29 November 2024

UK-first tool developed by Bluesky scores areas green credentials to aid urban planners

UK-first tool developed by Bluesky scores areas green credentials to aid urban planners image
Image shows how results can be presented. © Bluesky.

A new UK-first tool which allows urban planners to assess tree coverage and access to green space based on an influential new rule has been developed by Ashby-based Bluesky International.

Using its unique National Tree Map™ (NTM™) data, the Bluesky add-on can now be used to generate a score for different areas based on the 3+30+300 rule.

Introduced in 2021 by Cecil Konijnendijk, co-founder of the Nature Based Solutions Institute, the 3+30+300 rule has gained considerable traction with urban planners, and environmentalists.

In simple terms, the rule states that there should be three trees, 30 per cent canopy coverage, and green space within 300 metres of all residential and workplace buildings.

Using data from the new Bluesky NTM™ add-on, planners will quickly be able to assess the percentage of existing or proposed buildings meeting one, two or three aspects of the rule.

Good looks like all homes and workplaces in a given neighbourhood meeting 100% for all three of the rules.

However, a snapshot analysis of some of the UK’s cities using the new Bluesky tool shows urban areas are falling considerably short of this recommendation.

Using the add-on to analyse Glasgow shows that just 1.5 per cent of buildings currently meet all three rules.

There is also considerable disparity among the London boroughs with Bromley achieving the highest score at 10.2 per cent, and Barking and Dagenham coming in at the bottom of the table with a grading of just 0.4 per cent.

Ralph Coleman, Chief Commercial Officer at Bluesky, commented: 'We see our products as enablers and we are constantly innovating to ensure we can offer our customers tools to support them carry out their work more effectively and efficiently.

'There is a lot of interest right now around the 3+30+300 rule as it offers an excellent indication of the kind of conditions people need to thrive.

'Being able to accurately pinpoint areas for improvement via a desktop exercise that calculates all elements of the 3+30+300 rule is going to be very valuable for a wide range of customers, from local authorities and housing developers through to environmental consultants and health professionals.

'We believe we are now offering the only comprehensive, full national coverage analysis tool for this rule in the UK.'

Cecil Konijnendijk added: 'The 3+30+300 rule is an evidence-based guideline for the greening of our cities and towns that has rapidly gained popularity across the globe.

'I am glad to see companies like Bluesky provide essential support to municipalities and organisations who want to use this guideline for developing more impactful greening programs, in this case especially in the UK.'

The Bluesky analysis tool has been piloted by Aberdeenshire Council with positive feedback. It is now being made available as an additional tool for NTM customers.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner