Over 78% of Walloons have access to a green space within 300 metres of their home, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Walloon Institute for Evaluation, Foresight, and Statistics (IWEPS).
More than 94% of Walloons can see at least three trees from their residence. However, only 10.6% of Walloons live in neighbourhoods with at least 30% canopy cover.
The 30% canopy requirement is the least met across the region, highlighting a general lack of trees taller than three metres in residential areas. Surprisingly, areas with the lowest percentages aren’t necessarily urban, but urban areas have the highest number of residents affected by insufficient canopy cover.
“Each of the 3-30-300 conditions contributes to physical or mental health benefits,” the report emphasises, citing scientific literature that shows vegetation improves air quality, reduces stress and noise, offers recreational activities, and regulates air temperatures, especially during heatwaves.
The Walloon Region advocates for implementing the “3-30-300” rule in living spaces. The report’s authors urge local governments to combine quantitative and qualitative approaches to better understand the current tree cover, its accessibility, and its effects, and to develop context-specific solutions.
Several Walloon municipalities, such as Liège and Mons, have already initiated greening plans.
