Resource description:
Yggdrasil – The Living Nordic City was a project funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, aimed at promoting nature-based solutions in cities and municipalities across the Nordic region.
The project focused on the 3+30+300 principle, a framework for urban greening that encourages three visible trees, at least 30% tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood, and access to high-quality green space within 300 metres.
Through comprehensive analyses of urban tree cover, green space accessibility, biodiversity and socio-economic factors, the project assessed the implementation of the principle across Nordic cities and identified opportunities for improvement.
The resulting report and handbook provide practical insights and recommendations for municipalities and urban planners seeking to enhance urban greenery, biodiversity, climate resilience and public health.
Author/Contact:
Publisher: Nordic Council of Ministers (2025)
Project coordinator: Trädkontoret (The Tree Office), Sweden
Authors: Cecil Konijnendijk, Clara Lind, Hélène Littke, Dirk Voets, Anna Oudin, Johan Östberg, Kalle Ågren, Gustav Nässlander, Gustaf Viita Adamsson, Poul Enger, Anna Maria Larson, Hanne Johnsrud, Ellinor Scharin, Petra Schoon, Wösel Thoresen and Emanuel Vogel.
Requirements:
- An initial assessment of existing trees, tree canopy cover and access to green spaces.
- A clear, long-term vision for trees and green spaces, integrated into municipal policies and planning.
- Consideration of local ecological conditions, biodiversity and community needs when implementing the 3+30+300 principle.
Advantages:
- Provides a practical framework for assessing and planning urban trees and green spaces.
- Can support urban biodiversity, climate adaptation, public health and equitable access to green spaces.
- Helps municipalities identify areas with insufficient tree cover or green space and prioritise improvements through gap analysis.
Constraints:
- Urban densification and competing land-use priorities can threaten existing trees and green spaces.
- Low natural tree cover and local ecological conditions can make the 3+30+300 targets difficult or inappropriate to achieve in some Nordic regions.
- Trees require time to grow, meaning new developments cannot necessarily meet the 3+30+300 targets immediately.
Uses of this resource:
The report can be used by municipalities, urban planners and policymakers to assess and improve urban tree cover and access to green spaces through the 3+30+300 principle.
It provides GIS-based assessments, gap analyses and recommendations to support urban greening strategies, nature-based solutions, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and public health.
The findings can help municipalities identify priority areas for improvement, integrate urban greenery into planning and policies, and adapt the 3+30+300 principle to local ecological and geographical conditions.
Partners:
- Trädkontoret (The Tree Office), Sweden
- Ekologigruppen AB, Sweden
- County Administrative Board of Västmanland, Sweden
- Lund University, Sweden
- Nature Based Solutions Institute (NBSI)
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- Trekontoret AS (The Tree Office), Norway
- Cobra Groeninzicht, the Netherlands
The project was financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
