies that less than 75 square meters of green per residence is available and/or that there are no uninterrupted green areas of at least one hectare. In short, in 2024 about 3.6 million people were living in a paved environment within the 32 largest municipalities. We would like this to change, of course!

Greening cities together

All over the Netherlands we are working to plant more urban greenery. Your donation helps make this possible. With your support, we can plant more (edible) forests, bird-friendly areas, hedgerows, and parks in cities. We also transform paved squares into green spaces, revitalize forgotten corners, and add greenery to business parks and main roads.

We are doing (and did) this in the municipalities of Amsterdam, Almere, Eersel and Bergen op Zoom. There are plans to reduce heat stress within the city of Utrecht by laying out cool spots: shady places with trees and shrubs. And we see a lot of opportunities in greening up business parks. Thanks to your gift we can accelerate these efforts and gradually make the Netherlands greener, step by step.

The right tree in the right place

You might be wondering: isn’t greening the city the municipality’s responsibility? Well yes, basically it is. But it is a highly complicated and gigantic job. Municipalities are willing to do it, but do not always have enough money and capacity to realize their greening plans. That is exactly where we jump in – thanks to your support.

Of course, we don’t just plant greenery random. We ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place. This means selecting tree and shrub species that suit our changing climate and have a positive impact on soil and biodiversity. We also follow the 3-30-300-guideline, a science-based approach for green cities:

• From every home or office at least 3 trees can be seen;
• In the neighborhood at least 30% should be covered by tree canopies;
• Everyone should live no more than 300 meters from a park or other public green space.

By following this principles, we help create green and livable cities, with less heat stress, reduced risk of flooding, more biodiversity and cleaner air.