The power of pocket forests: how the 3+30+300 rule is transforming urban spaces

Australia’s cities are growing rapidly, but with urban expansion comes a critical challenge – how do we maintain and grow green spaces that support biodiversity, improve community wellbeing, and support climate adaptation? The answer lies in urban greening initiatives such as community pocket forests and other evidence-based frameworks such as the 3+30+300 Rule. This principle offers a practical roadmap to creating healthier, more liveable cities by ensuring equitable access to trees and green spaces for urban residents.

The 3+30+300 principle, originally developed by Dutch urban forestry expert Cecil Konijnendijk, sets three key elements for effective and equitable urban greening.

The rule states that everyone should be able to see at least three large trees at any given time – whether it’s from home, work, or school. Visible greenery enhances mental wellbeing, reduces stress, and fosters a deeper connection to nature.

You might wonder, “Why the emphasis on trees?”
Trees provide more significant benefits than other types of vegetation in terms of cooling, air filtration, stormwater regulation, and mental health. Research shows that a single large tree can provide greater environmental and psychological benefits than several smaller trees, highlighting the importance of mature trees in urban planning.

Every neighbourhood should have at least 30% tree canopy cover to provide shade, regulate urban temperatures, improve air quality and enhance our mental and physical wellbeing. Acknowledging that the definition of a ‘neighbourhood’ can vary depending on local contexts, the principle allows flexibility in defining its parameters. Additionally, calculations of the 30% canopy cover typically include the entire land area, excluding landscape features that offer a distinct ecological role, such as large bodies of water.

Every urban resident should have access to a high-quality green space of at least 0.5 – 1 hectares within 300 metres of their home, workplace, school, etc. The 300-metre distance refers to the actual walking or cycling path rather than a straight-line measurement, ensuring no significant barriers prevent accessibility.

These spaces should be easily accessible, safe, and well-maintained, encouraging outdoor activity and social interaction and enhancing overall wellbeing. To be considered “high-quality”, green spaces should provide diverse vegetation, a mix of shaded and sunny areas, and opportunities for various recreational activities. Cities have flexibility in defining what constitutes a high-quality green space, as smaller, actively used areas can be just as valuable as larger parks.

By combining and implementing the 3+30+300 Rule, cities can ensure visible greenery, ample tree canopy coverage and accessible, “high-quality” green spaces for all urban residents. While many local government areas feature green spaces, their uneven distribution means some communities lack sufficient access to trees and greenery. These areas often include the most vulnerable residents, who are consequently excluded from accessing the essential wellbeing benefits of trees and high-quality green spaces.

If you’re looking to expand local greening efforts or simply curious about the principle, the handbook here provides a detailed explanation.

While large-scale reforestation efforts are crucial in restoring Australia’s ecosystems, community pocket forests offer an opportunity for small-scale, community-centred urban restoration that helps rapidly green our urban environments.

These small, diverse forests, inspired by and often planted using the Miyawaki method, use native plant species to rapidly regenerate ecosystems and complement existing urban greening and restoration efforts. When planted in urban environments, these forests revitalise abandoned or under-utilised spaces. Turning them into high-quality, thriving green spaces that provide shade, reduce urban temperatures, and provide crucial habitat for wildlife.

Below is an example of how a community pocket forest is helping to combat biodiversity loss and localised urban heat at the Eddystone Primary School, Western Australia. This community pocket forest is part of a Miyawaki research program funded by our organisation and led by Dr. Grey Coupland of the Harry Butler Institute and Murdoch University. 17 months post-planting, here are some surface temperatures measured on a hot day.

Since 2022, we have worked alongside local councils, nature-loving community leaders, scientists and environmental organisations to plant community pocket forests in public schools, underutilised residential space, degraded farmland and rainforests. This is what we have observed:

• Thriving mini-ecosystems created in pockets of just 100m². Around 30 native plant species are carefully selected and planted to reflect the vegetation that once existed before development. Across Australia’s diverse climates, most of these community pocket forests have achieved at least 80% survival rates. In just two years, some sites have recorded over 40 returning invertebrate species, showcasing the rapid revival of biodiversity.
• Remarkably quick establishment of community pockets forests planted in the tropical and subtropical areas of Australia. For example, our planting partner, Anna Noon, at The Groundswell Collective, has successfully transformed previously lawned areas into self-sufficient ecosystems in just 20 months, with canopy heights reaching up to 7.5 metres.
• Local heat mitigation has been evident across all forests, as shown in the infographic above. Revitalising under-utilised or abandoned urban spaces presents an incredible opportunity to reduce the urban heat island effect, making our cities cooler and more liveable.

You might wonder why we refer to these pocket forests as “community” pocket forests. The answer is simple: community is the secret ingredient to establishing a thriving pocket forest. None of these plantings would be possible without the support of local residents and volunteers, who play an active role in planting and maintaining these forests. We have witnessed individuals stepping up to take tangible climate action. We have also seen school children get their hands dirty, learning about nature outdoors and contributing to planting a legacy for future generations.

It’s this collective involvement and leadership that turns these small forests into powerful, community-driven environmental successes.

Despite the benefits of urban greening, many Australian cities lack adequate tree cover and accessible green spaces. Some neighbourhoods boast leafy, well-maintained parks, while others face a stark absence of vegetation. By embracing the 3+30+300 rule and supporting urban greening projects like community pocket forests, everyone can help make our cities greener. You can:

• Advocate for urban greening policies by engaging with local decision-makers.
• Talk about and share initiatives that promote tree planting and green space development with your community.
• Volunteer at local tree-planting events to help restore biodiversity and improve the environment.
• Plant native trees in your backyard to create a tiny biodiverse ecosystem at home.
• Start a community pocket forest project in your neighbourhood by getting in touch.

Our community pocket forests are growing, and you can be a part of it. Follow the link below for updates on our upcoming planting projects, free educational webinars, and other nature-positive news.