Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Over 2,000 residents signed a petition for more trees and green spaces in Antwerp, advocating the 3-30-300 rule. This initiative aims to enhance urban life and combat climate change, with the support of local leaders like Anton De Haan of Forum Humane Stad.
Several groups in Antwerp are working together to get more nature in the city. They have started a petition that 2003 people have signed. This petition asks the city government to focus on having more trees and green spaces.
They want to follow a rule called the 3-30-300 rule. This rule says that everyone should be able to see at least three trees from where they live or work. It also says that neighbourhoods should have at least 30% tree cover. They want nature to be an important part of city life for everyone.
What steps is Antwerp taking to implement the 3- 30-300 rule for green spaces?
According to the petition, having nature in the city is essential for a healthy life. The groups want Antwerp to follow the 3-30-300 rule. They mentioned that it can also bring people together and help the city deal with climate change. The organisations believe that adding more green spaces can make neighbourhoods cooler and better for plants and animals. They are asking local leaders to take action to make sure nature is part of everyday life.
“A city without greenery is like a heart without rhythm.”
Anton De Haan
According to Anton De Haan from Forum Humane Stad, many citizens want a greener city. He said, “A city without greenery is like a heart without rhythm.” De Haan urged the city council to take this idea seriously and make real changes. He mentioned that the petition, which has over 2,000 signatures, shows support for making Antwerp a city that values green spaces.
This petition shows that thousands of Antwerp residents believe in a future in which greenery is given priority,
says Anton De Haan.
Authorities mentioned that the draft for the 2025-2030 agreement has good news for the petitioners. The city government has added the 3-30-300 rule to its plans. Groups like Forum Humane Stad and Natuurpunt Antwerpen Stad want to ensure these plans lead to real changes.
They will watch progress in the next few years. Many neighbourhoods in Antwerp lack trees and green spaces. They mentioned that this rule gives the city a chance to improve these areas, which can help create a better environment for everyone. However, this plan will require ongoing effort and money.
A study by Greenpeace and Datalab shows that only 9% of buildings in Antwerp meet the 3-30-300 rule. Authorities mentioned that the biggest problem in Antwerp is that many green spaces are not easy to reach. Only 70.6% of buildings have a mini-park or green area nearby, which is lower than the national average.
Environmentalists mentioned that this lack of green space makes it hard for the city to improve living conditions and sustainability. Access to parks and trees is important for health and the environment.
Alderman Bachar cannot achieve this ambition alone,
says Marlies Lenaerts
According to Marlies Lenaerts from Klimplant vzw, improving green spaces in Antwerp is not just Alderman Bachar’s job. She believes that different city leaders need to work together to make real changes. She mentioned that Alderman Van Doesburg (N-VA) is important for keeping neighbourhoods and parks well-maintained. Alderman Jansens (Vooruit) is in charge of city planning and must include green areas.
Alderman Kennis (N-VA) connects green spaces with transport options. Local leaders also need to create plans that fit their areas. They highlight that without teamwork, Antwerp will struggle to fix its green space problems and meet the 3-30-300 rule.
The people behind the plan want more trees and nature in the city to get support from all city leaders through Alderman Bachar. They say that when a street is rebuilt, trees should be as important as parking spaces. The petition comes from Greenpeace and was done in 58 towns in Belgium. They also protect us from extreme weather, the group says.
