Biodiversity, climate change, work stress, mental health, learning and work performance and health care costs – green cities can contribute to solving many of today’s urban problems. Scientifically proven facts about the added value of green space are now bundled by Wageningen UR. De Groene Stad provides these fact sheets as free downloads.

Curious to hear five great proven benefits of ‘green in the city’?

• Crime in green areas is lower and residents feel safer than in areas without green areas.
• Greenery in the form of parks and public gardens increases the real estate value of homes by an average of 4 to 5%.

• An average city tree captures 100 grams of fine dust annually. This corresponds to 5500 kilometers driven by car. Other forms of green also contribute to air purification; a square meter of ivy captures 4 to 6 grams of fine dust per year, a sedum roof 0.15 grams / m2.

• 10% more greenery in a city reduces the heat island effect in that city by an average of 0.6 ºC. Around Kensington Park in London, a cooling effect of up to 440 m from the park was measured with up to 4 ºC.

• A study in Toronto found that people living in neighborhoods with a higher density of street trees not only felt significantly healthier, but were also significantly less affected by cardiovascular disease. Ten extra trees per street block ensure that age-related health problems occur seven years later on average .

More info? De Groene Stad is part of the European program “Green Cities for a sustainable Europe”. Projects realized iare aimed at greening cities. The program offers access to an experts’ network, scientific knowledge and stakeholders meet-ups.