RULES AND TOOLS -safeguarding neighbouring green space for human health and well-being

Background

The importance of nature for human health and well-being is established. Scientific reviews and international reports from the UN and the World Health Organization indicate that access to green spaces in the neighborhood is key to promoting people's health and well-being, and that the distance to the green spaces and the amount of green space are crucial.

But in times of urbanization and densification, the loss and fragmentation of urban green spaces is a fact. This can have serious consequences, not only for human health and well-being but also for biodiversity.

To prevent further loss of urban green spaces and to design residential areas that promote ecosystem services as well as human health and well-being, Sweden’s National Nature Restoration Plan proposes the development and implementation of green space rules and tools. Compared with many other countries, Swedish municipalities are active users of green space rules and tools such as the 3-30-300 rule and the Green Space Factor tool (GYF). But how effective are these measures, and can quantitative rules and tools ensure the quality of urban green spaces?

The project

In the project, we address, among others, the following questions:

• How can rules/principles such as the 3-30-300 and the GYF tool safegurard green space quality?
• What association is there between distance to urban green space and human health and wellbeing?
• Can today’s planning policy, characterized by compactness with small or sometimes non‑existent residential courtyards, meet the need for health‑promoting outdoor environments?

These rules/principles/tools are studied:

• the 3-30-300 principle
• The Green Space Factor tool (GYF)

The project tests, evaluates and critically discusses if and how existing rules and tools can help municipalities design health-promoting residential areas.

The goal is to inspire and guide municipalities in the planning, design and management of outdoor environments in residential areas, with a particular focus on the residents' health and well-being. The study will provide landscape architects and planners with arguments to use as support in the dialogue with stake holders and private developers.

It will also contribute to a debate about planning practice and how it can create living environments that promote human health and well-being. This is important for municipalities, regions as well as government authorities.

Publications from the project
Nilsson, Kjell; Nordh, Helena (2025) Detaljstyrning eller laissez faire? Krav på stadens grönska i svensk lagstiftning under 150 år. Tidskriften Utemiljö nr 4. Sid 46-55.

During the year, two master thesis projects related to the research project were also completed. The first, written by Lina Magnusson, is a survey and mapping of how the Green Space Factor Tool is used by municipalities across Sweden; it is available here. The second master thesis, written by Monika Benisch, examines the 3-30-300 principle as both an analytical and design tool; it is available here.
 

Project Update

Two years into the project, we are fully engaged in writing and analysis across the different work packages.

In WP1, we are nearing completion of the literature review and our in-depth examination of how proximity to green spaces is associated with health and well-being.

In WP2, we have completed data collection in the form of interviews and workshops with municipalities on how they use guidelines and tools when planning health-promoting residential areas.

In WP3, we continue our GIS analyses of green spaces in Rosendal and Kungsängen, focusing on the 3-30-300 principle. We have also begun interviewing residents in the two neighbourhoods.

During the summer, we presented preliminary results from the study at the World Planning Schools Congress 2026, held in Espoo and Helsinki from 29 June to 3 July.